Mickey Levy

Israeli politician, former police officer, and former Speaker of the Knesset
2013–2019Yesh Atid2019–2020Blue and White2020–Yesh AtidMinisterial roles2013–2014Deputy Minister of FinanceOther roles2021–2022Speaker of the Knesset Personal detailsBorn (1951-06-21) 21 June 1951 (age 72)
Jerusalem, Israel

Mickey Levy (Hebrew: מִיקִי לֵוִי, born 21 June 1951)[1] is an Israeli politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Yesh Atid and is a former Speaker of the Knesset. He served as Deputy Minister of Finance between 2013 and 2014. Before entering politics, he was a police officer.

Biography

Levy was born in Jerusalem to immigrant parents who were of Kurdish Jewish origin from Cizre, Turkey.[1][2][3] He did his military service in the Israel Defense Forces in the Paratroopers Brigade. After being discharged from the military, he joined the Israel Police and held a series of command positions. He served as head of Jerusalem branch of the Israel Police between 2000 and 2004, winning the Knight of Good Government award in 2002.[4] After retiring he worked as the Israeli police attaché in Washington, D.C. until 2007.[4] He also gained a BA in political science from the University of Haifa and an MEd from the University of Derby, as well as serving as CEO of the Egged Ta'avura bus company.[4]

Prior to the 2013 Knesset elections Levy joined the new Yesh Atid party, and was placed eleventh on its list.[5] He entered the Knesset after the party won 19 seats. Following Yesh Atid's coalition agreement with Likud, he was appointed to serve as Deputy Finance Minister.[6] He was placed eleventh on the party's list again for the 2015 elections,[7] and was re-elected as the party won 11 seats.

In the build-up to the April 2019 elections Yesh Atid joined the Blue and White alliance, with Levy placed twenty-second on its list. He was re-elected as the alliance won 35 seats.

As part of the agreement between Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid to form a "change" government, Levy was elected Speaker of the 24th Knesset on 13 June 2021, defeating Ya'akov Margi of Shas.[8][9] Following the 2022 elections Levy was replaced as speaker by Yariv Levin.[10]

Personal life

Levy is married to Nurit and has four children and lives in the Mevasseret Zion suburb of Jerusalem.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b "Members of the 25th Knesset". Knesset.
  2. ^ Abdulla, Hemen. "Kurdish-Israeli MP: we would support Kurdish independence". Rudaw. Rudaw. Retrieved 13 June 2021.
  3. ^ Editorial Staff (2015-03-31). "Israeli Kurdish MP Mickey Levy: We would support Kurdish independence". Kurd Net – Ekurd.net Daily News. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  4. ^ a b c d Mickey Levy Knesset
  5. ^ Yesh Atid Central Elections Committee
  6. ^ Deputy Finance Minister calls ultra-Orthodox 'parasites' on the air, and immediately apologizes Haaretz, 24 April 2013
  7. ^ Yesh Atid list Central Elections Committee
  8. ^ "Yesh Atid's Mickey Levy appointed new Knesset speaker". The Times of Israel.
  9. ^ Kingsley, Patrick (2021-06-13). "Mickey Levy is the Knesset's new speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-06-14.
  10. ^ "N12 - לאחר הסערה: יריב לוין נבחר ליו"ר הכנסת החדש". N12. 2022-12-13. Retrieved 2022-12-13.

External links

  • Mickey Levy on the Knesset website
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