State Comptroller and Ombudsman of Israel (1961-1981)
Yitzhak Ernst Nebenzahl (1907-1992) was the State Comptroller of the State of Israel and served in this role for 20 years - 1961-1981. In 1971, following an amendment to the State Comptroller Law, he became the first State Comptroller who served as the Ombudsman as well. In 1965, Nebenzahl served as the fifth president of the international congress of INTOSAI, the international organization of the supreme audit institutions, held in Jerusalem - and in 1965-1968, was a member of the INTOSAI's board of directors and the first chairperson.
Family Background
Yitzhak Ernst Nebenzahl was born on October 24th, 1907 to Beila and Akiva Yehuda HaLevi Nebenzahl in Frankfurt, Germany. He was married to Helda and had four children.
State Comptroller Nebenzahl with President Shazar and Prime Minister Meir. Photo: Fritz Cohen, Government Press Office
Education & Military Service
In 1929, Nebenzahl was granted a Ph.D in Law from the University of Frankfurt and started his career as a lecturer in the field of civil law. A year later, in 1930, he also worked as a law professor (emeritus) at Berlin and Freiburg Universities. In 1933, he immigrated to Israel and during the War of Independence served as an officer in IDF's General Staff.
Professional Background
Prior to his appointment as State Comptroller, Nebenzahl had fulfilled a variety of roles including - the legal advisor of Yefet Bank (1933-1946), the chair of the board of directors of Hollander & Co. company (1947-1961), the director of the Jerusalem Development Division of the Jewish Agency (1948-1950), the director of Jerusalem Economy LTD (1948-1961), The chair of Postal Bank (1954-1961), member of Bank Leumi's board of directors (1956-1961) and the chair of Bank of Israel's Advisory Committee and Advisory Council (1957-1961).
Professional Background
Nebenzahl served as a member in several national commissions of inquiry, including the Agranat Commission that investigated the Yom Kippur War. Prior to his immigration toIsrael, Nebenzahl was an activist in the Zionist Academics Association and was the head of the orthodox youth movement - Ezra in Germany.
Yitzhak Ernst Nebenzahl passed away on December 18th, 1992.
