Yoel Lavi

Yoel Lavi was born in 1950

Yoel Lavi was born on 8 February 1950 as Yoel Levkovich. He earned a bachelor's degree in history from Tel Aviv University and a master's degree in mathematics and social sciences from the University of Haifa. He also holds a master's degree in business administration from Heriot-Watt University.

He joined the IDF in 1967 and moved to the Armored Corps in 1968. He was wounded in the Yom Kippur War and was recognized as a disabled veteran. He later commanded Battalion 75 and held staff posts, retiring in 1992 as a colonel.

From 1991 to 1993 he was CEO of Nof HaMifratz Eilat. In 1993 he was elected mayor of Ramla and served 5 terms in a row. During his tenure the city was the first in Israel to issue a municipal bond, and it formed twin city ties with several cities abroad.

He was placed 114th on the Kadima list for the 2009 Knesset elections. In 2008 a planned appointment to head the Israel Land Administration was blocked by the attorney general over remarks about Arabs, and the High Court upheld the decision. In 2009 police recommended charging him over coalition agreements, but he was not indicted.

He resigned as mayor in April 2017 and in May 2017 became chairman of the state company Ashra. He ran again for mayor of Ramla in 2024 and lost to Michael Vidal in the second round.