Nir Barkat

Biography

Minister of Economy

Age

67

Lives in

Beit HaKerem neighborhood, Jerusalem

Education

BSc in computer science from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem; Master's studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem

Service

Enlisted in 1977, volunteered for the Paratroopers Brigade and was assigned to the 890th Battalion; completed combat training, an infantry squad commanders' course and an infantry officers' course; took part in Operation Menorah; was wounded in Operation Movil in Lebanon; served as a company commander in the 890th Battalion in the First Lebanon War; discharged in 1983 after six years of service; in the reserves commanded a company in Battalion 7008 of the Fire Arrows Formation for seven years, including during the First Intifada, and reached the rank of major

Public roles

Minister of Economy and Industry (since 2022); MK (since 2019); former Mayor of Jerusalem (2008–2018); former member of the Jerusalem city council (2003–2008)

Terms in earlier Knessets

21st, 22nd and 23rd Knessets

Main political focus

Right-wing economic policy, development of the Negev and the periphery, and settlement in Judea and Samaria

Milestones

Elected Mayor of Jerusalem in 2008 and 2013 by narrow margins (51%–52%); as Economy Minister he launched the "Israel's Basket" program to lower the cost of living, which drew widespread criticism

Notable tweets ⓘThe numbers are as of when they were collected.