Israel's Longest-Serving Knesset Stenographer, Who Recorded State Secrets, Dies at 100

Osnat Dagani, widely regarded as the Knesset's legendary stenographer, passed away over the weekend at the age of 100 years and nine months. Dagani began her career in the Knesset on May 16, 1948, just days after the establishment of the State of Israel, and served until the end of 1990. She was laid to rest on Sunday in Afula, the city where she grew up.

During her 42 years of service, Dagani documented pivotal moments in Israeli history. Among her most vivid memories was May 23, 1960, when then-Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion announced in the Knesset plenum that Adolf Eichmann had been captured in Argentina and brought to Israel for trial. She also recalled the historic visit of Egyptian President Anwar Sadat to Israel.

Dagani's work extended beyond public parliamentary sessions. According to Orly Dushnitsky, a family friend speaking to Yedioth Ahronoth, Dagani was also called upon to record sensitive discussions during closed-door meetings of the nation's top leadership. Dushnitsky recounted that Dagani shared an experience from the early days of the First Lebanon War, when she was summoned to a Tel Aviv apartment for a classified discussion about the conflict.

Throughout her long tenure, Dagani worked alongside prominent Israeli leaders, including David Ben-Gurion, Moshe Sharett, and Golda Meir, meticulously recording their words and the unfolding of critical national events.