Moshe Kahlon, a former Israeli politician, has had an interesting career. He was born on November 19, 1960, and from 2003 to 2013, he served as a member of the Knesset representing the Likud party. During this time, he held positions such as Minister of Communications and Minister of Welfare & Social Services. After taking a break from politics, Kahlon decided to make a comeback and founded his own party called Kulanu in 2014.
The following year, he returned to the Knesset as a member of Kulanu. In 2015, he achieved a significant milestone when he was appointed as the Minister of Finance in the Netanyahu IV cabinet. However, on January 12, 2020, Kahlon made an important announcement. He declared that he would be retiring from politics, marking the end of his active involvement in the political sphere.
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How is his Early Life?
Moshe Kahlon’s life begins in the Givat Olga neighborhood of Hadera, where he was born. Coming from a Libyan Jewish family who had migrated from Tripoli, he was the fifth of seven children. His father worked in the construction industry, which instilled a strong work ethic in Kahlon from an early age.
After completing his mandatory service in the Israel Defense Forces, where he served in the Ordnance Corps from 1978 to 1986, Kahlon embarked on a new venture. He ventured into the world of entrepreneurship, establishing a business focused on importing car appliances. Continuing his pursuit of knowledge, Kahlon pursued higher education. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and general studies from the University of Haifa. However, his thirst for learning wasn’t satisfied yet.
Moshe Kahlon decided to further his studies in law, eventually earning an LLB from the Netanya Academic College, equipping him with a legal background to complement his political interests. Always striving to enhance his skills and broaden his horizons, in 2013, Kahlon took part in a six-week advanced management program at Harvard University.
This experience allowed him to engage with diverse perspectives and gain valuable insights into effective leadership and management. Kahlon’s educational life, combined with his entrepreneurial spirit and experiences in the military, laid the foundation for his subsequent achievements in politics.
His Political Career
Moshe Kahlon’s political life began in the late 1980s when he got involved in Rami Dotan’s mayoral campaign in Haifa. It was during this time that he crossed paths with Uzi Landau, who later became the Minister of Public Security in 2001. Landau appointed Kahlon as his Bureau Chief, and he served in this role for a year. In 2003, Kahlon made his first foray into the Knesset, winning a seat in the elections. His capabilities were recognized, and he was appointed as the Deputy Speaker of the Knesset.
Ahead of the 2006 elections, he secured the third position on Likud’s list in the party’s primaries. Kahlon successfully retained his seat in the 2009 elections, ranking sixth on the Likud list. On March 31, he assumed the role of Minister of Communications. During his time in the Knesset, Kahlon championed various initiatives aimed at reducing electricity charges for underprivileged families. He also led an inquiry into bank fees, striving to improve the financial well-being of citizens.
One of his notable achievements was spearheading the “Cellular Revolution,” which opened up the cellular communications market in Israel to new competitors, resulting in significantly reduced prices. Following Isaac Herzog’s resignation, Kahlon was appointed Minister of Welfare & Social Services on January 19, 2011. However, in 2013, he decided to take a break from politics and did not participate in the Knesset elections.
There were speculations about him forming a new political party, but Kahlon announced in November 2013 that he would not do so. Nevertheless, in 2014, he surprised everyone by founding the Kulanu party in preparation for the upcoming elections in March 2015.
Moshe Kahlon introduced prominent figures such as Michael Oren, Eli Alaluf, Yifat Sasha-Biton, and Rachel Azaria to his Knesset list. In the 2015 elections, Kulanu secured ten seats and joined Binyamin Netanyahu’s coalition government. Kahlon assumed the position of Minister of Finance on May 14, 2015. He also briefly served as Minister of Environmental Protection from May 31, 2016, to August 1, 2016, and as Minister of the Economy from August 1, 2016, until January 23, 2017.
While retaining his ministerial roles, Kahlon resigned from the Knesset on January 29, 2016. He was replaced by Akram Hasson under the Norwegian Law. In the subsequent April 2019 Israeli legislative election, Kulanu’s performance declined, winning only four seats and losing six.
When Did His Political Life Ended?
In May 2020, Kulanu merged with Likud, and Kahlon was placed fifth on the party slate for the next election. There were talks of Kahlon speeding up his retirement and resigning from Netanyahu’s government before the formation of a new Israeli government. However, he later clarified that he would not retire until a new government was formed. On May 17, 2020, Kahlon officially stepped away from politics when Israel Katz took over as Minister of Finance, marking the end of his active political career.
Who is Current Minister of Economy in Israel?
If you are asking who is current minister of economy in Israel your answer is Nir Barkat. Nir Barkat’s upbringing revolved around Jerusalem, a city that held deep significance for him. His father, Zalman, made his mark as a physics professor at the Hebrew University.
The family’s roots in the land trace back to Barkat’s great-grandfather, who migrated from Russia to Mandatory Palestine in the 1920s. Sadly, his great-grandfather’s life was cut short, and he passed away in 1924. Barkat’s personal journey led him to serve in the Paratroopers Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces for a remarkable six years.
Moshe Kahlon continued to fulfill his duty through reserve duty, ultimately attaining the rank of Major. However, his dedication came at a cost. During combat in Lebanon, Barkat sustained injuries, a testament to the sacrifices made by those defending their homeland. In terms of education, Barkat pursued his interest in computer science, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Additionally, he embarked on a master’s degree in business administration at the same institution, although he hasn’t completed it. Barkat’s personal life centers around his family. He shares his journey with his wife Beverly, an artist, and they are proud parents to three daughters. Their home is located in the neighborhood of Beit HaKerem in Jerusalem, a city that holds immense significance not only in Barkat’s personal life but also in his future political endeavors.