Isaac Herzog

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Isaac "Buzi" Herzog (Hebrew: יצחק "בוזי" הרצוג, born 22 September 1960) is an Israeli politician and lawyer. He currently serves in the Knesset on behalf of the Labor Party as Social Affairs Minister. He was also previously Minister of Housing and Building and Minister of Tourism.

[edit] Background

The son of Israeli President Chaim Herzog and Aura Herzog and grandson of famous Rabbi, Yitzhak HaLevi Herzog, he was born in Tel Aviv. He studied law in Tel Aviv University and Cornell, and is now married with three children. Herzog is also known by his nickname Buzi. ^[1]

[edit] Political career

Although he did not win a seat in the 1999 elections, Herzog served as government secretary in Ehud Barak's cabinet until 2001 when Barak was beaten by Ariel Sharon in a special election for Prime Minister. In 1999, he was also investigated in the 'Amutot Barak' scandal (a scandal involving allegations that the party funding law was violated), but maintained his silence. The Attorney General, therefore, decided to close the case against him due to lack of evidence. From 2000-2003, he served as chairman of the Israel Anti-Drug Authority.

Yitzhak Herzog

Herzog managed to win a seat in the 2003 election as a member of the Labor Party, and was appointed Minister of Housing and Building at his request when Labor joined Ariel Sharon's coalition government on 10 January, 2005. However, in November 23, 2005, he resigned from his cabinet post along with the rest of the party.

Prior to the 2006 elections, Herzog won second place on Labor's list in the party's primaries. He was initially appointed Minister of Tourism in Ehud Olmert's Kadima-led coalition, but was reassigned to the Social Affairs ministry in late February after Israel Beytenu was awarded the Tourism Ministry following their late entry to the governing coalition.

Herzog is chairman and whip of the Israeli-Australian Parliamentary Association. He is also one of the few Knesset members who still serves in the Military reserve (as a Major).