Rafi Peled

Rafi Peled was born in 1944 in HaZore'a

Rafi Peled was born on July 2, 1944, in Kibbutz HaZore'a to Hilda and Uri Aloni. His father, a Haganah member and IDF officer, fell in the War of Independence near Negba. After his mother also died, he was adopted by Hela and Zeev Peled of the same kibbutz.

He joined the IDF in 1962 and served in the Paratroopers Brigade, leaving as a captain in 1967. From 1969 to 1975 he served in the Shin Bet. He holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and studied political science at the University of Haifa.

In the police he rose through intelligence posts, heading the Intelligence Branch from 1988 and commanding the Southern and Jerusalem districts. In April 1993 he became the 11th Inspector General. After press reports on benefits he received, known as the Jacuzzi affair, he resigned on May 1, 1994.

He headed the Israel Electric Corporation from 1995 to 2000 and briefly led the Prime Minister's Office in 2001. A business group he founded collapsed in 2002, and in 2012 he was convicted of fraud and breach of trust in a corporation. His fine was later doubled on appeal.

Peled also paints and sculpts and is a member of the Israel Painters and Sculptors Association. His sculptures stand in Tel Aviv and Petah Tikva.