Salman Zarka

Salman Zarka was born in 1964 in Peki'in

Zarka was born in 1964 in Peki'in, in the Upper Galilee, to a large Druze family. In 1982 he began medical studies at the Technion in Haifa through the IDF academic reserve program.

He later earned a master's degree in epidemiology and public health from the Hebrew University and a master's degree in political science and national security from the University of Haifa. He is a graduate of the National Security College and holds specialties in public health and medical management.

After receiving his medical degree, he served in the IDF for over 25 years in a series of medical command posts. He reached the rank of colonel and remains a reservist.

In December 2014 he became director of Ziv Medical Center in Safed. Doctors who lost the tender sued, and the Labour Court ordered a repeat tender, which Zarka won again. Under his direction the hospital treated wounded Syrians as part of Israeli humanitarian aid.

He has taught at the University of Haifa, the Hebrew University and Bar-Ilan University. In 2020 he joined advisory bodies on the coronavirus, and in July 2021 he was named national COVID czar. In May 2022 he returned to run Ziv Medical Center while keeping both roles.