Isaac Herzog

MKs


Date of birth = 22 September 1960
Year of Aliyah =
Date of death =
Knesset(s) = 16th, 17th (current)
Party = Labor
Former parties =
Gov't roles = Minister of Welfare & Social Services
Minister of the Diaspora, Society and

the Fight Against Antisemitism
Minister of Housing & Construction
Minister of Tourism

Isaac "Buji" Herzog ( _he. יצחק "בוז'י" הרצוג, born 22 September 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.

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". [ [http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Personalities/From+A-Z/Isaac+Herzog.htm Isaac Herzog] Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs]

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).

References

References 2 and 3 [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5Bl6A2tjR4] and [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUlDmviZJDo] Isaac Herzog in a South China Morning Post interview in Hong Kong on March 14, 2008 (in English).

External links