Isaac Herzog
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| Isaac Herzog | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Date of birth | 22 September 1960 |
| Knesset(s) | 16th, 17th (current) |
| Party | Labor |
| Gov't roles (current in bold) |
Minister of Welfare & Social Services Minister of the Diaspora, Society, and Minister of Tourism |
Isaac "Buji" Herzog (Hebrew: יצחק "בוז'י" הרצוג, born September 22, 1960) is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He currently serves in the Knesset on behalf of the Labor Party as Minister of Welfare & Social Services and Minister of the Diaspora, Society, and the Fight Against Antisemitism. He was previously Minister of Housing and Building and Minister of Tourism.
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[edit] Background
Herzog is the son of Israeli President Chaim Herzog and Aura Herzog, and the grandson of Rabbi Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog. He was born in Tel Aviv. He studied law at Tel Aviv University and Cornell University. Herzog is married and has three children. His nickname is Bougie.[1]
[edit] Political Beliefs
Isaac Herzog is a strong believer that Israel can resolve its difficulties with Palestine and the Gaza Strip. However, in a March 2008 interview with the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong he does not rule out the use of force, given that earlier efforts such as withdrawal from the region has not worked.[2]
Herzog is also keen to stress that foreign entities, in particular Iran, which provoke Israel and cause such a distablising influence in his country.[3]
[edit] Political career
Although he did not win a seat in the 1999 elections, Herzog served as government secretary in Ehud Barak's cabinet until 2001 when Barak was beaten by Ariel Sharon in a special election for Prime Minister. In 1999, he was also investigated in the 'Amutot Barak' scandal (a scandal involving allegations that the party funding law was violated), but maintained his silence. The Attorney General, therefore, decided to close the case against him due to lack of evidence. From 2000-2003, he served as chairman of the Israel Anti-Drug Authority.
Herzog managed to win a seat in the 2003 election as a member of the Labor Party, and was appointed Minister of Housing and Building at his request when Labor joined Ariel Sharon's coalition government on 10 January, 2005. However, in November 23, 2005, he resigned from his cabinet post along with the rest of the party.
Prior to the 2006 elections, Herzog won second place on Labor's list in the party's primaries. He was initially appointed Minister of Tourism in Ehud Olmert's Kadima-led coalition, but was reassigned to the Social Affairs ministry in March 2007 after Yisrael Beiteinu was awarded the Tourism Ministry following their late entry to the governing coalition, and was also appointed Minister of the Diaspora, Society and the Fight Against Antisemitism.
Herzog is chairman and whip of the Israeli-Australian Parliamentary Association. He is also one of the few Knesset members who still serves in the Military reserve (as a Major).
[edit] References
References 2 and 3 [1] and [2] Isaac Herzog in a South China Morning Post interview in Hong Kong on March 14, 2008 (in English).
