List of Israeli Mizrahi Jews and Sephardi Jews
Encyclopedia
This is a list of notable Mizrahi Jews
and Sephardi Jews
in Israel
, including both original immigrants who obtained Israeli citizenship and their Israeli descendants.
It should be noted that although traditionally the terms "Mizrahi Jews" and "Sephardi Jews" were used as all encompassing terms referring to the Jews descended from the Jewish communities of the Middle East
, North Africa
and the Caucasus
, due to the melting pot affect of the Israeli society the terms "Mizrahi Jews" and "Sephardi Jews" gradually become more vague as many of the Israeli descendants of the Mizrahi Jews and Sephardi Jews immigrants gradually adopt the characteristics of the Israeli culture and as more decedents intermarry with descendants of other Jewish communities.
The list is ordered by category of human endeavor. Persons with significant contributions in two fields are listed in both of the pertinent categories, to facilitate easy lookup.
Mizrahi Jews
Mizrahi Jews or Mizrahiyim, , also referred to as Adot HaMizrach are Jews descended from the Jewish communities of the Middle East, North Africa and the Caucasus...
and Sephardi Jews
Sephardi Jews
Sephardi Jews is a general term referring to the descendants of the Jews who lived in the Iberian Peninsula before their expulsion in the Spanish Inquisition. It can also refer to those who use a Sephardic style of liturgy or would otherwise define themselves in terms of the Jewish customs and...
in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, including both original immigrants who obtained Israeli citizenship and their Israeli descendants.
It should be noted that although traditionally the terms "Mizrahi Jews" and "Sephardi Jews" were used as all encompassing terms referring to the Jews descended from the Jewish communities of the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
, North Africa
North Africa
North Africa or Northern Africa is the northernmost region of the African continent, linked by the Sahara to Sub-Saharan Africa. Geopolitically, the United Nations definition of Northern Africa includes eight countries or territories; Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, South Sudan, Sudan, Tunisia, and...
and the Caucasus
Caucasus
The Caucasus, also Caucas or Caucasia , is a geopolitical region at the border of Europe and Asia, and situated between the Black and the Caspian sea...
, due to the melting pot affect of the Israeli society the terms "Mizrahi Jews" and "Sephardi Jews" gradually become more vague as many of the Israeli descendants of the Mizrahi Jews and Sephardi Jews immigrants gradually adopt the characteristics of the Israeli culture and as more decedents intermarry with descendants of other Jewish communities.
The list is ordered by category of human endeavor. Persons with significant contributions in two fields are listed in both of the pertinent categories, to facilitate easy lookup.
Politicians
- Aryeh DeriAryeh DeriAryeh Deri is an Israeli politician, and former leader of Israel's Shas Party.-Biography:After Deri was convicted of taking $155,000 in bribes while serving as Interior Minister and given a three-year jail sentence in 2000, he was replaced by Eli Yishai...
- politician, and former leader of Israel's Shas Party - Eli YishaiEli YishaiEliyahu "Eli" Yishai is an Israeli politician and head of the Shas party. He currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Shas, and as both one of four Deputy Prime Ministers and Minister of Internal Affairs.- Political life :...
- politician, and current leader of Israel's Shas Party - Silvan ShalomSilvan Shalom' , born 4 October 1958) is an Israeli politician, member of the Knesset for Likud and the country's Vice Prime Minister and Minister for Regional Development. He previously served as the country's Foreign Minister and Finance Minister.-Biography:...
- politician who previously served as Israel's Foreign Minister and Finance Minister - Dalya Itzik - politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for KadimaKadimaKadima is a centrist and liberal political party in Israel. It was established on 24 November 2005 by moderates from Likud largely to support the issue of Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan, and was soon joined by like-minded Labor politicians...
- Shlomo Ben Ami - diplomat, politician and historian
- Amir PeretzAmir PeretzAmir Peretz is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset for the Labour Party. He is a former Defense Minister of Israel and former leader of the Labour Party, having left those positions in June 2007....
- politician and member of the KnessetKnessetThe Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
for the Labour Party - David LevyDavid Levy (Israeli politician)David Levy is an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset between 1969 and 2006, as well as Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Minister of Housing & Construction and as a Minister without Portfolio...
- politician who served as a member of the Knesset between 1969 and 2006 - Meir SheetritMeir SheetritMeir Sheetrit is a Moroccan-born Israeli politician. He is currently a member of the Knesset for Kadima. He has served as Minister of the Interior, Minister of Housing & Construction, Minister of Finance, Minister of Justice, Minister of Transportation and Minister of Education, Culture &...
- politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for KadimaKadimaKadima is a centrist and liberal political party in Israel. It was established on 24 November 2005 by moderates from Likud largely to support the issue of Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan, and was soon joined by like-minded Labor politicians... - Yitzhak MordechaiYitzhak MordechaiYitzhak Mordechai is an Israeli former general and politician. He served as a member of the Knesset between 1996 and 2001, and as Minister of Defense and Minister of Transport. He retired from political life after being indicted for sexual assaults during his military service and later...
- former general and former politician - Michael Ben-AriMichael Ben-AriMichael Ben-Ari is an Israeli politician, and a current member of the Knesset for the National Union party. He is the first outspoken disciple of Rabbi Meir Kahane to be elected to the Knesset. He has a Ph.D in Land of Israel studies.-Biography:...
– Israeli politician and current member of the Knesset - Mordechai ZarMordechai ZarMordechai Zar was an Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Mapai and its successors between 1959 and 1974.-Biography:...
– Israeli politician and former member of the Knesset - Moshe KatsavMoshe KatsavMoshe Katsav is an Israeli politician. He served as the eighth President of Israel, a leading Likud member of the Israeli Knesset, and a Cabinet Minister in its government....
– Former President of Israel (2000–2007) - Shaul MofazShaul MofazLt. General Shaul Mofaz is an Israeli politician who serves as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs And Defense Committee at the Knesset...
– Former Israeli Minister of Defense, currently number two on the KadimaKadimaKadima is a centrist and liberal political party in Israel. It was established on 24 November 2005 by moderates from Likud largely to support the issue of Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan, and was soon joined by like-minded Labor politicians...
list in the Knesset - Orly LevyOrly LevyOrly Levy-Abekasis is an Israeli politician. She is a member of the Knesset for Yisrael Beiteinu and serves as Deputy Speaker of the Knesset.-Biography:...
– former model whom is currently a politician - Haim Amsalem – politician. Former member of the Shas Party. In 2011 Amsalem established the Whole NationWhole NationWhole Nation is a new political party in Israel.It was established on 14 April 2011 by Knesset member Haim Amsalem, five months after he was expelled from Shas, and took its name from the Hebrew translation of his surname. The party intends to run for the 19th Knesset, on a secular-religious unity...
party.
Military
- Gabi AshkenaziGabi AshkenaziGavriel "Gabi" Ashkenazi , was the Chief of General Staff of the Israel Defence Forces from 2007 to 2011.- Background and early life :...
– Chief of the IDF General StaffRamatkalThe Chief of the General Staff, also known as the Commander-in-Chief of the Israel Defense Forces is the supreme commander and Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. At any given time, the Chief of Staff is the only active officer holding the IDF's highest rank, Rav Aluf , which is usually...
(2007–) - Eli CohenEli CohenEli Cohen was an Israeli spy. He is best known for his work in Syria, where he developed close relationships with the political and military hierarchy and became the Chief Adviser to the Minister of Defense. He was eventually exposed and executed in Syria in 1965...
– Israeli spy who worked in Syria and was eventually exposed and executed in Syria in 1965 - Moshe BarazaniMoshe BarazaniMoshe Barazani, also Barzani , was an Iraqi Kurdish Jew and a member of Lehi . He was born in Baghdad to a Jewish family from Northern Iraq that moved to Jerusalem when he was an infant. He joined Lehi at an early age and took part in sabotage operations...
- Iraqi Kurdish Jew and a member of LehiLehi (group)Lehi , commonly referred to in English as the Stern Group or Stern Gang, was a militant Zionist group founded by Avraham Stern in the British Mandate of Palestine... - Yitzhak MordechaiYitzhak MordechaiYitzhak Mordechai is an Israeli former general and politician. He served as a member of the Knesset between 1996 and 2001, and as Minister of Defense and Minister of Transport. He retired from political life after being indicted for sexual assaults during his military service and later...
- former general and former politician - Eitan Ben EliyahuEitan Ben EliyahuAluf Eitan Ben Eliyahu is a retired Major General in the Israel Defense Forces and was the Commander of the Israeli Air Force .-Early life and military career:...
– Former Major General in the Israeli Defence Forces - Dan HalutzDan Halutz' is an Israeli Air Force Lt. General and former Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces and commander of the Israeli Air Force. Halutz was appointed as Chief of Staff on June 1, 2005. On January 17, 2007 he announced his resignation. He has a degree in economics. He was born to a Mizrahi...
– Former chief of staffRamatkalThe Chief of the General Staff, also known as the Commander-in-Chief of the Israel Defense Forces is the supreme commander and Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. At any given time, the Chief of Staff is the only active officer holding the IDF's highest rank, Rav Aluf , which is usually...
of the Israel Defense ForcesIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel... - Shaul MofazShaul MofazLt. General Shaul Mofaz is an Israeli politician who serves as the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs And Defense Committee at the Knesset...
– Former Israeli Minister of Defense, currently number two on the KadimaKadimaKadima is a centrist and liberal political party in Israel. It was established on 24 November 2005 by moderates from Likud largely to support the issue of Ariel Sharon's unilateral disengagement plan, and was soon joined by like-minded Labor politicians...
list in the Knesset
Activists
- Israel ShahakIsrael ShahakIsrael Shahak was a Polish-born Israeli professor of chemistry at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, known especially as a radical political thinker, author, and civil rights activist. Between 1970-1990, he was president of the Israeli League for Human and Civil Rights and was an outspoken critic...
– political activist - Abie NathanAbie NathanAvraham "Abie" Nathan was an Israeli humanitarian and peace activist, perhaps best known as the founder of the Voice of Peace radio station.-Early years:...
– Humanitarian and peace activist
Religious figures
- Moshe Shmuel ShapiraMoshe Shmuel ShapiraRabbi Moshe Shmuel Shapiro was a Rosh Yeshiva and important rabbinic figure in Israel. His father, Rabbi Aryeh Shapiro, was the son of Rabbi Refoel Shapiro of Volozhin and grandson of Rabbi Naftali Zvi Yehuda Berlin His mother was a descendant of Rabbi Yom Tov Lipman Heilpern of Bialystock , a...
, rosh yeshivaRosh yeshivaRosh yeshiva, , , is the title given to the dean of a Talmudical academy . It is made up of the Hebrew words rosh — meaning head, and yeshiva — a school of religious Jewish education...
of Beer Yaakov - Mordechai EliyahuMordechai EliyahuMordechai Tzemach Eliyahu ) was a prominent rabbi, posek and spiritual leader. He served as the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel from 1983 to 1993.-Biography:...
, Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel 1983–93, (1929–2010) - Ovadia Yoseph
- Yosef Sholom EliashivYosef Sholom EliashivYosef Shalom Elyashiv is a Haredi rabbi and posek who lives in Jerusalem, Israel.At the age of , Elyashiv is active and remains the paramount leader of both Israel and the Diaspora Lithuanian-Haredi community, and many Ashkenazi Jews regard him as the posek ha-dor, the contemporary leading...
- Rabbi Shlomo Moshe AmarShlomo AmarRabbi Shlomo Moshe Amar has been the Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel and the Rishon LeZion since his appointment in 2003. His colleague is Rabbi Yona Metzger, the Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi of Israel....
, Sephardi Chief Rabbi of Israel and Rishon LeZionRishon LeZion (title)This list of Sephardi chief rabbis of the Land of Israel documents the rabbis who served as the spiritual leader of the Sephardic community in the Land of Israel from the mid 17th-century to present. The Hebrew title for the position, Rishon le-Zion, This list of Sephardi chief rabbis of the Land... - Yoshiyahu Yosef Pinto, Israeli Jewish spiritual leader and Kabbalist who lives in New York City.
- Rabbi ShalArush, is an Israeli Breslov rabbi and founder of the Chut Shel Chessed Institutions. Arush is considered one of today's leading Hasidic spiritual guides.
- Rabbi Amnon YitzhakAmnon YitzhakAmnon Yitzhak , is an Orthodox Haredi Israeli.Harav Amnon Yitzhak is best known for his involvement in Orthodox Judaism outreach . He is involved in activities which are centered on helping Jews to become more religious or observant...
, an Sephardic Haredi rabbi - Elazar AbuhatzeiraElazar AbuhatzeiraElazar Abuhatzeira was an Orthodox Sefardi rabbi and kabbalist, known among his followers as the "Baba Elazar."He was born in Rissani, Morocco to Meir and Simcha Abuhatzeira, was the grandson of the Baba Sali, Rabbi Yisrael Abuhatzeira, and the brother of Rabbi David Chai Abuhatzeira of...
, Orthodox Sefardi rabbi and kabbalist. - Yosef QafihYosef QafihYosef Qafih , widely known as Rabbi Kapach , was one of the foremost leaders of the Yemenite Jewish community, first in Yemen and later in Israel. He was the grandson of Rabbi Yihhyah Qafahh, also a prominent Yemenite leader and grandson of the founder of the Dor Deah movement in Yemen...
, YemenYemenThe Republic of Yemen , commonly known as Yemen , is a country located in the Middle East, occupying the southwestern to southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the north, the Red Sea to the west, and Oman to the east....
-born rabbi and scholar
Businesspeople and entrepreneurs
- Shai AgassiShai AgassiShai Agassi is an Israeli entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of Better Place, which has developed a model and infrastructure for employing electric cars as an alternative to fossil fuel technology. Agassi was President of the Products and Technology Group at SAP AG...
- Israeli entrepreneur. The founder and CEO of Better Place, which has developed a model and infrastructure for employing electric cars as an alternative to fossil fuelFossil fuelFossil fuels are fuels formed by natural processes such as anaerobic decomposition of buried dead organisms. The age of the organisms and their resulting fossil fuels is typically millions of years, and sometimes exceeds 650 million years...
technology. - Haim SabanHaim SabanHaim Saban is an Egyptian born Israeli-American television and media proprietor. With an estimated net worth of $3.5 billion, he is ranked by Forbes as the 104th richest person in America.-Biography:...
– Israeli-American television and media proprietorMedia proprietorA media proprietor is a person who controls, either through personal ownership or a dominant position in any media enterprise. Those with significant control of a public company in the mass media may also be called "media moguls", "tycoons", "barons", or "bosses".The figure of the media proprietor...
. Saban was ranked by ForbesForbesForbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
as the 104th richest person in AmericaForbes 400The Forbes 400 or 400 Richest Americans is a list published by Forbes Magazine magazine of the wealthiest 400 Americans, ranked by net worth. The list is published annually in September, and 2010 marks the 29th issue. The 400 was started by Malcom Forbes in 1982 and treats those in the list like...
. - Lev LevievLev LevievLev Avnerovich Leviev is a Bukharian-Israeli billionaire businessman, with a net worth of roughly $1.5 billion following the 2008 global financial crisis. Leviev is one of the most prominent Mizrahi Jewish individuals in the world and has been a major philanthropist for Jewish causes in Eastern...
– diamond tycoon
Academic figures
- Michel AbitbolMichel AbitbolMichel Abitbol is an Israeli Jewish historian, professor, and chair of the Department of African Studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He is considered an expert on the history of the Jews of North Africa. He is also the scientific director of the Center for Research on Moroccan Jewry,...
, historian, professor, and chair of the Department of African Studies at the Hebrew University of JerusalemHebrew University of JerusalemThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem ; ; abbreviated HUJI) is Israel's second-oldest university, after the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology. The Hebrew University has three campuses in Jerusalem and one in Rehovot. The world's largest Jewish studies library is located on its Edmond J...
. - Amnon NetzerAmnon NetzerAmnon Netzer was an Iranian-Jewish historian, researcher, professor and journalist.He dedicated much of his life to uncovering, analyzing, and recording the literature, culture, and 2,700-year history of Iran's Jewry.He founded Israel Broadcasting Authority's Persian Service in 1958 and was a...
– historian, researcher, professor and journalist. - Avshalom ElitzurAvshalom ElitzurAvshalom Cyrus Elitzur is an Israeli physicist and philosopher.-Biography:Avshalom Elitzur was a senior lecturer at the Unit for Interdisciplinary Studies, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel...
– physicist and philosopher - Moshe Bar-AsherMoshe Bar-AsherMoshe Bar-Asher is an Israeli linguist and the president of the Academy of the Hebrew Language in Jerusalem.-Background:Bar-Asher was born in Ksar es Souk , Morocco, in 1939. He immigrated to Israel in 1951 when he was twelve years old....
– linguist
Film, TV, and stage
|
Eli Yatzpan Eliyahu Yatzpan is an Israeli television host and comedian, best known as the host of the Channel 3 late-night talk show/variety show Yatzpan between 2001 and 2006.-Early life:... - television host and comedian Orna Banai Orna Banai is an Israeli actress, comedian and entertainer.Banai was born in Beersheba, Israel. Her father was a local judge, and her mother was an education executive for the City of Beer Sheva. Many of her relatives are successful Israeli actors and singers. The next generation of the Banai... - actress, comedian and entertainer Shaike Levi Yeshayahu "Shaike" Levi is an Israeli comedian, singer and actor. He is best known for his role in the Gashash HaHiver comedy trio, which won the Israel Prize in 2000..-Biography:... - comedian, singer and actor Eli Finish Eli Finish is an Israeli actor and comedian. He is well known for acting in the popular TV show Eretz Nehederet.-Career:After his release from the IDF in 1996, Finish studied acting in the art school HaBustan in Netanya... - actor and comedian Mariano Idelman Mariano Idelman is an Israeli actor and comedian. He is well known for acting in the popular TV show Eretz Nehederet.-Career:In 1996 he appeared in Dudu Topaz's stand-up comedy show called The First in Entertainment with Eli Finish, and signed a 2-year contract with the show.Idelman and Finish... - actor and comedian Naor Zion Naor Zion is an Israeli comedian, actor, writer and director. Zion was the creator, head writer and an actor for the Israeli sitcom television series "Naor's Friends".- Biography :... – comedian/actor/director Erez Tal Erez Tal is an Israeli broadcasting personality.-Biography:His first hit program was "Ma Yesh" , broadcast on Galatz, Israel's Army radio, where he started his partnership with Avri Gilad.... - media personality |
Models
- Moran AtiasMoran Atias-Early life and family:Atias was born in Haifa, Israel, to parents of Moroccan Jewish descent. Atias appeared on the youth TV show "Out of Focus" at age 15, although plans of serving in the Israeli Defense Forces were cut short with a diagnosis of meningitis at age 17...
– model - Sandy BarSandy BarSandy Bar is an Israeli actress and model.Bar was born in 1976 in Tel Aviv, Israel, to a mother of Yemenite Jewish background and a father with Moroccan-Jewish roots. She was "discovered" at the age of 17 by Adi Barkan, who became her first agent. Bar became a successful model in Israel, leading...
– model and actress - Yael AbecassisYael AbecassisYael Abecassis is an Israeli actress and model. She married Israeli actor Lior Miller in 1996 and has one child. They divorced in 2003. Abecassis is the daughter of Raymonde Abecassis, a Moroccan-born Israeli actress.- Career:...
– model and actress - Linor Abargil – Israeli beauty pageant contestant who won the Miss World beauty pageant in 1998
- Miri BohadanaMiri BohadanaMiri Bohadana is an Israeli actress, model and presenter.-Career:Bohadana was born in Beer Sheva Israel on October 12, 1977 to Moroccan Jewish parents and raised in the town of Sderot. She took part in the "Miss Beer Sheva" contest at age 15. Two years later, in 1995, Bohadana was chosen first...
– model and actress - Ilanit Levi – model and actress
- Orly LevyOrly LevyOrly Levy-Abekasis is an Israeli politician. She is a member of the Knesset for Yisrael Beiteinu and serves as Deputy Speaker of the Knesset.-Biography:...
– former model whom is currently a politician - Mali Levi – model and actress
- Natalie Attiya – model and actress
- Becky GriffinBecky GriffinBecky Griffin is an Israeli model, TV presenter and an actress. She was born to Jewish parents, a Yemenite mother and an American father....
– model, TV presenter and an actress - Yehuda LeviYehuda LeviYehuda Levi is an Israeli actor and male model. He was born and now lives in Tel Aviv, but spent much of his childhood in South Africa. He attended the "Thelma Yellin" High school, and graduated with excellence. His noticeable breakthrough was in the TV series "Lechayey Ha'ahava" .He is an...
- actor and model
Popular musicians
|
Zohar Argov Zohar Argov was a popular Israeli singer and a distinctive voice in the Mizrahi music scene.- Background :The most serious hurdle on the way to stardom was Argov's socioeconomic background. He was born in Rishon LeZion, and grew up in a poor family, the eldest of ten children... – singer Gali Atari Avigail "Gali" Atari is an Israeli actress and singer.-Career:She first appeared on the international scene in 1971, when she represented Israel at the World Popular Song Festival in Japan with the songs "All free" and "Give love away"... – singer and actress Lior Narkis Lior Narkis is a male Israeli singer. He was born to a mixed Iraqi and Serbian Jewish family.-Music career:... – singer Haim Moshe Haim Moshe born 1956)is an Israeli singer whose musical style has crossed over from Yemenite and Mediterranean "ethnic" music to include mainstream Israeli and western pop elements. He has helped Mizrahi music achieve wide popularityboth in Israel... – singer Daklon Daklon is the nickname of an Israeli musical artist Yosef Levy. He was born in 1944 in Tel Aviv's Kerem Hateimanim neighborhood, as a son of Jewish-Yemeni immigrants from the Shar'ab region in Yemen.... – singer Eyal Golan Eyal Golan, , is a popular Israeli singer who sings in the Mizrahi style. Golan is one of the most successful singers of the Mizrahi genre in Israel... – singer Shimi Tavori Shimi Tavori is an acclaimed Israeli singer. He performs in Hebrew and French.-Biography:Shimi Tavori was born to a Yemenite Jewish family in Ness Ziona, Israel.... – singer Zion Golan Zion Golan , also known as Tzion Golan, is an Israeli singer of Yemeni origin.-Background:Most of Golan's songs are in Yemeni Arabic. Many songs are from Yemen and are also sung by contemporary Yemeni singers. He also sings some songs in the ancient Yemeni dialect of Hebrew.-Personal life:Golan was... – singer Kobi Oz Kobi Oz is the lead singer of Israeli group Teapacks.-Biography:Yaakov Oz was born in Sderot to Tunisian Jewish parents. He began playing music and composing at the age of 15... – singer Shlomo Bar Shlomo Bar is an Israeli musician, composer, and social activist. He is a pioneer of ethnic music in Israel.- Biography :Born in Rabat, Morocco, in 1943, Bar emigrated to Israel a few years later. He learnt how to play the darbuka and other ethnic percussion instruments, performing in various small... – singer Zehava Ben Zehava Ben is one of the most popular Israeli female vocalists in the Mizrahi music genre; the Middle Eastern-style of singing rising from Israel's Mizrahi Jewish population, dominating Israeli music in the 1990s and popular ever since.-Early life:... – singer Kobi Peretz Kobi Peretz , also Koby Perez, is a popular Israeli singer who sings in the Mizrahi style. Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Kobi comes from a big family, being the youngest of 10 siblings. After his one hit wonder Balbeli Oto , He sang in major concerts... – singer Moshik Afia Moshik Afia is a popular Israeli singer who sings in the Mizrahi style. He was born in Holon, Israel.-Selected discography:*A rain dripped- 1997 - גשם טפטף*A Story of love- 1998- סיפור אהבה*In my dreams- 1999- מתוך חלומותיי... – singer Gad Elbaz Gad Elbaz is an Israeli haredi singer of Sephardic origin. He is best known by his #1 hit; Halayla Zeh Hazman , and for being the son of mizrahi singer Benny Elbaz.-Early life:... – singer Sarit Hadad Sarit Hadad is an acclaimed Israeli singer. She stems from a musician family with both origins in the Tunisia and Caucases... – singer Shiri Maimon Shiri Maimon is an Israeli pop/R&B singer, TV show host and actress, who rose to fame as the runner-up in the TV show Kokhav Nolad. She represented Israel in the Eurovision Song Contest 2005.-Early life:... - singer, TV show host and actress Mosh Ben-Ari Mosh Ben Ari is an Israeli musician, lyricist and composer.- Biography :Ben Ari was born in Afula, Israel in 1970. He comes from a Yemenite and Iraqi Jewish background. He first discovered music as a child through the traditional Jewish and ethnic chants that were part of his everyday life... - musician, lyricist and composer Yuval Banai Yuval Banay is an Israeli musician, best known as the lead singer of the influential Israeli pop rock band Mashina.-Personal life:Yuval was born on June 9, 1962 in Tel-Aviv to Yossi and Ilana Banai... – singer Berry Sakharof Berry Sakharof is an Israeli rock guitarist, songwriter and singer.-Biography:Sakharof was born in Izmir, Turkey in 1957. His family immigrated to Israel when he was 3 years old.-Start of career:... – rock guitarist, songwriter and singer |
Association Football
- Dudu AouateDudu AouateDavid "Dudu" Aouate is an Israeli footballer who plays for RCD Mallorca in Spain, as a goalkeeper.-Club career:Aouate began his career at Maccabi Haifa F.C. at youth level, as an understudy to Nir Davidovich...
– goalkeeper (RCD MallorcaRCD MallorcaReal Club Deportivo Mallorca is a Spanish football team based on Palma, Majorca, in the Balearic Islands. Founded on 5 March 1916, the team currently plays in the Spanish first division, holding home games at Son Moix....
, national team) - Gai AssulinGai AssulinGai Yigaal Assulin is an Israeli professional footballer who plays for Manchester City and the Israel national under-21 football team, mainly as a winger or attacking midfielder...
– winger/attacking midfielder (Manchester City, national team) - Pini BaliliPini BaliliPini Balili is an Israeli-Turkish footballer currently playing for Bnei Yehuda.-Move back to Hapoel:As a youngster, Balili grew up supporting Hapoel Tel Aviv and was part of the youth system there before moving to Shimshon Tel Aviv in his teens...
, Israel/Turkey – striker (Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv, national team) - Yossi BenayounYossi BenayounYosef Shai "Yossi" Benayoun is an Israeli international footballer who plays for Arsenal on loan from Chelsea.Benayoun plays as an attacking midfielder, often occupying the space just behind the striker. In Israel, he is sometimes nicknamed "The Diamond from Dimona". He is also the captain of the...
– attacking midfielder, national team captain, Hapoel Be'er Sheva, Maccabi HaifaMaccabi Haifa F.C.Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups...
, Racing Santander, West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current...
, LiverpoolLiverpool F.C.Liverpool Football Club is an English Premier League football club based in Liverpool, Merseyside. Liverpool has won eighteen League titles, second most in English football, seven FA Cups and a record seven League Cups...
, ChelseaChelsea F.C.Chelsea Football Club are an English football club based in West London. Founded in 1905, they play in the Premier League and have spent most of their history in the top tier of English football. Chelsea have been English champions four times, FA Cup winners six times and League Cup winners four... - Tal Ben HaimTal Ben HaimTal Ben Haim is an Israeli professional footballer who currently plays for Portsmouth.He can play at either centre back or right back. He is also a member of the Israeli national squad...
– center back/right back, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Bolton Wanderers, Chelsea, West Ham UnitedWest Ham United F.C.West Ham United Football Club is an English professional football club based in Upton Park, Newham, East London. They play in The Football League Championship. The club was founded in 1895 as Thames Ironworks FC and reformed in 1900 as West Ham United. In 1904 the club relocated to their current... - Avi CohenAvi CohenAvraham "Avi" Cohen was an Israeli footballer who played as a defender. He was best known for his spell playing for Liverpool in England. After retirement from active football and management, he was the chairman of the Israel Professional Footballers Association for over five years until he was...
– defender, Liverpool and national team - Yaniv KatanYaniv KatanYaniv Katan is an Israeli international football forward and winger. He is currently contracted to Maccabi Haifa.-Personal life:Katan is Jewish, grew up in Haifa most of his life and then moved to Tel Aviv shortly after his parents divorced. His parents are Iraqi immigrants who moved from Baghdad...
– forward/winger (Maccabi HaifaMaccabi Haifa F.C.Maccabi Haifa Football Club is an Israeli football team from the city of Haifa, a section of Maccabi Haifa sports club. The club has won 12 championships, 5 State Cups and 4 Toto Cups...
, national team) - Eli OhanaEli OhanaEli Ohana is a former Israeli football player and later a manager. He is currently the manager of the Israel U21 team. He is considered to be one of the greatest Israeli players ever.-Early life and playing career:...
– won UEFA Cup Winners' CupUEFA Cup Winners' CupThe UEFA Cup Winners' Cup was a football club competition contested annually by the most recent winners of all European domestic cup competitions. The cup is one of the many inter-European club competitions that have been organised by UEFA. The first competition was held in the 1960–61 season—but...
and Bravo AwardBravo AwardThe Bravo Award is an annual award which is handed out by the Italian magazine Guerin Sportivo to the most outstanding young European footballer. The first winner of the award was English Jimmy Case. Until 1992 only under-23 players participating in one of the three European club cups were eligible...
(most outstanding young player in Europe); national team; manager - Haim RevivoHaim RevivoHaim Michael Revivo is a retired Israeli football player, and a businessman. He was especially famous for his free-kick goals and his entertaining celebrations after these goals.- From Ashdod to Tel Aviv :...
– attacking/side midfielder (national team), Maccabi Haifa, Celta de Vigo, Fenerbahçe, GalatasarayGalatasaray S.K. (football team)Galatasaray Anonim Şirketi is a Turkish football club, part of the Galatasaray S.K. multi-sport club of Istanbul. Galatasaray is a major sports club in Turkey, holding 17 Turkish Super League titles and the highest number of Turkish Cups.... - Idan TalIdan TalIdan Tal is an Israeli footballer who plays for Hapoel Jerusalem, as a midfielder.-Club career:Tal started his career at Maccabi Petah Tikva FC during the 1996–97 season, and played 71 games until his move to Hapoel Tel Aviv FC in the midst of the 1998–99, winning the state cup, the first title in...
– midfielder (Beitar Jerusalem FCBeitar Jerusalem FCBeitar Jerusalem Football club is an Israeli football club from Jerusalem. The club is based at the Teddy Stadium in the Malha neighborhood, and plays in black and yellow...
& national team) - Itzik ZoharItzik ZoharItzik Zohar is a former Israeli international footballer and television sports personality. Born in Bat Yam, Israel to a family of North African extraction, he holds the distinction of scoring the first two goals for Israel in its first world cup qualifier in the UEFA confederation on October 28,...
– attacking midfielder (national team), Maccabi Jaffa, Maccabi Tel Aviv, Royal Antwerp, Beitar Jerusalem, Crystal Palace, Maccabi Haifa, Maccabi Herzliya, Maccabi Netanya, F.C. Ashdod, Hapoel Nazareth Illit
Sailing
- Shahar ZubariShahar ZubariShahar Zubari is an Israeli windsurfer and Olympic bronze medalist, surfing in the "Neil Pryde" RS:X discipline. He was born in Eilat, Israel.-Early career:...
, Israel, windsurfer, Olympic bronze (RS:X discipline); 2009 & 2010 European Windsurf champion
Criminals
- Benny SelaBenny SelaBenny Sela is an Israeli serial rapist.Sela grew up in the Hatikva Quarter of Tel Aviv, and as a young boy, witnessed his alcoholic father commit suicide. He subsequently entered foster care...
– convicted serial rapist and escapee - Eden-Nathan Zada – Israeli terrorist whom was an army defector when he committed the 2005 Shfar'am shooting attack in which he used his military rifle to shot the passengers of a commuter bus in the Arab village of Shfar'am, murdering four Arab citizens of IsraelArab citizens of IsraelArab citizens of Israel refers to citizens of Israel who are not Jewish, and whose cultural and linguistic heritage or ethnic identity is Arab....
and wounding twenty-two others. - Yigal AmirYigal AmirYigal Amir is the Israeli assassin of Prime Minister of Israel Yitzhak Rabin. The assassination took place on November 4, 1995 at the conclusion of a rally in Tel Aviv. Amir is currently serving a life sentence for murder plus six years for injuring Rabin's bodyguard, Yoram Rubin, under...
– assassin of the Israeli prime minister Yitzhak RabinYitzhak Rabin' was an Israeli politician, statesman and general. He was the fifth Prime Minister of Israel, serving two terms in office, 1974–77 and 1992 until his assassination in 1995.... - Yaakov AlperonYaakov AlperonYaakov Alperon , was an Israeli mobster who was murdered in a car bomb attack. He was reputed to have run Tel Aviv's third-largest crime family, the Alperon crime family.-Biography:...
– Israeli mobster who was murdered in a car bomb attack - Uzi Meshulam – leader of a radical group of Yemenite Jews who in 1994 violently resisted Israeli law enforcement authorities.
- Aryeh DeriAryeh DeriAryeh Deri is an Israeli politician, and former leader of Israel's Shas Party.-Biography:After Deri was convicted of taking $155,000 in bribes while serving as Interior Minister and given a three-year jail sentence in 2000, he was replaced by Eli Yishai...
– politician, and former leader of Israel's Shas Party. During 1999 Deri was convicted of taking $155,000 in bribes while serving as Interior Minister and given a three-year jail sentence. - Yitzhak MordechaiYitzhak MordechaiYitzhak Mordechai is an Israeli former general and politician. He served as a member of the Knesset between 1996 and 2001, and as Minister of Defense and Minister of Transport. He retired from political life after being indicted for sexual assaults during his military service and later...
– former general and former politician. Mordechai retired from political life after being convicted of harassing and sexually assaulting two women during his military service. - Moshe KatsavMoshe KatsavMoshe Katsav is an Israeli politician. He served as the eighth President of Israel, a leading Likud member of the Israeli Knesset, and a Cabinet Minister in its government....
– Former President of Israel (2000–2007). On 30 December 2010 Katsav was convicted of two counts of rapeRapeRape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
and obstruction of justiceObstruction of justiceThe crime of obstruction of justice, in United States jurisdictions, refers to the crime of interfering with the work of police, investigators, regulatory agencies, prosecutors, or other officials...
. - Felix HalfonFelix Halfon-Controversy:In August 2003 Halfon was caught smuggling cocaine in the Ben Gurion International Airport. In 2004 Felix was sentenced for 4.5 years in prison but was released in June 2006 after 2.5 years for good behavior.-External links:* at IFA...
– Former Israeli footballer who in 2004 was convicted of drug smuggling.