Rafi Saar

Rafi Saar was born in 1967 in Kfar Saba

Rafi Saar was born on 25 September 1967 in Kfar Saba, under the name Rafael Saadon. He grew up in the city and attended Katznelson high school there from 1982 to 1985.

He served in the Engineering Corps. He then studied at Bar-Ilan University, earning bachelor's degrees in political science and sociology and a master's degree in business management. He also graduated from studies at the Institute for Local Government.

After working at the Histadrut, he joined the Kfar Saba municipality in 1994. He became an aide to mayor Itzhak Vald and in 2002 was named the municipality's general manager, leaving in early 2004. From 2009 to 2014 he was general manager of the Hod HaSharon municipality, and later worked at the Communications Ministry, the Israel Land Authority and the Interior Ministry.

In 2008 he ran for head of the Kochav Yair Tzur Yigal council, lost, and sat in the opposition. In 2018 he was elected mayor of Kfar Saba with 53.2% in a second round against Yossi Sedbon. He was reelected in 2024 with 46.89% of the vote.

On 12 October 2026 it was reported that Saar, his wife and others were arrested by police on suspicion of involvement in a corruption affair, including bribery and money laundering. He suspended himself from office, and his deputy took over his duties. He is married and has 3 children.