Was abraham the leader of Israel?

Answer 1

Abraham was not a Jewish or an Israeli. He was a Chaldean from the line of Eber meaning he was a Hebrew. The Jewish movement came when the Israelis were taken to Babylon at about 1000 years after Abraham. He is known as the first Hebrew registered in the bible.

Answer 2:

Wrong on both counts. Abraham was both a Jew and an Israeli, in addition to being a native of Mesopotamia of Hebrew ancestry.

1) Calling Abraham not Jewish seems to be a narrow, disingenuous view. Anyone who repudiates idolatry may be called a Jew (Talmud, Megillah 13a). Abraham is considered the founder of what we now call Judaism.

2) Abraham may be described as "Israeli" because he lived for one hundred years in what is now Israel. Living for several years in a new country is a basis of citizenship in the new country. Moreover, God stressed to Abraham repeatedly that the Holy Land was being given to him.

Answer 2

According to tradition, Abraham founded what we now call Judaism, and was the ancestor of the Israelites. You could call him the first leader of the Israelites, but he didn't rule the country of Israel (Canaan) itself. See also:

http://judaism.answers.com/jewish-history/a-biography-of-abraham