Moshe Nativ (; born Moise Vegh; June 22, 1932 – September 20, 2008)
was
Israel Defense Forces
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF; , ), alternatively referred to by the Hebrew-language acronym (), is the national military of the State of Israel. It consists of three service branches: the Israeli Ground Forces, the Israeli Air Force, and ...
Major General and former head of the
Manpower Directorate.
Biography
Nativ was born as Moise Vegh in 1932 in a Petrova, a small village in central
Transylvania
Transylvania ( or ; ; or ; Transylvanian Saxon dialect, Transylvanian Saxon: ''Siweberjen'') is a List of historical regions of Central Europe, historical and cultural region in Central Europe, encompassing central Romania. To the east and ...
, Romania. His parents, Tzila and Yitzchak Vegh (), were
Orthodox Jews
Orthodox Judaism is a collective term for the traditionalist branches of contemporary Judaism. Theologically, it is chiefly defined by regarding the Torah, both Written and Oral, as literally revealed by God on Mount Sinai and faithfully tr ...
.
At the age of 3 his family moved to
Botoșani. At the age of 14, inspired by the
Zionist
Zionism is an Ethnic nationalism, ethnocultural nationalist movement that emerged in History of Europe#From revolution to imperialism (1789–1914), Europe in the late 19th century that aimed to establish and maintain a national home for the ...
movement, Nativ ran away from home and immigrated to Israel. He fulfilled his plan through the
Youth Aliyah in 1946. In 1951, he was joined by his brother and parents.
In 1949 he enlisted to the
Israeli Defense Forces. He served in various capacities in the
Armored Corps including: Operations officer of the
7th Brigade, Tank company commander, and Operations officer for the Armored Corps. During the
Six-Day War
The Six-Day War, also known as the June War, 1967 Arab–Israeli War or Third Arab–Israeli War, was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab world, Arab states, primarily United Arab Republic, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan from 5 to 10June ...
he acted as the State adjutant general under the command of
Israel Tal
Israel Tal (; 13 September 1924 – 8 September 2010), also known as Talik (Hebrew: טליק), was an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) general known for his knowledge of tank warfare and for leading the development of Israel's Merkava tank.
Biography
...
.
During the
Yom Kippur War
The Yom Kippur War, also known as the Ramadan War, the October War, the 1973 Arab–Israeli War, or the Fourth Arab–Israeli War, was fought from 6 to 25 October 1973 between Israel and a coalition of Arab world, Arab states led by Egypt and S ...
Nativ served as the assistant chief armored corps officer.
After the war, Native was transferred to the manpower division of the IDF. He served as the head of the division and later as the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel from 1975 to 1978. In 1978 he was appointed the head of the
Manpower Directorate, a position he held until 1983.
During his service, he completed his studies at the
National Security College. He received his bachelor's degree from Tel Aviv University.
Later years
After his release from service, Native became the CEO of
Hevrat HaOvdim. Native later served as the Director General of the
Jewish Agency for Israel.
In his later years Native served in many public offices including the president of the
Council for a Beautiful Israel, chairman of the board of
Gymnasia Herzliya, and the director of
IAI.
Native died on September 20, 2008; he was survived by his wife, three children, and four grandchildren.
References
1932 births
2008 deaths
Israeli generals
Romanian emigrants to Israel
Tel Aviv University alumni
Burials at Kiryat Shaul Cemetery
{{Israel-mil-bio-stub