S. Yizhar (1916-2006) was an Israeli writer and politician. He was born in Rehovot, Palestine, and served in the Palmach during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. He was a member of the Knesset from 1951 to 1969, and was a leader of the left-wing Mapam party. Yizhar was a prolific writer, publishing numerous short stories, novels, and plays. He was known for his vivid descriptions of the Israeli landscape and his exploration of the moral dilemmas faced by Israeli soldiers. His works are considered to be among the most important in Israeli literature. Yizhar was awarded the Israel Prize for Literature in 1959, and the Bialik Prize in 1967. He died in 2006, leaving behind a legacy of literature that continues to be studied and admired.