Yitzhak Wasserlauf

Yitzhak Shimon Wasserlauf is an Israeli politician currently serving as Minister for the Negev, the Galilee, and National Resilience in the 37th government of Israel. He is a member of the Otzma Yehudit party, headed by Itamar Ben Gvir. He was previously affiliated with the Religious Zionism party during its joint run with Otzma Yehudit in the 2022 elections. At the time of his election, Wasserlauf was the youngest member of the Knesset.

Wasserlauf was born on August 14, 1992, in Israel. He entered politics at a relatively young age and quickly rose within the ranks of Otzma Yehudit. In the 25th Knesset, he began his parliamentary service in November 2022, initially under the joint Religious Zionism slate. Following the official split between the factions, he remained with Otzma Yehudit and became chairman of the party’s Knesset faction.

During his early tenure in the Knesset, Wasserlauf served on several key committees, including the Finance Committee and the Special Committee for Strengthening and Developing the Negev and the Galilee. He was also a member of the House Committee. His assignments reflected his party’s priorities, particularly on regional development and national resilience issues.

On December 29, 2022, Wasserlauf was appointed Minister for the Negev, the Galilee, and National Resilience. His role became particularly prominent in the aftermath of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel. Throughout the ensuing war, Wasserlauf gained national attention for his visible and active presence in northern and southern communities under threat. He regularly visited evacuated towns, coordinated emergency budgets, and was a direct point of contact for local authorities and displaced residents.

Despite his association with a controversial right-wing party, Wasserlauf has developed a reputation for pragmatism and accessibility. He famously publicized his personal phone number during his first speech to the Knesset, inviting citizens to reach out directly. While some dismissed the gesture as a populist stunt, he has continued the practice, even reposting the number during the war to assist evacuees. Local leaders have lauded his hands-on approach, often describing him as one of the most responsive ministers during the national emergency.

In January 2025, Yitzhak Wasserlauf, along with the rest of Otzma Yehudit, resigned from the government in protest of the Israel-Hamas hostage deal, which the party argued compromised national security. As a result, Wasserlauf stepped down from his position as Minister for the Negev, the Galilee, and National Resilience. The ministry and the other Otzma Yehudit-held portfolios were temporarily transferred to Likud control. Following the end of the ceasefire, on March 18, 2025, Otzma Yehudit agreed with Likud to return to the coalition. Wasserlauf was reinstated to his ministerial post shortly thereafter.

Wasserlauf has also drawn attention for maintaining a respectful and restrained tone in public discourse, contrasting with the more combative style of some of his party colleagues. He has steered clear of inflammatory rhetoric, emphasizing unity and service over partisanship during crises.

As of 2025, Wasserlauf remains one of the youngest and most active ministers in the Israeli government. He balances his ideological commitments with a focus on pragmatic governance and constituent service.

Sources: “Yitzhak Shimon Wasserlauf – Personal Details and Parliamentary Activity,” Israeli Knesset. [Hebrew]
Sari Makover-Belikov, “South Tel Aviv is not a local problem. It’s a symptom of what’s happening in Israel’s periphery,” Maariv, (December 22, 2022). [Hebrew]
Eliahu Luxenburg, “The Minister Who Doesn’t Stop Working: Politician of the Year – Yitzhak Wasserlauf,” Srugim, (October 1, 2024). [Hebrew]