Avraham Ahituv
Photo courtesy the Shin Bet
Avraham Ahituv, former Shin Bet chief, dies aged 79
Ahituv spent over 30 years in public service after having joined the Haganah when he was just 16, he served as chief of the Shin Bet between 1974-1980
Avraham Ahituv, who served as head of the Shin Bet from 1974 to 1980, died on Wednesday. He was 79 years old.
Born Avraham Gottfried in 1930, Ahituv's family immigrated to British-mandate Palestine from Germany when he five years old. He studied at the Kfar Ha'Roeh yeshiva and joined the Haganah when he was 16, going on to serve in SHAI, the Haganah's intelligence service – which would later become the Shin Bet.
During his time with the Shin Bet he earned a B.A. and M.A. in legal studies, graduating with special distinction. He filled a number of key positions in the Shin Bet before moving to the Mossad in 1961, where he served as head of one of the organization's branches abroad.
In 1974 he was appointed head of the Shin Bet. He stepped down in 1980, retiring from public service.
After leaving the Shin Ben Ahituv became a member of Bank Hapoalim's senior board, where he stayed until 1995. He later served as director for Nitzba Holdings and the Israel Military Industries (IMI).
