LASKOV, HAYYIM

(1919-82)

Israeli military commander. He was born in Borisov, Belorussia, and moved to Palestine in 1925. In 1944 he served with the Jewish Brigade Group in Italy. He joined the permanent staff of the Haganah in 1947, later becoming commander of the Israeli Air Force. After the Sinai Campaign against Egypt in 1956 he was appointed commanding officer of the southern command of the Israeli forces, and in 1958 fifth chief of general staff. In 1961 he became director-general of the ports authority.