Eitam Efi (Fine Efraim) born 1952, kibbutz Ein Gev — Israeli military and political figure. Born into a family of repatriates. His mother, Ester Fine (born 1918), during the Second World War participated in combat operations in the 43rd Latvian Division as a nurse, and subsequently wrote in Hebrew the book “Hadas” (1988; Russian translation — Jerusalem: Aliya Library, 1990). Upon completing secondary school in 1970, Eitam was conscripted into the Israel Defence Forces. He completed officer courses. The infantry unit under Eitam's command was the first to bear the brunt of Syrian forces during the Yom Kippur War. Eitam was decorated for the courage shown in that battle. He commanded a company in a special forces unit under the General Staff. Under his command, the unit participated in Operation Entebbe.
He graduated from the University of Haifa, where he studied mathematics and political science; his military education was received at the British Royal Military Academy. He was promoted to the rank of brigadier general; in 1990, he commanded an armoured division and then an airborne division. The last commander of Israeli forces in South Lebanon.
Eitam spoke out against the policy of E. Barak's government towards the Palestinians and demanded decisive action against terrorism. After sharp criticism from many representatives of political circles, he was forced to resign in December 2000. In early April 2002, he joined the National Religious Party and at a meeting of the party's Centre was elected its chairman. The National Religious Party joined the national unity government led by A. Sharon, and in April 2002 Eitam became a minister without portfolio.
In elections to the 16th Knesset in January 2003, the National Religious Party won six mandates; party representatives joined the government formed by A. Sharon at the end of February 2003, and Eitam became Minister of National Infrastructure.