BDE: Joseph Ciechanover, 90, OBM

Today, Joseph Ciechanover, a former General Counsel to Israel’s Defense Ministry and Head of Israel’s Defense Mission passed away. Although much of his work was largely unknown, Ciechanover played a major role in shaping Israel’s foreign relations and managing critical crises.

Starting from his time as Israel’s military attache in the U.S. in 1974, Ciechanover arranged private meetings between hundreds of Israeli military, intelligence, and government leaders and the Rebbe. He spent more time discussing Israel’s security with the Rebbe than anyone else.

Ciechanover generously devoted hours to discussing the Rebbe’s positions on matters of Israel’s security with JEM’s director Rabbi Elkanah Shmotkin. Many of these interviews were recorded with Ciechanover’s permission.

While most of the meetings between the Rebbe and Ciechanover were behind the scenes, JEM’s archives contain several photos:

The Rebbe encouraged Ciechanover about Israel’s need to secure total victory in wartime. During the Yom Kippur War, the Rebbe urged Moshe Dayan, through Ciechanover, to have Israeli forces conquer Damascus—not for occupation, but as a statement of Israel’s complete victory and a deterrent to future attacks.