Levi Eshkol, born Levi Shkolnik on October 25, 1895, in Oratov, then part of the Russian Empire (now Ukraine), was an Israeli statesman who served as the third Prime Minister of Israel from 1963 until his death in 1969. He was instrumental in shaping Israel's economic and military infrastructure and is remembered for his pragmatic leadership during a period of significant political and military challenges.  

Eshkol grew up in a traditional Jewish family in Oratov, where he received both religious and secular education. In 1914, at the age of 19, he immigrated to Ottoman-ruled Palestine as part of the Second Aliyah, a wave of Jewish migration to the region. He became deeply involved in agricultural and Zionist activities, joining kibbutzim and working on land development projects that laid the foundation for the Jewish community's settlement in the region.  

Eshkol was a key figure in establishing the Histadrut, Israel's labor union, and was deeply involved in the Haganah, the Jewish paramilitary organization that later became the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). During the 1920s and 1930s, he played a pivotal role in promoting land acquisitions for Jewish settlements and in fostering agricultural development in the region.  

In 1951, Eshkol was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Development in David Ben-Gurion's government, a position he used to enhance Israel's agricultural sector and settle thousands of new immigrants in rural areas. Later, as Minister of Finance (1952–1963), Eshkol was credited with stabilizing Israel's economy, promoting industrial growth, and attracting foreign investment. His tenure saw the introduction of the Israeli lira and significant advancements in infrastructure.  

Eshkol succeeded Ben-Gurion as Prime Minister in 1963 after a period of political tension between the two leaders. His premiership was marked by both domestic and international challenges. Eshkol's moderate and consensus-driven approach to politics helped unify the government, but his leadership was tested during the lead-up to the Six-Day War in 1967. Initially criticized for his hesitant military strategy, Eshkol eventually ceded military authority to General Moshe Dayan, leading to a swift and decisive Israeli victory.  

The aftermath of the Six-Day War posed significant challenges for Eshkol's government, particularly concerning Israel's control of newly occupied territories. Despite these pressures, Eshkol remained committed to his vision of building a strong and secure state. He was known for his focus on infrastructure, including the National Water Carrier project, which was instrumental in addressing Israel's water scarcity issues.  

Eshkol's leadership style was characterized by humility, pragmatism, and a commitment to social welfare. He was a unifying figure who worked to bridge divides between different factions within Israeli society. Eshkol died of a heart attack on February 26, 1969, while still in office. His death marked the end of an era, and he is remembered as one of Israel's founding fathers and a key architect of its early development.  

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Levi_Eshkol