Yitzhak Navon

A Life in Films and Plays

The Yitzhak Navon Heritage Center 2018

Documentary film broadcast soon after Yitzhak Navon’s death The film follows Navon’s career in the Mapai political party and features interviews with the people whose lives he touched. A nostalgic celebration of a noble, loving, dearly-beloved man. Writer and director: Liora Amir-Bermetz. Writer and editor: Esther Levin. Director of photography: Dror Garmi. Content editor: Shuli Schwartz-Ellner.

Yuli Ofek talks about the fifth president’s extraordinary character and offers a unique historical recollection.
Uploaded by Kan 11

The story of Israel’s fifth president from his childhood in Jerusalem, through his extraordinary political career, work as an artist, contribution to the preservation of Sephardic culture, to becoming the nation’s number one citizen. Throughout his life, Navon endeavored to heal social rifts and promote peace within Israel and between Israel and its neighbors.

Uploaded by the Israeli Educational Television

Video clip celebrating the launch of Navon’s autobiography

Uploaded by the Navon Archives

Clip from the film “Down to Earth President” depicting Navon’s historic visit to Egypt in 1980

Writer and director: Liora Amir-Bermetz. Writer and editor: Esther Levin. Director of photography: Dror Garmi. Content editor: Shuli Schwartz-Ellner.

Yitzhak Navon talks about David Ben-Gurion, adult literacy, childhood memories, his time in the Betar Movement and subsequent arrest, a doctor and a donkey, and much more.

Uploaded by Kan 11

Shraga wants to learn Ladino to communicate with his aunt Sultana. He starts a Ladino club, but loses his time slot at the community center to Aliza’s table tennis club. Netta tells him about Yitzhak Navon, who wrote “Bustan Sefardi.” Disheartened by the scheduling conflict, Shraga comes up with compromise. He calls Sultana, using Netta as interpreter. They all decide to get together for dinner that Sabbath.

Uploaded by the Israeli Educational Television

A special tribute performance in memory of Israel’s fifth president, Yitzhak Navon, marking the first anniversary of his passing, performed at the annual Lashon Rishon conference on the Hebrew language. In attendance were Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev, Rishon Letzion Mayor Mr. Dov Zur, and members of the Navon family. The conference was organized by the Rishon Letzion Municipal Culture, Sport, and Leisure Society; administration chairman – Eli Pollak; conference director – Ruth Makbi; host – Jackie Levy. Editor – Etti Ante-Segev. Musical manager, arranger, and pianist – Roy Zuarets.

A special tribute performance in memory of Israel’s fifth president, Yitzhak Navon, marking the first anniversary of his passing, performed at the annual Lashon Rishon conference on the Hebrew language. In attendance were Minister of Culture and Sport Miri Regev, Rishon Letzion Mayor Mr. Dov Zur, and members of the Navon family. The conference was organized by the Rishon Letzion Municipal Culture, Sport, and Leisure Society; administration chairman – Eli Pollak; conference director – Ruth Makbi; host – Jackie Levy. Editor – Etti Ante-Segev. Musical manager, arranger, and pianist – Roy Zuarets.

A musical tribute show celebrating President Yitzhak Navon’s 80th birthday at the Rishon Letzion Wine Festival, October 7, 2001 Participants: Yehoram Gaon, Yossi Banai, Shoshana Damari, Shimon Peres, Yehudit Ravitz, the cast of “Bustan Sefardi,” and others. Presenter: Yehoram Gaon Producer and editor: Rina Hahmon; director: Zedi Zarfati. The show was filmed in 2001 and broadcast in memory of Yitzhak Navon, Israel’s fifth president.

Yitzhak Navon’s 90th birthday – Part 1

Uploaded by the Israeli Educational Television

Yitzhak Navon’s 90th birthday – Part 2

Uploaded by the Israeli Educational Television

TV special in memory of Navon, presented by Yigal Ravid 

Uploaded by Kan 11

Yitzhak Navon talks about growing up in Israel.

Uploaded by Yossi Alphie

Yitzhak Navon talks about the religious school Doresh Zion.

Uploaded by Yossi Alphie

Special episode of “A Mediterranean Dream” with guest Yitzhak Navon, Israel’s fifth president. Shimon Parnas and Yitzhak Navon tour the narrow streets of Jerusalem where Navon grew up. When the episode was filmed, Navon was serving as Chairman of the Israeli National Authority for Ladino and was known for his musical play “Bustan Sefardi,” performed at the Habima Theater. Scenes from the play are featured throughout the program. A conversation about Jerusalem, childhood memories, and Ladino culture through the ages

Uploaded by the Israeli Educational Television

A 1992 documentary series commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Alhambra Decree. The Israeli film crew went on a historical journey through Spain and Portugal in search of remnants of the Jewish community. 
Presenter: Yitzhak Navon 
Producer: Naomi Kaplansky
Writer and director: Yigal Lussin 
Uploaded by Kan 11
Watch all eight episodes

Yitzhak Navon was Israel’s fifth president. His story is the story of the State Of Israel. In 2014, Navon sat down for an interview with “Those Were the Days” presenter Tom Segev in which they talked about Navon’s play “Bustan Sefardi”, Ben-Gurion’s reaction to the play, and the rich and diverse Ladino culture.

Uploaded by the Knesset Channel

A musical written by Navon in 1968 featuring liturgical and secular poetry

Uploaded by Yehoram Gaon

Navon’s 1971 musical about life in Jerusalem The musical is based on Sephardic cantillation melodies, as well as Yitzhak Levy’s book of romances. Songs: “Hitrag’ut” (Relaxation), “Tzur Mishelo Akhalnu” (The Lord, Our Rock), “Sheharhoret” (Dark-Haired Girl), “Hamavdil Bein Kodesh Lehol” (The One Who Separates Sacred from Profane). Cast: Rivka Raz, Albert Cohen, Baruch Birkin, Michal Nadivi, Avraham Mor, Etti Grotts, Dudu Elharar. Producer: Ya’akov Agmon. Director: Yossef Milo. Broadcast producer: David Goldstein. Broadcast director: Paul Salinger.

Uploaded by Kan 11


יצחק נבון: “השוני בתוכנו אינו חדש וגם אינו צריך להבהילנו… השאלה אינה אם יהיו ויכוחים בתוכנו, אלא כיצד ננהל אותם”.