(Sunday, 23 February) Ambassador Shlomo Argov, who was wounded in London by terrorist gunfire on June 3, 1982, died in Jerusalem's Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital this morning.
Argov was critically wounded on the night of June 3, 1982 when terrorists from the Abu Nidal group of the PLO shot him outside London's Dorchester Hotel. The assassins' bullets left Argov hospitalized and permanently incapacitated at the age of 52. The next day Israeli jets bombed PLO ammunition depots and training bases. This triggered a massive PLO bombardment against Israel's northern settlements, causing extensive damage and loss of life.
On June 6, the IDF launched Operation Peace for the Galilee with the purpose of removing the threat to Israel's northern settlements.
Shlomo Argov was born in Jerusalem, a seventh generation native of the Holy City. He studied in Washington and London and joined Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1959. A senior and distinguished diplomat, he served as Ambassador to Mexico and the Netherlands before assuming his position as Ambassador to the Court of St. James in 1979.
A gifted orator and wordsmith, Argov was an eloquent and highly respected advocate of Israel's cause, and of its rightful place among the nations. Few were those who knew him or encountered his ideas who were not moved and inspired to work with him to bring understanding and peace to Israel and its neighbors.
Funeral arrangements to be announced.
Argov was critically wounded on the night of June 3, 1982 when terrorists from the Abu Nidal group of the PLO shot him outside London's Dorchester Hotel. The assassins' bullets left Argov hospitalized and permanently incapacitated at the age of 52. The next day Israeli jets bombed PLO ammunition depots and training bases. This triggered a massive PLO bombardment against Israel's northern settlements, causing extensive damage and loss of life.
On June 6, the IDF launched Operation Peace for the Galilee with the purpose of removing the threat to Israel's northern settlements.
Shlomo Argov was born in Jerusalem, a seventh generation native of the Holy City. He studied in Washington and London and joined Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1959. A senior and distinguished diplomat, he served as Ambassador to Mexico and the Netherlands before assuming his position as Ambassador to the Court of St. James in 1979.
A gifted orator and wordsmith, Argov was an eloquent and highly respected advocate of Israel's cause, and of its rightful place among the nations. Few were those who knew him or encountered his ideas who were not moved and inspired to work with him to bring understanding and peace to Israel and its neighbors.
Funeral arrangements to be announced.