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Yaakov Edri

(1950 - )

Yaakov Edri is an Israeli politician who served in the Knesset and held various ministerial posts.

Edri (born November 25, 1950) was born in Morocco and immigrated to Israel in 1959. After performing his military service in the Israel Navy, he earned a BA in political science from the University of Haifa.

From 1989 to 2003, Edri served as the mayor of Or Akiva after having served as deputy chairman of the Or Akiva City Council and community center director.

In January 2003, Edri was elected to the Knesset on the list of the Likd Party and in March 2003 he was appointed as Deputy Minister of Internal Security.

In late November 2005, he broked with the Likud and joined the Kadima Party. In January 2006, he was appointed Minister of Health and Minister for the Development of the Negev and Galilee.

Edri retained his Knesset seat in the 2006 elections and in July 2006 he was appointed as Minister without Portfolio responsible for Jerusalem affairs. As part of a cabinet reshuffle in July 2007, he became both Minister of Immigrant Absorption and Minister of Negev and Galilee Development.

Edri won again on the Kadima list for the 2009 elections. Prior to the 2013 elections, however, Edri announced he would be resigned his position and not contesting the elections.

He is married and the father of two children and lives in Or Akiva.


Sources: Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Wikipedia