Shamir, Yitzhak Yernitsky

Polish-born Israeli right-wing politician; prime minister 1983–84 and 1986–92; leader of the Likud (Consolidation Party) until 1993. He was foreign minister under Menachem Begin 1980–83, and again foreign minister in Shimon Peres's unity government 1984–86.

In October 1986, he and Peres exchanged positions, Shamir becoming prime minister and Peres taking over as foreign minister. Shamir was re-elected 1989 and formed a new coalition government with Peres; this broke up in 1990 and Shamir then formed a government without Labour membership and with religious support. He was a leader of the Stern Gang of guerrillas 1940–48 during the British mandate rule of Palestine.