"A brave man dies once, a coward dies every day" • Philosophy, art and a lot of friends in the mayoral race - a visit to David Etzioni's house

(I live here too) - David Etzioni grew up in a house with an extensive Haifa heritage, spanning several generations. Like his father and grandfather, he also studied law, but his path, intertwined with many personal ties and friendships, leads him on a permanent path to engage in action. Now he is in the middle of the race for mayor of Haifa. In order to get to know David Etzioni, the person behind the public figure, we visited his residence.

The government changed, David did not

Recently, despite the changes in the government and the exchange of ministers, the deputy director general remained in his position. Attorney David Etzioni was among the few senior officials who remained in their position even after the change of government, this at the request of the new minister, Yitzhak Goldknopf, and despite being appointed during the tenure of minister Ze'ev Elkin.

However, at the beginning of this month (May 2023), Etzioni ended his position, since he was facing the competition for mayor of Haifa, in the elections that will be held at the end of October.

I live here too

Here is the section that brings you fascinating Haifa characters in their homes - where the introduction is through the stories, the charges and the unique point of view of the people who make up the human mosaic of our city Haifa. In other words, this is life and living here - just like the name of the section - "I also live here".

We will continue with the familiarization sessions with the character of the candidates for mayor of Haifa - this time the section is hosted at the house of attorney David Etzioni.

Water wars and football

David describes a happy and happy childhood on Mount Carmel. He was born in Haifa (1983) to a teacher mother and a lawyer father, he has a brother a year younger than him who is currently engaged in financial management and lives in Tel Aviv. He studied at the Reali school from XNUMXst to XNUMXth grade, and spent the hours after school with his friends outside, in the streets.

Etzioni tells of a time when all the children played in the street in "water wars", or in tree houses in the Wadi, and in general, he testifies that he was "a rather naughty boy." He spent only two or three years in the scout movement, as he always preferred the football field.

"How fun it is to have lots of friends"

David did his military service in the "Sting Unit" - the canine unit of the IDF, whose duties include the use of dogs for military use in designated missions. The unit's fighters are commando fighters who carry out routine and emergency operational activities, all while using a unique weapon - a dog .

These dogs have operational advantages that have no substitute, human or technological. The symbol of the unit is a dog crowned with wings. David describes the IDF service as particularly interesting (during which he was even accidentally injured), in which he made "great friends", all of whom maintain a warm and close relationship to this day. In general, according to him, "friendship" is a supreme value, which is why, everywhere To whom he reaches, he 'makes friends'. Or in his words: "When there are friends - every door opens more simply!".

Value - not just a profession

At the beginning of his professional career, Etzioni was the owner of a public relations company that also engaged in the production of parties and nightlife in Haifa. But as required in a family where law is a value and not just a profession - the elem wandered into the academic world in order to return with an "appropriate certificate".

As mentioned, his father Jacob is a veteran attorney himself, and even his grandfather, Moshe Etzioni (Klapholtz) was a judge of the Supreme Court, who after his retirement served as the president of the Supreme Zionist Court! It will not be surprising where David found himself, within about two days, as D from the quorum used in his father's office.

a man of the people

The germ that resides in him, being a "man of the people" did not allow David to persevere as a "regular" attorney, and so he turned to public positions where he sought the emphasis on doing the essence of giving. Until his appointment to the position of Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Housing, Etzioni served as Deputy Mayor of Haifa and as Deputy Chairman of the National Fund for Israel, as well as Chairman of the Land Development Manager Committee.

By virtue of his responsibility as Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Construction and Housing, Etzioni was responsible for the Ministry's Minorities Division, for the management of foreign workers in the construction industry, including the reintegration of Palestinian workers, as their number is increasing.

Officials in the Ministry of Housing favorably note Etzioni's skills, his ability to work in full cooperation with all the officials in his own ministry and with counterparts in other government ministries. These point out that his extensive experience, his familiarity with the local government, with the ministries of finance and transportation and with the decision-making processes, brought his work to significant achievements.

good people

However, despite all this, from an Etzioni point of view, there is no place in the entire country as fine as Haifa. For him, Haifa is not only the geographical place, but especially the people in it. In Haifa, according to him, there is a crowd of good people who have a calm mindset. The character of the people of the city is not in terms of "shuponi" and excessive pride. This is a city that runs like a kibbutz, he says, and by the looks of it - everyone knows their neighbors, the atmosphere is family and the relations between the communities (for the most part) are good.

Mine and the girls

David is married to Shelly, who graduated from the Technion and is now a Doctor of Transportation. Shelly owns an independent office that advises a variety of agencies. Her specialty is in the field of automated transportation, i.e. - driverless vehicles. The Etzioni couple met when Shelly was 21 and David was 25, and since then They are together. They have two daughters - the eldest is 6 years old and the youngest is six months old.

Until about a year ago, the two lived in the Neve Shanan neighborhood, but with the expansion of the family, they moved to their current residence, in a quiet area, near a school and the girls' kindergartens. The building is not new, so it will undergo a renovation that will include the addition of an elevator. The Etzioni couple's apartment has already been renovated into Talpiot, with the help of the architect Liad Brickman Ziv.

the balcony

For the past two years Etzioni worked in Jerusalem and hardly enjoyed the comforts of his home and family. But as soon as he arrives at the property, he likes the renovated and spacious shower, since in their previous apartment they shared a shower "the size of a stamp".

Another place in the apartment where David often stays, especially on holidays and Saturdays, is the balcony adjacent to the central room, now decorated with a large sign for the local elections. The "Veranda" has four air directions, and the silence in it is absolute, ideal in the current weather and where he spends a calm time to himself.

Barcelona's cup of coffee

Until recently, David used to drink his morning coffee in a special cup that was reserved exclusively for him (in the case of Archie Banker's cup). But, about a week ago, the glass, which was decorated with the symbol of the excellent football team, Barcelona, ​​was broken.

artificial intelligence

A huge television is fixed on the guest room wall, another one is also in the bedroom. Although he describes himself as an optimistic, positive and "thick-skinned" person, he is capable, according to him, of tears when watching an exciting movie or series. But most of all Etzioni enjoys reading philosophy books, especially books dealing with the field of artificial intelligence. In his opinion, during the coming years the profession of philosophy will be in high demand, because no artificial intelligence will be able to replace it.

the sun will rise

Therefore, from his library Dand pulls out two books close to his heart, the first - "The Sun Will Rise Again", written by none other than his grandmother, Rachel Avniel. This book tells the story of her life, but not only through her testimony from the time of the Holocaust, but it also tells the story of the Jews who in the 20th century were caught up in the terrible disaster of the Jewish people - and they were able to. The grandmother's story radiates inner strength and a fierce determination to build and be built on the one hand, and on the other hand a capacity to love others.

The history of mankind

The other book that is especially close to his heart is "A Brief History of Humanity", by Yuval Noah Harari, which tries to offer answers to many questions, and to give a quick overview of the key processes and the main turning points of history, from the days of man's appearance on earth to the present day.

The book debates the questions that seek to find out what exactly happened to Homo sapiens 70,000 years ago, which pushed him to take over the world? How, why and why did all the other human species disappear?

Who knows why and why?

Other topics on which there is a lot of debate are - when did the dog become man's best friend? When was money and the concept of divinity invented and why? Why did almost all human societies believe that women were inferior to men? And in general, is it possible to have a society without discrimination and without prejudices? Does history have a direction? Is there justice? Have humans become happier with the advancement of technology? And what are the chances that there will even be people on Earth in about 100 years?

can be improved

Namely, this is a book that discusses the "behind the scenes" of human history. In Etzioni's understanding, people have the ability to change small things, but not the entire world order. That is, things can be influenced so that they improve and reach a better level.

Family art

Continuing with the artistic side of the family, and in particular regarding his grandmother's story, his maternal grandfather, the painter Avniel, is also very fond of him. Shelly and David Etzioni's home is decorated with the paintings of their grandfather Mordechai Avniel (Dickstein) who was a painter, sculptor and... a lawyer.

From 1935 Grandfather Mordechai lived in Haifa. He was the chairman of the branch of the freedom movement in the city and a member of the Haifa Municipality Council. He was known mainly as an artist, but he also practiced law and was a co-founder of the Haifa law firm "Avniel, Salomon & Co." In the 60s, Avniel retired from his job in the office and focus on his artistic activity.

Therefore, all the paintings in the Etzioni couple's residence are made by the grandfather. The painter Avniel is best known for his landscape works, in which he sought to describe the scenery of the Land of Israel and the atmosphere, which he got to know during his travels throughout the length and breadth of the country, which evidently permeated his grandson's blood.

And a little leisure

In his spare time (...when there are any), David prefers to play football with his friends. They do not have a regular meeting place for this purpose, but they make sure to maintain a friendly relationship as well as a sporting relationship. Apart from that he likes to go to the beach, listen to a concert conducted by Gil Shochat, but most of all he likes watching a good series or a quality meal in a restaurant together with my wife.

The disconnection of Haifa

David is alert to the complaint that may be presented to him - "The public chose you and you left. After all, this may be upsetting to you." To this Etzioni replies - that when he realized that they would not allow him to act and do for the city within the framework of the council - he chose to go out and act for the state. He is aware that he gave up a lot of money to continue his public work.

According to him, the leaders of the city of Haifa are cut off from Jerusalem and the government - the source of the budgets. According to him, this is also the reason that Haifa does not receive enough financial resources that are so essential to it. Etzioni is annoyed that high-tech, real estate and industrial entrepreneurs are moving away from Haifa, because instead of a warm welcome, they get a cold shoulder and very little support.

And you can't do without the pigs

Another issue Etzioni promises to take care of is, of course, the issue of wild pigs, which have long since become permanent residents of the city, as the signs "... Haifai pig before you" also indicate. David also says that the issue of trash in the streets, the negative immigration from Haifa, must be addressed, especially from the countless students who see Haifa as a "transit city" only.

Etzioni is indeed sinning for not running alone to the end in the last elections and moving to support Klish, but he promises that this time he will fight to the end and not repeat the same mistake. This time he pledges that he will run until victory, for a better Haifa.