Yehoshafat Harkabi (1921-1994) was an Israeli military officer, intelligence leader, and academic scholar specializing in Middle East studies. Born on January 1, 1921, in Jerusalem during the British Mandate period, he was actively involved in the Zionist struggle and served in the Haganah paramilitary organization before Israel's independence in 1948. Following the establishment of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Harkabi joined the military and advanced to become the chief of the Military Intelligence Directorate (Aman) from 1955 to 1959. In this role, he played a pivotal part in developing Israel's intelligence apparatus amid escalating regional conflicts, including the lead-up to the 1956 Suez Crisis, and was known for his strategic insights into Arab intentions and capabilities.

After retiring from the military, Harkabi pursued an academic career, becoming a professor of International Relations and Middle East Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. As an orientalist and writer, he authored several seminal works on the Arab-Israeli conflict, including 'Arab Attitudes to Israel' (1972), which analyzed Arab perspectives on the conflict, and 'Israel's Fateful Hour' (1988), where he critiqued Israeli policies and advocated for a two-state solution. His scholarship emphasized understanding Arab nationalism and warned against Israel's overreliance on military power, influencing both policy debates and academic discourse on the Middle East.

Harkabi's career bridged military service and intellectual pursuits, making him a unique figure in Israeli history. He was recognized for his nuanced views on peace processes and the Palestinian question, often positioning himself as a dove within Israel's security establishment. He passed away on August 26, 1994, in Jerusalem, leaving a lasting legacy in intelligence, academia, and Middle East analysis.