Former Government Minister Solomon Seruya dies aged 88

Flags on Government buildings are flying at half-mast as Solomon Seruya, former Government Minister  and businessman, has died at the age of 88. Mr Seruya had been ill for some time. 

The Chief Minister has called for a minute silence in his honour at a Parliament meeting, saying he has no doubt Gibraltar has lost one of its great personalities. Meanwhile the Leader of the Opposition has decribed him as a man who dedicated much of his life to public service, and will be sorely missed. Liberal Party Leader Joseph Garcia has also offered his condolences.

Solomon Seruya, known affectionately as ?Sol', was educated at Talmud Torah School, and then at Whittingham College. He was evacuated to Madeira during the war, but then graduated from both St. Andrew's university and London University as an overseas student studying at Madrid University. This is where he met his wife Frances.          

Sol's political career began as a young man in the 1950s, where he was elected to the legislative Council in 1956, and was given responsibility for Tourism and the Port. In the 1965 coalition government he was Minister for economic development. Sol did not stand in the 1969 election saying he saw no political future for those who sought economic collaboration with Spain.

In April 1965, his letter to The Times, Sol spelled out his vision for the future of the Rock - Gibraltar would never surrender one once of territory to the Spanish Government but both sides could prosper through regional development. He predicted the dramatic cut back in defence spending, and argued that tourism must become one of the economic pillars.

Sol's many political achievements included the setting up of Gibraltar's first tourist office, the building of the concert hall in St Michael's Cave, the Alameda open air theatre, and the development of Little Bay and Camp Bay.

After his decision not to stand in the 1969 election Sol decided to leave for Israel where he was appointed Director of the United Israel Appeal in Jerusalem. In 1976 he was appointed  Israeli Ambassador to the Philippines, but later returned to Gibraltar after the opportunity to become Ambassador to Spain passed him by.