Postal service honors late Israeli statesman Abba Eban

The Philatelic Service of the Israel Postal Authority launched a new stamp on Wednesday in memory of former foreign minister Abba Eban, who died in 2002, and was for many years considered Israel's most prominent diplomat.

Eban was born in South Africa in 1915, studied at Cambridge University and in 1950 was appointed Israel's ambassador to the U.S. He served as foreign minister from 1966-74 and played a critical role in the formulation of UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338.

Eban retired from political life in 1988. The stamp, which was first issued in September, was officially launched on Wednesday at a ceremony at the Foreign Ministry. Among those in attendance were Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Eban's widow Suzie and his nephew, Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog.

	Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni (second left), Eban's widow Suzie (second right) and his nephew, Tourism Minister Isaac Herzog (right). (Amiram Barkat)