Rafael Edri

Rafael Edri was born in 1937 in Casablanca

Edri was born in Casablanca, Morocco, in 1937. In Morocco he was active in the Habonim youth movement. He moved to Israel in 1956, settled in Hatzor HaGlilit and studied at a school of administration in Jerusalem.

From 1957 he worked for the Hatzor HaGlilit local council as an aide to its head. He led Mapai and later Labor there in the 1965, 1969 and 1973 local elections. He lost each time but headed the council for short periods through coalitions formed during the terms.

He chaired the Kiryat Shmona development company from 1970 and became CEO of Shikun Ovdim in 1977. In 1988 he headed the new parent company of Shikun Ovdim and Solel Boneh. He moved to Herzliya Pituah in 1978.

Edri entered the Knesset in 1981 and was a minister without portfolio from 1988 to 1990. In March 1990 he became Minister of Environmental Protection and resigned a week later when the Alignment left the government. He took part in talks with Shas during the dirty trick affair and was a deputy Speaker from 1992 to 1999.

He left the Knesset in 1999 and advised the presidents of Togo on economic and mining affairs. He also served as a contact with King Hassan II of Morocco. He died on 22 June 2024.