The winner of the Israel Prize for Lifetime Achievement for 2018, the late Knesset member and former Foreign Minister David Levy, passed away today (Sunday) at the age of 86.
Where are you? This is why everyone wants to make an appointment with this bank.
""Levi is one of the most prominent figures in Israeli politics since the establishment of the state, and has served in senior positions in government and leadership institutions," said a statement of mourning issued by the Beit Shean municipality.
Want more news, videos and stories? Join the Haredim 10 WhatsApp channel >>
Levy was born in Rabat and immigrated to Israel with his family at the age of 19. In 1969, he was first elected to the Knesset as part of the Gahal list and was the youngest member of the Knesset.
After the upheaval in 1977, he was appointed by then-Prime Minister Menachem Begin to the position of Minister of Absorption and from 1979 he also served as Minister of Housing. From 1979 to 1990, he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Construction and Housing, throughout all the governments that served during that period.
In 1990, he was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in Yitzhak Shamir's government.
In 1995, he left the Likud party and founded the Gesher movement, but a year later he united with the Likud and ran with it in the 1996 elections. In the 2003 elections, he ran as part of the Likud and opposed the disengagement plan.
Ahead of the 2006 elections, after 36 years as a member of Knesset, he announced his retirement from political life.
Among his children: former Knesset members Orly Levy and Jackie Levy.
President Yitzhak Herzog eulogized: "The life story of David Levy, the boy who immigrated from Morocco straight to the border, and from there made his way to senior leadership positions in the country - is an impressive expression of true and inspiring social leadership, reflecting the beautiful face of Israeliness.".
Herzog added: "Today we say goodbye with great sadness to a social fighter in full vigor, someone whose rich and unique language was a clear voice for the development towns and the periphery for decades - in the Knesset, the Histadrut and the government. Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and of course the mythical Minister of Construction and Housing who led with a strong hand the neighborhood rehabilitation project. David Levy, winner of the Israel Prize for a special contribution to society and the state, will be remembered in the annals of Israel as a symbol of statesmanship and groundbreaking social action that left a real mark on society and the state. I had the privilege of working with him and learning from his wisdom and experience. Condolences to his family and many lovers, may his memory be blessed.".
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: "I deeply grieve with all citizens of Israel over the passing of the late David Levy - a dedicated public servant for decades, a minister in Israeli governments and Deputy Prime Minister.
David, born in Morocco, paved his way through life with his ten fingers. On a local level, he contributed to the development of the city of Beit Shean, and became a symbol of the growth of development cities in the periphery.
On the national level, he left a personal mark on political life, while caring for vulnerable populations who knew distress.
As Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, David helped establish diplomatic relations with countries that had refrained from doing so during the Cold War. His visits to world capitals were characterized by his standing as a loyal representative of the State of Israel.
I collaborated with David in the Likud governments, as well as with his children who, like him, successfully integrated into national politics.
We didn't always agree on everything, but I always appreciated his sense of mission.
"My wife Sarah and I extend our deepest condolences to the extended Levi family, knowing that the memory of our dear David will continue to be cherished in the hearts of our people for years and generations.".
