David Levi

Former Likud MK

(Born 1937)

David Levy was born in Rabat, Morocco in 1937, where he graduated high school. He immigrated to Israel in 1959 and settled in Beit She'an.

He served as Deputy Mayor and Mayor of Beit She'an from 1964-1977, and as Chairman of the Likud Faction in the Histadrut Trade Union from the mid-60's through the early 80's. In 1995, he founded the Gesher movement of which he is the leader. Gesher joined the Likud for the 1996 Knesset elections and in 1999 ran as a faction of the One Israel party.

A Member of Knesset since 1969, David Levy served was Minister of Immigration and Absorption (1977-79), Minister of Housing and Construction (1979-90; 1981-84 also Deputy Prime Minister); Minister of Foreign Affairs and Vice Premier (1990-92); and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister (1996-98).

In July 1999 he was again appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and Deputy Prime Minister, positions which he held until his resignation in August 2000. In April 2002, he was appointed Minister without Portfolio. He resigned in July 2002. He is currently a member of the Knesset Foreign Affairs & Defence Committee.

David Levy is married, and the father of twelve children.

(Source: Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs)