Politicsיצחק כהן

Isaac Cohen

Yitzhak Cohen is an Israeli Shas politician who served in the Knesset from 1996 to 2021 and held several ministerial posts.

born 1951Co-founding the Shas partyMinister of Religious ServicesDeputy Minister of Finance

Born: 2 October 1951, Ashkelon
Occupation: politician
Party: Shas

Isaac Cohen was born in 1951 in Ashkelon

Cohen was born in Ashkelon in 1951. His parents came from Tripoli, Libya, and the family moved to Israel in 1949. He was the youngest son, and his eldest brother Avraham was killed during military activity in 1956.

He studied at a Talmudic college. From 1969 to 1975 he served in the Israeli Air Force as a jet engine mechanic.

Cohen was among the founders of Shas in 1982 and sat on the Ashkelon city council from 1983, serving as deputy mayor. He also ran the Shas education network. He entered the Knesset in 1996 and became Minister of Religious Affairs in 1999, leaving the post in 2000.

He was Deputy Minister of Finance from 2001 and again in later governments. In 2006 he became a minister in charge of religious councils, and in 2008 he headed the new Ministry of Religious Services. In 2020 he briefly served as Minister of Construction and Housing and minister in the Finance Ministry.

In 2018 he left the Knesset under the Norwegian Law, and he returned in 2019. In February 2021 he announced his retirement from politics. He lives in Ashkelon, is married and has 10 children.

Isaac Cohen's life in 10 milestones

1951
Born in Ashkelon.
1969
Joined the Israeli Air Force.
1982
Helped found the Shas party.
1996
Elected to the Knesset.
1999
Became Minister of Religious Affairs.
2001
Became Deputy Minister of Finance.
2008
Appointed to head the Ministry of Religious Services.
2013
Received the Knight of Quality Government award.
2020
Served briefly as Minister of Construction and Housing.
2021
Announced his retirement from politics.

Isaac Cohen held 3 offices between 1996 and 2021

1951today

Knesset member 1996 to 2018, 2019 to 2021
Minister of Religious Services 1999 to 2000, 2008 to 2009
Minister without portfolio 2006 to 2008

Isaac Cohen served in the military

Cohen served in the Israeli Air Force from 1969 to 1975 as a jet engine mechanic at Ramat David and Hatzerim bases. He was discharged as a sergeant major.

Shas