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Rafael EdriIsraeli politician and statesman
Date of Birth: 10.09.1937
Country:  Israel |
Content:
Youth and Early Career
Shimon Eدری was an Israeli politician and statesman who served in the Knesset (Israeli parliament) and as a government minister. Born in Casablanca, Morocco, he was active in the youth movements before immigrating to Israel at 17. He lived in Hatzor HaGlilit and studied at the School of Management in Jerusalem. Starting in 1957, he worked on the Hatzor Council under Hillel Landsman. He served two stints as council chairman: from March 1968 to December 1969 and from February to May 1974. Eدری later held leadership positions in the business sector, including as CEO of Kiryat Shmona Development, chairman and CEO of Shikun Ovdim, and chairman of Shikun uBinui.
Political Career
Eدری entered politics as a member of the Ma'arach and later Labor Party. He served as a Knesset member from 1981 to 1999, during the 10th to 14th Knessets. He held the role of Deputy Speaker in the 13th and 14th Knessets. In the 23rd government, Eدری was appointed Minister Without Portfolio and Minister of the Environment. After the government's collapse, he played a role in negotiations with SHAS. Eدری remained active in politics after retiring in 1999, maintaining contacts with King Hassan II of Morocco and other leaders.
International Activities
Eدری served as an economic and mining advisor to the Togolese ruler Gnassingbé Eyadéma and his son, Faure Gnassingbé. He played a role in the privatization of the state phosphate corporation and faced accusations of financial misconduct related to the corporation.
Personal Life
Eدری was first married to Joan, a Danish immigrant from Kfar HaNassi, with whom he had three children. He later remarried Anne Claude, a wealthy French Jewish woman.
