ANT KATZ
The formal notice delivered by the embassy to Dirco today, read  “The Embassy of the State of Israel presents its compliments to the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, to all foreign missions and international organisations accredited to the Republic of South Africa and has the honour to inform them, with sorrow and regret, that Mr Yitzhak Navon, 5th president of the State of Israel passed away on Saturday, November 8, 2015.” 

The embassy opened a book of condolences this morning, at their premises, 428 King’s Highway, Lynnwood, Pretoria. It will also be open on Tuesday November 10 and Wednesday November 11, from 12:00 – 16:00.

Also in very formal language, the invitation ends: “The Embassy of the State of Israel avails itself of this opportunity to renew the Department of International Relations and Co-operation, all foreign missions and international organisations accredited to the Republic of South Africa the assurance of its highest consideration.” 

Who was Yitzhak Navon?

Yitzhak Navon was born on April 9, 1921 and passed away on Saturday November  8, 2015.

He was an Israeli politician, diplomat, and author. He served as the fifth president of Israel between 1978 and 1983 as a member of the centre-left Alignment Party. He was the first Israeli president to be a Sephardi and born in Jerusalem, then within the British Mandate for Palestine.

His four predecessors had all been born in, and immigrated from, the Russian Empire and had all thus been Ashkenazi.