Michael Eitan

Michael Eitan was born in 1944 in Tel Aviv. He studied law at Tel Aviv University and served as an officer in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Active in public affairs, Eitan served as Chairman of the Herut Young Guard and as a member of the Herut Central Committee. He was also the founder and director of the Kochav Yair settlement project and initiator of the Shivat Kochavim community settlement project.

Eitan served as a member of Knesset with the Likud party from 1984 until 2013. While serving, he was a member of numerous committees, including the House Committee, Education and Culture Committee, Finance Committee, Economic Affairs Committee, Science and Technology Committee, and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee. In the 13th Knesset, Eitan served as the Likud Deputy Parliamentary Group Chairman and the Head of the Opposition Bloc. He was notably the Chairman of the Likud-Gesher-Tzomet faction and coalition chairman. He later served as the Chairman of the State Control Committee, Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, and the Parliamentary Inquiry Committees on Polygraph Validity and Government Corruption. While serving as Chairman of the Subcommittee for Internet and Information Technologies during the 14th Knesset, he initiated the Knesset Internet site, becoming a pioneer in government digital transparency. 

In government roles, Eitan served as Minister of Science and Technology from July 1997 to July 1998, after which he became Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office until the end of Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. In 2009, under Netanyahu’s 32nd government, he was appointed the first-ever Minister of Improvement of Government Services to the Public, where he launched the “Digital Israel” initiative to modernize public services.

On November 8, 2024, Eitan passed away at the age of 80. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Remembered as a visionary, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar praised him as one of Israel’s greatest parliamentarians, known for his principles, diligence, and contributions to Israel’s digital and parliamentary advancements.

Sources: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Hezki Baruch, “Former Minister Michael Eitan passed away at the age of 80,” Arutz 7, (November 8, 2024). 

Photo: Used with permission of the Knesset.