Renowned Jewish historian and scholar Bernard Lewis passed away on the Sabbath just two weeks before his 102nd birthday, at an assisted living residence.
Born in London to a Jewish family, a long-time professor at Princeton University, Lewis was a highly popular political commentator, author and Middle East expert whose expertise in the rise of radical/political Islam, and Western-Islamic national relations was in much demand.
He authored more than 30 books and hundreds of articles and was a much sought-after speaker.
“Bernard Lewis was one of the great scholars of Islam and the Middle East in our time,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in a statement. “We will be forever grateful for his robust defense of Israel.
“I will always feel privileged to have witnessed first-hand his extraordinary erudition and I gleaned invaluable insights from our many meetings over the years. I was also deeply moved by his wide ranging conversations with my late father, Professor Ben Zion Netanyahu,” he said.
“Professor Lewis’s wisdom will continue to guide us for years to come.”
