Yehuda Avner, former adviser to Israeli Prime Ministers Menachem Begin, Shimon Peres and Yitzchak Rabin passed away on Tuesday at his home in Jerusalem. He was 86.
Born in the Manchester, England in 1928, Avner made Aliyah in 1947. He joined Israel’s Foreign Service in 1958.
Avner served as Israel’s ambassador to Australia and the UK. He also worked as a speechwriter for Golda Meir and Levi Eshkol.
He was the author of the book, The Prime Ministers, that described his experiences with Israel’s Prime Ministers.
Toby Press is set to release, in a few months, a new novel he wrote called, The Ambassador.
His son-in-law, David Sable, released the following very touching statement:
Dear Friends,
It is with deep sadness that I share with you the passing of Ambassador Yehuda Avner, Begin’s Shakespeare…an articulate champion of the Jewish people and the State, who took his last breaths, at home, in his beloved Jerusalem.
There is so much to say and so much to share and such a rich life to celebrate. Suffice it for now that he always saw himself as a Yerushalmi – a person of Jerusalem…not just from Jerusalem…and to him Jerusalem was a crazy mosaic that encompassed all of its inhabitants.
He was a true servant of the Jewish people…in his role as advisor to the Generation of Legendary Leaders of Israel he was never political, never took personal gain, never shied from conflict…with his bag always packed.. he went; listened, advised and wrote giving voice to the Prime Ministers he served and voice to our cause and our people.
The consummate Ambassador he represented Israel during tumultuous times and was respected by friend and foe alike as he brought his skills to the corridors of power and the backrooms of deals.
He was passionate about art, music, literature and theater and loved nothing better than getting seats to see the latest Opera at the Met or a private tour of the newest exhibition at MOMA.
His legacy is Medinat Yisrael, the State of Israel, to which he dedicated his life to building. His gift to us…his words… which will live on and continue to inspire future generations around the world.
So much more to share….a lifetime in fact.
With deep respect and love for my friend, and in celebration of a life well lived…
David Sable