David-Zvi Pinkas
David-Zvi Pinkas | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Sopron, Austria-Hungary |
| Died | August 14, 1952 (aged 56) |
| Occupation(s) | Zionist leader, Israeli statesman, politician |
| Known for | Signatory of Israel's declaration of independence; Minister of Transport |
David-Zvi Pinkas (; 5 December 1895 – 14 August 1952) was a prominent Zionist leader and Israeli statesman. As one of the signers of Israel's declaration of independence, he held the position of the nation's third Minister of Transport.
Biography
Pinkas was born in Sopron, then part of Austria-Hungary (present-day Hungary). His education included secondary schooling in Vienna, yeshiva studies in Freiburg, and a law degree from the University of Vienna. He played an active role in Zionist youth organizations, serving as head of Young Mizrachi in Vienna and helping to establish the Yeshuran movement.
In 1923, he participated as a delegate at the thirteenth Zionist Congress. Two years later, in 1925, he immigrated to Mandatory Palestine. By 1932, Pinkas had taken on the role of director at Bank Mizrahi and was elected to the Tel Aviv city council. He advanced to lead the city's education department by 1935.
Political career
In 1944, Pinkas became a member of the Assembly of Representatives and subsequently joined the Jewish National Council's executive body from 1947 until 1948. He was among the signatories of Israel’s declaration of independence and played a leadership role on the security committee throughout the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict.
Following Israel’s establishment, he served on the Provisional State Council, managing regulations related to its committees. In the 1949 elections, he secured a seat in the Knesset as part of the United Religious Front—a coalition that included his Mizrachi party—and chaired the finance committee while also being appointed Deputy Mayor of Tel Aviv in 1950.
During the 1951 elections, Mizrachi competed independently and won two Knesset seats, with Pinkas retaining his position. Upon his appointment as Minister of Transport, he maintained his finance committee chairmanship and implemented a policy suspending public transportation services on Shabbat.
Death
In June 1952, an explosive device was placed at his residence by Amos Kenan and Shaltiel Ben Yair; although Pinkas survived this assassination attempt, he passed away two months later due to a heart attack. His final resting place is in Trumpeldor Cemetery in Tel Aviv. The neighborhood Ramat Pinkas bears his name as a tribute.