Reuven – a former combat pilot – was widely known and highly appreciated in Israel as a leading military analyst for Haaretz and as host of the program “The Security Strip” broadcasted on the very prestigious Israeli Army Radio.

With his thesis on „The Influence of ‚Decision Kitchens’ on National Security Decision-Making: The Eshkol Government and the Territories, 1967-1969“ in 1992, he had obtained his PhD at the Department of Political Science of the Tel Aviv University. From 1993 to 1994 he was a visiting researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Later on he taught at Tel Aviv University and Netanya Academic College. Moreover, he worked as a pilot for Arkia Airlines.

On the academic and journalistic levels, Reuven focused on missile defence, nuclear and other non-conventional weapons, the strategic doctrine of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) and various aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His publications and contributions to debates and discussions prove his wide knowledge of the subjects and a sharp analytical mind.

Reuven stood out for his intellectual integrity. He was not afraid to publicly criticize developments that he considered wrong in Israel’s foreign, security and defence policy. His criticism stemmed from a deep loyalty to his country. He was a great Israeli patriot refusing any form of aggressive nationalism. He was a citizen of the world advocating an open Israel with close connections to Europe and at the same time integrated into the region.

In the last weeks Reuven had contributed twice to events coordinated by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung: on April 6 and 7, 2014 in Istanbul, he participated in a joint Turkish-German-Israeli conference organized by KAS Turkey, the Bahçeşehir University, the Netanya Academic College and the Aspen Institute; on April 9, 2014 he took part in a conference in Jerusalem hosted by KAS Israel, the Geneva Initiative and the Netanya Academic College. This conference focused on key questions of the current peace talks and the regional implications of the establishment of a Palestinian state.

The study “The regional implications of the establishment of a Palestinian state” supported by KAS Israel and emanating from an EU project, serves as a lasting testimony of Reuven Pedatzur’s far-sighted political commitment.

We had yet many plans with him. We will honour his memory by continuing to work jointly with the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Strategic Dialogue for the implementation of his ideas.

Translation: Stefanie Friese