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61-554: Mekorot was established as the " Ḥevrat ha-Mayim " ('Water Company') on 15 February 1937 by Levi Shkolnik (later Eshkol , Prime Minister of Israel between 1963-1969), water engineer Simcha Blass , and Pinchas Koslovsky (later Sapir , Minister of Finance between 1963-1968). Mekorot supplies approx. 80% of Israel's drinking water and approx. 65% of its water supplies. Mekorot supplies over 1.7 billion cubic meters of water to homes, agricultural fields, & industrial plants throughout Israel. The company provides water & services to

122-411: A Hasidic background , whereas his father Joseph Shkolnik came from a family of Mitnagdim . Both families were business-oriented and were owners of agricultural businesses including flour mills, industrial plants and forestry associated businesses. Eshkol received a traditional Jewish education from the age of four and began Talmud studies at the age of seven. In addition to his Heder studies, Eshkol

183-523: A comprehensive digital transformation of processes, in favor of fast, efficient, & secure flow of professional-business information, beyond paperless online work, & protection against cyber & other attacks on critical infrastructures, like information infrastructure. Moreover, the company continues to implement innovative water technologies, i.e. the deployment of a fiberoptic network in its water piping, while carrying high speed communications throughout Israel. The “Abraham Agreements” signing opened

244-623: A decade earlier. Ben-Gurion was unsuccessful in challenging Eshkol's leadership in the 1965 Mapai leadership election and split from Mapai with a few of his young protégés to form Rafi in June 1965. In the meantime, Mapai merged with Ahdut HaAvoda to form the Alignment with Eshkol as its head. Rafi was defeated by the Alignment in the elections held in November 1965, establishing Eshkol as

305-679: A drastic slump in economic activity. Israel's centralized planned economy lacked the mechanisms to self-regulate the slowdown, which reached levels higher than expected. Eshkol faced growing domestic unrest as unemployment reached 12% in 1966, yet the recession eventually served in healing fundamental economic deficiencies and helped fuel the ensuing recovery of 1967–1973. Upon being elected into office, Levi Eshkol fulfilled Ze'ev Jabotinsky 's wish and brought his body and that of his wife to Israel where they were buried in Mount Herzl Cemetery. During his first months as premier, Eshkol

366-473: A heart attack on 3 February 1969 from which he recovered and gradually returned to his work, maintaining meetings from the Prime Minister's official residence. In the early morning of 26 February he suffered a fatal heart attack. At his side were his wife and three physicians, including Moshe Rachmilewitz . He died in office, at the age of 73. Eshkol was laid to rest on 28 February at Mount Herzl and

427-704: A new business horizon for the company - in March 2021, Mekorot became the first government company in the infrastructure field operating in the Persian Gulf, signing a development contract with the Kingdom of Bahrain. In September 2021 the company completed the doubling of the water supply to the Kingdom of Jordan, & in April 2022 signed an agreement for the development of the water economy in Azerbaijan. Since then,

488-616: A prominent figure in Mapai's leadership, and was designated by Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion as his successor. When Ben-Gurion resigned in June 1963, Eshkol was elected party chairman with a broad consensus and was subsequently appointed prime minister. However, his relationship with Ben-Gurion soon turned acrimonious over the latter's insistence on investigating the Lavon Affair , an Israeli covert operation in Egypt , which had gone wrong

549-445: A wholly-owned subsidiary of Mekorot National Water Company Ltd. In April 2022, Lang was appointed CEO of Mekorot. During his term, Mekorot has been recognized as one of the 60 best water companies in the world by Global Water Intelligence (GWI). Lang was appointed CEO of Mekorot National Water Company Ltd in April 2022. During his term, Mekorot has chalked up numerous and diverse achievements: Mekorot has been recognized as one of

610-401: Is the same throughout the country, regardless of the difference in supply costs. In 2008, Mekorot established a central water filtering plant for water pumped from Lake Kinneret (The Sea Of Galilee). The company also improved quality control. As a result, water quality has improved and less chlorine is added to the water as a disinfecting agent. During the years Mekorot established at the site

671-543: The Mediterranean coast. Groundbreaking national project for transferring water throughout Israel, in all directions and collecting water from desalination facilities that were established along the coastal strip in the west of the country, to cope with the increased demand for water in the country. Groundbreaking national project for transferring water throughout the country, in all directions and collecting water from desalination facilities that were established along

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732-530: The Ottoman Empire . He first settled in Petach Tikva and worked in the setting of irrigation tunnels at the local orchards. In later years he would be recalled as an excelling worker during this period of time. Eshkol also quickly became publicly active and was elected as a member of the local workers' union. However he soon thereafter left Petach Tikva, joining a small group that was set to settle

793-723: The Second World War Eshkol advocated for Jewish enrollment to the British military . However, he confirmed with the Yishuv 's leadership and later joined the ideology asserting differentiation between the global front and the local front, fighting against the British Mandate . In 1945–46 Eshkol was representative of Haganah in the leadership of the Jewish Resistance Movement . In 1944 he

854-648: The Six-Day War . Eshkol was active in the Zionist movement from a young age, immigrating to Ottoman Palestine in 1914 and working in agriculture. He was among the founders of the major institutions of the Yishuv , most importantly the Histadrut and Haganah . Eshkol was treasurer of Hapoel Hatzair political party and treasurer of the Agricultural Center. In 1929, he was elected as chairman of

915-805: The Zionist Congress and was elected to the Zionist Executive, which made him an acting member of the executive in the newly formed Jewish Agency . Between 1933 and 1934, Eshkol was working in Berlin on behalf of the Zionist Organization and HeHalutz youth movement. During this time he negotiated with the German authorities over what became known as the Haavara Agreement . Upon his return to Palestine in 1934, he

976-507: The 60 best water companies in the world by Global Water Intelligence (GWI), the international organization that incorporates the operations of hundreds of private and public water companies. The company’s international operations were also expanded, advanced technologies were installed, investments in Israeli startup, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, were moved forward. The company also chalked up important regulator achievements in

1037-596: The Agriculture Faculty in Levi Eshkol's name, as well as established a research institute in his name in the Faculty of Social Sciences. Israel issued in 1970 a postage stamp with a portrait of Eshkol. In 1984 his image was chosen for the five-thousand old Israeli shekel bill, replaced in 1985 by the five new Israeli shekel bill. Since 1990, his image is found on a limited, yet circulated, minting of

1098-679: The British Open Judo Championship. Lang began his academic studies following his retirement from judo, earning a B.A. in economics and management from the Academic College of Tel Aviv-Yafo , an M.A. in economics and public policy from Tel Aviv University and an MBA with a major in finance from the College of Management Academic Studies. From 1999 to 2010, Lang worked in the Budget Department of

1159-641: The Knesset plaza on 28 February, prior to the funeral procession to Mount Herzl. Eshkol married three times and had four daughters: His eldest daughter Noa did not wed. From his second marriage Eshkol had eight grandchildren. His daughter Dvora married Eliezer Rafaeli and was the mother of three sons, including Prof. Sheizaf Rafaeli . His daughter Tama married Avraham Shochat , who succeeded him as minister of finance (1992–1996, 1999–2001), and had three children. His youngest daughter Ofra married Prof. Baruch Nevo and had two sons, including author Eshkol Nevo who

1220-523: The Middle East'. The special relationship he developed with Johnson would prove pivotal in securing US political and military support for Israel during the " Waiting period " before the Six-Day War of June 1967. According to Michael Oren , Eshkol's intransigence in the face of military pressure to launch an Israeli attack is considered to have been instrumental in increasing Israel's strategic advantage and obtaining international legitimacy, but at

1281-456: The Ministry of Finance, where his last position was deputy director of budgets. From 2010 to 2013, Lang served as deputy CEO, of economics, business development, regulation, and operator relations at Partner Communications Ltd. Lang returned to public service to serve as director general of the Ministry of Economy from 2013-2017. In 2018-2022, Land served as CEO of EMS Mekorot Projects Ltd.,

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1342-491: The National Laboratory, which can assist and monitor water quality. Mekorot’s operations achieved maximum utilization of the mix of water resources through various means. In the field of Desalination Mekorot supplies desalinated seawater, and operates 23 desalination facilities, including in the desert, which produce more than one million cubic meters of desalinated water a day. In the field of water recycling,

1403-603: The United States in May 1964. With Johnson's administration also represented in this case by national security aide Robert W. Komer and others, Eshkol signed what became known as the Eshkol-Comer ( sic ) memorandum of understanding (MOU) about Israeli nuclear capabilities . The 10 March 1965 MOU, which has been variously interpreted since, stated, 'Israel would not be the first country to "introduce" nuclear weapons to

1464-683: The area of Atarot (Kalandia). At the outbreak of World War I , fearing local hostility, his group settled briefly in Kfar Uria , Rishon LeZion and returning to Petach Tikva. In 1915–17 he was a leading member of the Judea Workers' Union . In 1918, he volunteered with the Jewish Legion and served in it until the summer of 1920. In September 1920 Eshkol was among the 25 founders of Kibbutz Degania Bet , making it his permanent residence. However, his public activity had grown and he

1525-627: The bronze medal in the European Judo Championships and seventh place in the World Judo Championships. He participated in the 1992 Olympic Games. in the past, he was an Israeli judoka . He competed in the men's lightweight event at the 1992 Summer Olympics . His highest achievement as an adult came in 1995, when he won fifth place in the European Judo Championships in Birmingham and a bronze medal in

1586-740: The coastal strip in the west of the country, to cope with the increased demand for water in the country. 2007 – Launching of the National Filtration Plant As part of its commitment to water quality, Mekorot builds the main filtration plant at the Eshkol site in the Beit Natofa Valley to improve the water of the Sea of Galilee before its flows into the National Carrier pipeline system. 2022 - Inauguration of

1647-518: The company operates nine waste treatment and water reuse facilities, which provide 85% of the water for Israel’s agriculture. In addition, the company operates more than 1,000 wells nationwide, some of which reach the depth of up to 1.5 km, to produce water from aquifers and treat it for drinking and agriculture. In other areas of Israel, Mekorot developed innovative technologies for capturing floodwater in different geographical regions. The company provides an integrated package of water solutions, thanks to

1708-487: The company signed agreements and memorandum of understandings in several countries, including France, Singapore, Morocco, Argentina, Chile and Italy. Since 2003, Mekorot has been ranked consistently in the highest financial strength rating (ilAAA) by the international rating company Maalot Standard & Poor’s. In 2019, Mekorot was listed at the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, after raising its first capital in

1769-485: The company’s history by issuing tradable bonds, accompanied by the publication of a prospectus. To date, the company has raised over NIS 5 billion while maintaining its high credit rating. Mekorot's CEO is Amit Lang , The chairman of the board is Yitzhak Aharonovich . Levi Eshkol Levi Eshkol ( Hebrew : לֵוִי אֶשְׁכּוֹל [leˈvi ʔeʃˈkol] ;‎ 25 October 1895 – 26 February 1969), born Levi Yitzhak Shkolnik (Hebrew: לוי יצחק שקולניק ),

1830-444: The company’s specialization in a wide range of areas, including advanced models for water management & operation, the optimal combination of different water types, seawater & water desalination, wastewater processing & water recycling for agricultural uses, improving water resources to the proper quality, security of water sources & more. Mekorot uses advanced technologies such as IT & OT & through them implements

1891-506: The construction of the first water lines to the southern Negev area as early as 1941. By 1947, more than 200 kilometers of water lines were active. Eshkol returned to serve in the Haganah high command from 1940 to 1948 and was in charge of the organization's treasury. He engaged in arms acquisition for the Haganah prior to and during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War . Between 1942 and 1944, Eshkol served as Secretary General of Mapai. During

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1952-418: The country's indisputable leader. Yet Ben-Gurion, drawing on his influence as Israel's founding father, continued to undermine Eshkol's authority throughout his term as prime minister, portraying him as a spineless politician incapable of addressing Israel's security predicament. As party chairman, Eshkol formed the basis for the Alignment in 1964, the formation of the unified Israel Labor Party in 1968 and

2013-549: The east. Water tariffs are set by the Water Authority. Tariffs are updated every six months according to changes in the Consumer Price Index, electricity rates and the average wage index. The rates vary according to use: domestic, consumption and services, industry and agriculture. Rates for industrial and agricultural use are lower than those for domestic consumption and services. The bulk water tariff

2074-570: The field of water technologies in Israel and around the world. As of 2024, Mekorot has contracted with nearly 10 startups and operates R&D centers in the water field. Mekorot's National Water Carrier , known in Hebrew as המוביל הארצי ‎ Hamovil ha'artzi, runs from Lake Kinneret (also known as The Sea of Galilee) in the north to the northern Negev Desert in the south. The system has been expanded to pipe water from desalination plants on

2135-577: The fifth water supply system to Jerusalem Inaugurated with the aim of expanding the scope of water supply to Jerusalem and the surrounding towns, including meeting future water needs in the region. 2023 - Launching of the National Carrier Flow Reversal Project   Delivery of surplus desalinated water to their destinations: strengthening the  Sea of Galilee, increasing water supply to northern towns and continued compliance with Israel’s obligations to Jordan in

2196-599: The five new Israeli shekel coin that replaced the bill. Amit Lang Amit Lang (born 12 October 1970) is the CEO of Mekorot , the national water company of the State of Israel. Before this appointment, he served in senior positions in the government and private sectors. Lang is a former Olympic athlete in judo and an Israel judo champion. In 1987, he won the under 18 world championship in Guttenberg, and in 1990 he won

2257-540: The historical building in Jerusalem that served as the former prime minister's residence and now houses a visitors' center in memory of Eshkol. Numerous national sites have been named after him: Streets and neighborhoods have been named in his honor, among them the Ramat Eshkol neighborhood in Jerusalem. Several schools are also named after him, including HaKfar HaYarok . The Hebrew University of Jerusalem named

2318-427: The idea of settling a good number of these immigrants upon newly founded agricultural farms, in order to solve their housing dilemma. He is noted as saying, "We didn't know exactly what to do with these Jews. Then we interjected from the counsels of our heart, and from the experience that we had amassed thus far, and said: A desolate country, a desolate people; these two things must cause one another to blossom. From this,

2379-516: The idea was born to launch an extensive agricultural settlement operation and absorb a large part of the immigrants." Eshkol was elected to the Knesset in 1951 as a member of Mapai party. He served as Minister of Agriculture until 1952. In the 1959 legislative election , Eshkol coordinated Mapai's national campaign with the local party branches. He was also appointed as chairman of the party's committee on social affairs. As internal party tension

2440-473: The joining of forces with Mapam to create the second alignment in 1969. Eshkol formed Israel's twelfth government in 1963. His first term in office saw continuous economic growth, epitomized by the opening of the National Water Carrier system in 1964. He and Finance Minister Pinchas Sapir 's subsequent "soft landing" of the overheated economy by means of recessive policies precipitated

2501-572: The national recruitment center, which laid foundations to the formation of Israel Defense Forces upon independence of the State of Israel, in May 1948, at which point Eshkol was appointed Director-General of the Ministry of Defense, serving from May 1948 to January 1949. During the time of mass immigration to the State of Israel (1949–1950), Eshkol headed the Settlement Department in the Jewish Agency , where he first proposed

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2562-609: The party in the elections to the Sixth Knesset (1965) and won, remaining in office for six consecutive years. Shortly after taking office, Eshkol made several significant changes, among them the annulment of military rule over Israeli Arabs and a successful journey to the United States, being the first Israeli leader to be formally invited to the White House . His relations with American President Lyndon B. Johnson greatly affected Israel–United States relations and later on

2623-547: The private & public sectors in Israel & to the Palestinian Authority & the Kingdom of Jordan, through political agreements. The company operates about 13,000 km of pipelines, 3,000 production & supply facilities, 1,200 drillings, 1,000 water reservoirs & pools and 20 desalination facilities. The company has accumulated investments of NIS 1.5-2 billion per year, & a three-year development plan. Mekorot's water supply system unifies most of

2684-528: The regional water plants, the National Water Carrier and Yarkon-Negev plant, and draws water from the Sea of Galilee, aquifers, boreholes, seawater, desalinated water, and brackish water. 2004 - Establishment of the WaTech technological entrepreneurship center For technological entrepreneurship and collaborations between Mekorot and start-up companies, entrepreneurs, academia and investors in

2745-405: The settlement committee within the Zionist Congress , taking a leading role in enabling conditions for new construction. In 1937, Eshkol founded Mekorot water company and was its director until 1951. Simultaneously, he held positions at the Haganah, at Mapai and as chairman of Tel Aviv Workers' Council. In 1948–1949, Eshkol was Director General of the Ministry of Defense and from 1948 to 1963, he

2806-465: The state funeral. Flags across the country were brought to half mast. Eshkol's body remained at the Prime Minister's residence in a symbolic lie in state , with an honor guard of the Israeli Police . On 27 February at 6:00, he was moved to the Knesset plaza, open to the public passing before the casket. An official state ceremony attended by dignitaries and international delegates was held in

2867-528: The time, he was perceived as hesitant, an image cemented after a stuttered radio speech on 28 May. Egyptian President Nasser 's ever-increasing provocations created diplomatic support for Israel. Eshkol eventually established a National Unity Government , together with Menachem Begin 's Herut party, and conceded the Defense portfolio to Moshe Dayan . In the year following the war, Eshkol's health gradually declined, although he remained in power. He suffered

2928-470: Was an Israeli statesman who served as the third Prime Minister of Israel from 1963 until his death from a heart attack in 1969. A founder of the Israeli Labor Party , he served in numerous senior roles, including Minister of Defense (1963–1967) and Minister of Finance (1952–1963). Eshkol was first appointed as prime minister following the resignation of David Ben-Gurion . He then led

2989-627: Was appointed Finance Minister and held that position for the following 12 years. During these years, he helped form the ministry of finance, establishing the Budgets Directorate and other bodies. In 1954 he completed legislation for the establishment of the Bank of Israel . Eshkol oversaw the implementation of Kaplan's 1952 economic plan, as well as realizing the Reparations Agreement between Israel and West Germany , which

3050-608: Was appointed as the Secretary General of Tel Aviv Workers' Council, remaining in this position until 1948. In 1947 Eshkol was appointed as a member of the two major defense forums: The Negev Committee that oversaw the administration of the Negev prior to the declaration of independence of Israel, as well as the general Defense Committee of the Yishuv's leadership. Later that year, he was appointed by David Ben-Gurion to head

3111-802: Was appointed director of Nir company, which provided funds to new agricultural settlements. Eshkol lobbied for a national water company from circa 1930 , presenting budget plans before the World Zionist Organization in 1933 and 1935. The formation of Mekorot water company was made possible in February 1937 under joint management of the Jewish Agency, Histadrut and the Jewish National Fund . Eshkol served as its director until 1951, overseeing its expansion in 1938 from agricultural territories to residential areas and

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3172-542: Was awarded with honorary doctorates by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1964), Roosevelt University (1964), Yeshiva University (1964), University of Liberia (1966) and Hebrew Union College (1968). Since 1970, Yad Levi Eshkol is the official organization commemorating prime minister Eshkol. It holds educational activities in his memory, maintains his papers and personal archive, supports academic research relating to Eshkol and, since 2016, operates

3233-678: Was chairman of the Settlement Department of the Jewish Agency . Elected to the Second Knesset in 1951, he was soon thereafter appointed to key government roles. Eshkol led the Israeli government during and after the Six-Day War and was the first Israeli Prime Minister to die in office. Levi Eshkol (Shkolnik) was born in the shtetl of Oratov , Lipovetsky Uyezd , Kiev Governorate , Russian Empire (now Orativ , Vinnytsia Oblast , Ukraine). Both his parents were Jewish , although his mother Dvora (born as Dvora Krasnyanskaya) came from

3294-490: Was engaged in a now-declassified diplomatic standoff with the United States that had begun in 1960 under Ben-Gurion. Eshkol worked to improve Israel's foreign relations by establishing diplomatic relations with West Germany in 1965, as well as cultural ties with the Soviet Union , which also allowed some Soviet Jews to immigrate to Israel . He was the first Israeli Prime Minister invited on an official state visit to

3355-421: Was growing due to the Lavon Affair , Eshkol was asked to serve as an arbitrator. In 1961, Ben-Gurion asked to retire as prime minister and recommended Eshkol as his successor. However, Mapai made Ben-Gurion stay. Ben-Gurion continued to lead Mapai in the 1961 legislative election but struggled to form a coalition and relied on Eshkol's negotiations with rival parties. Following the death of Eliezer Kaplan he

3416-776: Was named after him. Eshkol had three siblings. His brother Ben-Zion Shkolnik was a refusenik who made aliyah in 1964. Two other brothers, Lippa and Emanuel, remained in the Soviet Union . Emanuel Shkolnik was killed during combat in the Second World War while serving in the Red Army . Eshkol was given honorary citizenships of towns and cities in Israel and abroad: Philadelphia (1964), Chicago (1964), El Paso (1964), Tirat Carmel (1965), Kiryat Gat (1965), Nazareth Ilit (1965), Beer Sheva (1965), Beit Shean (1965), Afula (1965), Dimona (1967), Ashdod (1968), Jerusalem (1968), Petach Tikva (1968) He

3477-617: Was not only symbolic in its nature (following the Six-Day War ), but also supported by the winter season and difficulty of performing a state funeral at the Jordan Valley as well as the War of Attrition and possible security risk at shelling aimed towards the Deganya Bet region. The government's offer was approved later that day by the Eshkol family. A second government meeting that day declared two days of national mourning, until after

3538-415: Was often sent on various missions. In 1920, he was among the founders of Histadrut . He was also one of the founders of the Haganah . He was a member of the Haganah's first national high command (1920–21). As a delegate of Histadrut, he was an international representative in various gatherings and was tasked with organization of the "Agriculture Workers' Union". In 1929 he was a delegate for the first time to

3599-513: Was taught by private tutors in general education. In 1911 he was accepted for studies at the Jewish gymnasium in Vilna (now Vilnius, Lithuania ) and left his hometown and his family. In Vilna, Eshkol joined the students' association Zeiri Zion (Youth of Zion) and began his connections with the Zionist movement . He was elected to the local executive committee and, in 1913, joined Hapoel Hatzair following his meeting with party leader Joseph Shprinzak . In 1914, he left for Palestine , then part of

3660-453: Was the first prime minister interred at the Great Leaders of the Nation Plot . He was the first of either presidents and prime ministers of Israel to be buried at the plot, preceded only by Eliezer Kaplan and Yosef Sprinzak . Eshkol expressed his wishes to be buried at his Kibbutz, Deganya Bet . However, upon his passing a government meeting was convened in which the ministers expressed their support in his burial in Jerusalem. This decision

3721-405: Was towards its final stages of negotiation and signed in September 1952. In 1957 he began talks with the European Economic Community towards integration of Israel in its market, ultimately achieved in 1964 with the signing of the first commercial agreement between the two entities. In 1962 Eshkol introduced a new economic plan. During his term as finance minister, Eshkol established himself as

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