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Silvan Shalom

(1958 - )

Silvan Shalom is an Israeli politician who has served in numerous ministerial roles in the Israeli Cabinet.

Shalom (born August 4, 1958) was born in Tunisia and immigrated to Israel in 1959. He holds a degrees in Economics (B.A.) and Accounting (C.P.A.) from Ben-Gurion University, as well as a law degree (L.L.B.) and an M.A. in Public Policy from Tel Aviv University.

In 1985, Shalom was appointed adviser to finance minister, Yitzhak Moda'i, who was later appointed justice minister. In 1990, he was appointed as the CEO of the energy ministry and two years later was appointed director in chief of the Israel Electric Company.

In 1992, Shalom was first elected to the Knesset as a member of the Likud party and served on numerous Knesset committees, including Economic Affairs; Finance; State Control; and, Status of Women. From 1997 to 1998, he served as Deputy Minister of Defense and from 1998 to 1999 as Minister of Science & Technology.

From 2001 to 2003, Shalom served as Minister of Finance and in February 2003, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, positions he held until 2006. In 2009, after the election of Benjamin Netanyahu, Shalom was appointed Minister for Regional Development as well as Minister for the Development of the Negev and Galilee. In 2013, he was also appointed Minister of Energy & Water. In the 34th government of Israel, elected in March 2015, Shalom served as the Minister of the Interior, as well as the Vice Premier.

Following allegations brought by multiple women of career-spanning sexual harassment, Shalom resigned from his positions on December 19, 2015. Several women came forward in late 2015 with accusations that they were sexually harassed by Shalom, and Israeli police were directed to investigate these claims.

He is married and the father of five.


Sources: Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
Wikipedia
;
Rabinovitch, Ari. “Israel's vice premier resigns amid harassment allegations,” Reuters (December 19, 2015)