17 Facts About Mordechai Gur

Mordechai "Motta" Gur was an Israeli politician and the 10th Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces.

Mordechai Gur later entered the Knesset and held various ministerial portfolios.

Mordechai Gur was born in Jerusalem and later joined the Palmach Haganah.

Mordechai Gur continued serving in a military capacity with the founding of the Israel Defense Forces during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

Mordechai Gur was wounded during a counter-terror raid in Khan Yunis in 1955 and received a recommendation of honor from Chief of Staff Moshe Dayan.

Mordechai Gur brought over the traditions and attitude of the Paratroopers, raised morale, and helped instill an espirit de corps in Golani for which the brigade is still famous.

In 1966 Mordechai Gur was appointed as the commander of the 55th Paratroopers Brigade, which he led during the Six-Day War.

Mordechai Gur led several counter-attacks to reign in the terror attacks, conquering the Shebaa farms from Syria in order to establish a defensive position to prevent border attacks.

In 1977, Mordechai Gur warned shortly before Egyptian President Anwar el-Sadat's visit to Jerusalem that the trip might be a ruse to hide Egyptian plans for a war.

Mordechai Gur put the army on alert and was nearly fired for his lapse in judgment.

In 1978, Mordechai Gur guided a campaign in Lebanon to drive out Palestinian guerrillas.

In that role, Mordechai Gur was responsible for preparing the Israeli economy for times of war and crisis and interacting with the Jewish settlers in the West Bank and in the Gaza Strip.

Mordechai Gur hoped to one day be prime minister, but cancer halted his political aspirations.

Mordechai Gur died by suicide with a handgun on July 16,1995 at the age of 65.

Mordechai Gur left a note saying he did not want to be a burden to his family.

Mordechai Gur helped create the "Follow me" slogan of commanders in the Israel Defense Forces.

Mordechai Gur was played by Jack Warden in the film Raid on Entebbe.