Yitzhak "Itzik" Mordechai is an Israeli former general and politician.
14 Facts About Yitzhak Mordechai
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Yitzhak Mordechai served as a member of the Knesset between 1996 and 2001, and as Minister of Defense and Minister of Transport.
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Yitzhak Mordechai holds a BA in history from Tel Aviv University and an MA in Political Science from the University of Haifa.
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Yitzhak Mordechai remained in the military as an officer after finishing his compulsory military service.
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Yitzhak Mordechai fought in the Six-Day War, War of Attrition, and Yom Kippur War.
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Yitzhak Mordechai was decorated with the Medal of Courage for his actions during the Yom Kippur War.
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Yitzhak Mordechai was tried, and acquitted when the truth became known.
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Yitzhak Mordechai was promoted to the rank of Major-General in 1986, and became known as the "General of the Three Commands", after serving as commander of all three territorial commands.
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The First Intifada broke out in December 1987, when Yitzhak Mordechai was commander of the Southern Command.
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Yitzhak Mordechai retired from active service in 1995 after 33 years of service, when new Chief of General Staff Amnon Lipkin-Shahak did not appoint him as his deputy.
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Yitzhak Mordechai continued to hold the rank of Major General in the reserves following his retirement.
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In 1995 Yitzhak Mordechai joined Likud and was on the party's list for the elections the following year.
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On 23 February 1999 Yitzhak Mordechai left Likud along with several other members to establish the new Israel in the Centre party.
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Nevertheless, the party joined Ehud Barak's new Labor-led government and Yitzhak Mordechai became Minister of Transport.