Eliahu Elath
Eliahu Elath, born Eliahu Epstein in Snovsk, became involved in Zionist organizing before moving to Palestine in 1924. He studied Bedouin society and directed the Jewish Agency's Middle East section from 1934. In 1945 he moved to Washington to head the agency's political office. 1
On 14 May 1948 Epstein requested American recognition of the newly proclaimed state. George Marshall's reply informed him that President Truman had recognized its provisional government as Israel's de facto authority. Elath became Israel's first representative and then ambassador in Washington. He subsequently served in London and, from 1962 to 1968, as president of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. His books examined Arab society, Zionist contacts with Arab leaders, and the diplomatic campaign for Israeli statehood. 2, 1, 3
Washington Appointments
Historic Moments
- 1948 May 14 — American recognition. President Harry S. Truman recognized Israel on 14 May 1948. Eleven days later, Chaim Weizmann presented him with a Torah during a White House visit.
Sources
- Eliahu Elath (Epstein)
Full entry
- The Secretary of State to Mr. Eliahu Epstein, at Washington
FRUS1948 V part2, document271
- Dr. Eliahu Eilat
Former president profile
- Diplomatic Representation for State of Israel — incoming chiefs chronology
Actual archived HTML downloaded and gzip-decompressed. Page dated 8 October 2013 but includes Dermer credential row 3 December 2013. Records Appt. separately from Amb. E. and P.; keep both literal labels. Original https://2009-2017.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/94062.htm returned a Technical Difficulties page. Archive provides actual content.
- Former Ambassadors to the U.S.
Archived official roster, 1948–2006. It dates Shoval’s second term to 1998–2000 and Ivry’s term to 2000–2002, corroborated by the State Protocol appointment dated 18 January 2000. The supplemental JVL summary differs on this transition.
- Past Presidents of the University
Harman served as university president from 1968 to 1983, after Washington. Eilat served as president from 1962 to 1968 and was Israel’s first ambassador to the United States.
Biography checked 2026-10-28.
Cite or Reuse This Biography
Eliahu Elath. Chanceries Diplopedia. Biography reviewed 2026-10-28. Record d5e3907fc6484f19. https://chanceries.org/diplopedia/people/eliahu-elath-047dcdffe3/
Correction note
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