Efraim Eitam (Fein) was born in Kibbutz Ein Gev. He holds an MA from Haifa University and studied at the Royal College of Defense Studies in London.
Eitam retired from the IDF in 2000 with the rank of Brigadier General after thirty years of military service. He served as commander of an armored division in the IDF Northern Command and commanded the Israeli forces in southern Lebanon in 1998-1999. He also commanded an elite commando unit in the Entebbe rescue mission in July 1976. He was awarded the medal of valor for courage under fire in the Yom Kippur War.
In April 2002, Efraim Eitam was selected leader of the National Religious Party and appointed Minister without Portfolio. In September 2002, he was appointed Minister of National Infrastructures, serving in these position until February 2003.
In March 2003, Efraim Eitam was appointed Minister of Housing and Construction, serving until his resignation in June 2004.
He is married and has eight children.