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{{short description|Israeli politician}}
{{Short description|Israeli politician (born 1973)}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
|image= OLevyAS5V7987.JPG
|image = OLevyAS5V7987.JPG
|caption = Levy-Abekasis in 2015
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|11|11|df=y}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|11|11|df=y}}
|birth_place = [[Beit She'an]], [[Israel]]
|birth_place = [[Beit She'an]], [[Israel]]
|death_date =
|death_date =
|death_place =
|death_place =
|office1 = Ministerial roles

|office1 = Ministerial roles | suboffice1 =[[Ministry for Community Empowerment and Advancement|Minister for Community Empowerment and Advancement]]
|suboffice1 = [[Ministry for Community Empowerment and Advancement|Minister for Community Empowerment and Advancement]]
|subterm1 = 2020–
|subterm1 = 2020–2021

|office2=Faction represented in the [[Knesset]]
|office2=Faction represented in the [[Knesset]]
|suboffice2 = [[Yisrael Beiteinu]]
|suboffice2 = [[Yisrael Beiteinu]]
Line 18: Line 18:
|subterm4 = 2019–2021
|subterm4 = 2019–2021
|suboffice5 = [[Likud]]
|suboffice5 = [[Likud]]
|subterm5 = 2021–
|subterm5 = 2021–2022
}}
}}


'''Orly Levy-Abekasis''' ({{lang-he|אורלי לוי-אבקסיס}}, born 11 November 1973) is an [[Israel]]i politician who currently serves as a member of the Knesset for [[Likud]]. Formerly a model, Levy-Abekasis first entered the Knesset in 2009 as a representative of [[Yisrael Beiteinu]], but left the party in 2017 to sit as an independent. In 2019, she formed her own party, [[Gesher (2019 political party)|Gesher]], to contest the [[April 2019 Israeli legislative election|April 2019 elections]]. Although the party failed to win a seat, she returned to the Knesset following the [[September 2019 Israeli legislative election|September 2019 elections]], in which Gesher ran together with the [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]]. On May 2020 she was appointed by Prime Minister Netanyahu as the newly created [[Ministry for Community Empowerment and Advancement|Minister for Community Empowerment and Advancement]].<ref name=toi>{{Cite web|title=Gesher's Levy-Abekasis joins coalition, to head newly created ministry|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/geshers-levy-abekasis-joins-coalition-to-head-newly-created-ministry/|author=TOI Staff|work=[[The Times of Israel]]|date=14 May 2020|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-14}}</ref>
'''Orly Levy-Abekasis''' ({{langx|he|אורלי לוי-אבקסיס}}, born 11 November 1973) is an Israeli politician and former member of the Knesset. Formerly a model, Levy-Abekasis first entered the Knesset in 2009 as a representative of [[Yisrael Beiteinu]], but left the party in 2017 to sit as an independent. In 2019, she formed her own party, [[Gesher (2019 political party)|Gesher]], to contest the [[April 2019 Israeli legislative election|April 2019 elections]]. Although the party failed to win a seat, she returned to the Knesset following the [[September 2019 Israeli legislative election|September 2019 elections]], in which Gesher ran together with the [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]]. In May 2020 she was appointed by Prime Minister Netanyahu as the newly created [[Ministry for Community Empowerment and Advancement|Minister for Community Empowerment and Advancement]].<ref name=toi>{{Cite web|title=Gesher's Levy-Abekasis joins coalition, to head newly created ministry|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/geshers-levy-abekasis-joins-coalition-to-head-newly-created-ministry/|work=[[The Times of Israel]]|date=14 May 2020|language=en-US|access-date=2020-05-14}}</ref>

Levy-Abekasis worked as a model and a local television host,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Maltz |first=Judy |date=16 January 2019 |title=The Former TV and Fashion Star Who Could Be Israel's Next Kingmaker |language=en |work=[[Haaretz]] |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium-the-former-tv-and-fashion-celeb-who-could-be-israel-s-next-kingmaker-1.6846026 |access-date=17 January 2019}}</ref> before following her father into politics.<ref name="peraino">{{Cite news |last=Peraino |first=Kevin |date=7 February 2009 |title=An Israeli Supermodel's Bid For Knesset |work=[[Newsweek]] |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/183707 |access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> Levy-Abekasis's political views are primarily focused on social issues and issues of economic justice. Whilst a member of Yisrael Beiteinu, she was one of two governing coalition members to abstain from the controversial [[Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People|Nation State Law]].


==Biography==
==Biography==
Orly Levy was born in [[Beit She'an]], [[Israel]], to a [[Moroccan Jewish]] family. The ninth of twelve children of [[Moroccan Jews|Moroccan]]-born former [[Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel|Foreign Affairs Minister]] [[David Levy (Israeli politician)|David Levy]].<ref name=Mishpacha>{{Cite news|date=April 26, 2018|script-title=he:מפתיעת הסקרים|newspaper=[[Mishpacha]]|language=he|issue=1354|page=24}}</ref> She did her military service in the [[Israeli Air Force]], and later earned a [[law]] degree at the [[IDC Herzliya]] college.<ref name=one>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Levy-Abecasis-gets-a-boost-as-Shamir-leaves-Yisrael-Beytenu-388053|title=Levy-Abecasis gets a boost as Shamir leaves Yisrael Beytenu|work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|first=Lahav|last=Harkov|date=17 January 2015|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=P>{{cite web|url=https://www.knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=832|title=Orly Levi-Abekasis: Particulars|work=knesset.gov.il|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref>
Levy was born in [[Beit She'an]], [[Israel]], to a [[Moroccan Jewish]] family. The ninth of twelve children of [[Moroccan Jews|Moroccan]]-born former [[Foreign Affairs Minister of Israel|Foreign Affairs Minister]] [[David Levy (Israeli politician)|David Levy]].<ref name=Mishpacha>{{Cite news|date=April 26, 2018|script-title=he:מפתיעת הסקרים|newspaper=[[Mishpacha]]|language=he|issue=1354|page=24}}</ref> She did her military service in the [[Israeli Air Force]], and later earned a [[law]] degree at the [[IDC Herzliya]] college.<ref name=one>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Levy-Abecasis-gets-a-boost-as-Shamir-leaves-Yisrael-Beytenu-388053|title=Levy-Abecasis gets a boost as Shamir leaves Yisrael Beytenu|work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|first=Lahav|last=Harkov|date=17 January 2015|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=P>{{cite web|url=https://www.knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=832|title=Orly Levi-Abekasis: Particulars|work=knesset.gov.il|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref>


She is married to Lior Abekasis. They have four children, and reside in [[kibbutz]] [[Mesilot]].<ref name=P/> Her brother [[Jackie Levy|Jackie]] served as mayor of [[Beit She'an]] for the [[Likud]].<ref name=Mishpacha/><ref name=one/>
She is married to Lior Abekasis. They have four children, and reside in [[kibbutz]] [[Mesilot]].<ref name=P/> Her brother [[Jackie Levy|Jackie]] served as mayor of [[Beit She'an]] for the [[Likud]].<ref name=Mishpacha/><ref name=one/>

==Television and modeling career==
Levy-Abekasis worked as a model and a local television host,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium-the-former-tv-and-fashion-celeb-who-could-be-israel-s-next-kingmaker-1.6846026|title=The Former TV and Fashion Star Who Could Be Israel's Next Kingmaker|last=Maltz|first=Judy|date=16 January 2019|work=[[Haaretz]]|access-date=17 January 2019|language=en}}</ref> before following her father into politics.<ref name=peraino>{{Cite news|last=Peraino |first=Kevin |title=An Israeli Supermodel's Bid For Knesset |work=[[Newsweek]]|access-date=9 October 2020|date=7 February 2009 |url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/183707}}</ref>


==Political career==
==Political career==
For the [[2009 Israeli legislative election|2009 elections]], Levy-Abekasis was placed sixth on the [[Yisrael Beiteinu]] list,<ref>{{cite news |author= JTA Staff |title=The party lists for Feb. 10 |work=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |date=February 2, 2009 |access-date=9 October 2020 |url=https://www.jta.org/2009/02/02/israel/the-party-lists-for-feb-10}}</ref> and entered the Knesset after the party won fifteen seats. During her first term, she served as Deputy [[Speaker of the Knesset]] and Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.<ref name=KA>{{cite web|url=https://www.knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=832|title=Orly Levi-Abekasis: Knesset Activities|website=knesset.gov.il|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> For the [[2013 Israeli legislative election|2013 elections]], Levy-Abekasis was placed 16th on the [[Likud Yisrael Beiteinu]] list, and entered the Knesset after the party won 31 seats. She was re-appointed Chair of the Committee of the Rights of the Child.<ref name=KA/> In January 2015, it was announced that she would be second on the Yisrael Beiteinu list for the [[2015 Israeli legislative election|March 2015 elections]].<ref name=one/>
For the [[2009 Israeli legislative election|2009 elections]], Levy-Abekasis was placed sixth on the [[Yisrael Beiteinu]] list,<ref>{{cite news|title=The party lists for Feb. 10 |work=[[Jewish Telegraphic Agency]] |date=February 2, 2009 |access-date=9 October 2020 |url=https://www.jta.org/2009/02/02/israel/the-party-lists-for-feb-10}}</ref> and entered the Knesset after the party won fifteen seats. During her first term, she served as Deputy [[Speaker of the Knesset]] and Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.<ref name=KA>{{cite web|url=https://www.knesset.gov.il/mk/eng/mk_eng.asp?mk_individual_id_t=832|title=Orly Levi-Abekasis: Knesset Activities|website=knesset.gov.il|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> For the [[2013 Israeli legislative election|2013 elections]], Levy-Abekasis was placed 16th on the [[Likud Yisrael Beiteinu]] list, and entered the Knesset after the party won 31 seats. She was re-appointed Chair of the Committee of the Rights of the Child.<ref name=KA/> In January 2015, it was announced that she would be second on the Yisrael Beiteinu list for the [[2015 Israeli legislative election|March 2015 elections]].<ref name=one/>


In May 2016, she announced she was quitting Yisrael Beiteinu due to the lack of attention to social affairs in the party's negotiations over joining the coalition government.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Levy-Abecasis-leaves-Yisrael-Beytenu-amid-coalition-talks-454477 |title= Levy-Abecasis leaves Yisrael Beytenu amid coalition talks |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |access-date= 24 June 2017 |date= May 19, 2016 |first= Lahav |last= Harkov}}</ref> She officially became an independent MK on 15 March 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://knesset.gov.il/faction/eng/FactionHistoryAll_eng.asp|title=Mergers and Splits Among Parliamentary Groups|website= knesset.gov.il|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> Due to leaving Yisrael Beiteinu during a Knesset term, she was limited by Knesset protocol from running for the next elections.<ref>{{cite news |title= Orly Levy-Abekasis announces new political party |url= https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5147315,00.html |work= [[Ynetnews]]|first1=Moran|last1=Azulay|first2=Matan|last2=Tzuri |date=3 June 2018|access-date=9 October 2020 |language= en}}</ref> As a result, in March 2018, she announced plans to form a new party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yisrael Beytenu rebel announces formation of new party|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/yisrael-beytenu-rebel-announces-formation-of-new-party/|work=The Times of Israel|date=6 March 2018|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref>
In May 2016, she announced she was quitting Yisrael Beiteinu due to the need for more attention to social affairs in the party's negotiations over joining the coalition government.<ref>{{Cite news |url= http://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Politics-And-Diplomacy/Levy-Abecasis-leaves-Yisrael-Beytenu-amid-coalition-talks-454477 |title= Levy-Abecasis leaves Yisrael Beytenu amid coalition talks |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]] |access-date= 24 June 2017 |date= May 19, 2016 |first= Lahav |last= Harkov}}</ref> She officially became an independent MK on 15 March 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://knesset.gov.il/faction/eng/FactionHistoryAll_eng.asp|title=Mergers and Splits Among Parliamentary Groups|website= knesset.gov.il|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> Due to leaving Yisrael Beiteinu during a Knesset term, she was limited by Knesset protocol from running for the next elections.<ref>{{cite news |title= Orly Levy-Abekasis announces new political party |url= https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5147315,00.html |work= [[Ynetnews]]|first1=Moran|last1=Azulay|first2=Matan|last2=Tzuri |date=3 June 2018|access-date=9 October 2020 |language= en}}</ref> As a result, in March 2018, she announced plans to form a new party.<ref>{{cite news|title=Yisrael Beytenu rebel announces formation of new party|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/yisrael-beytenu-rebel-announces-formation-of-new-party/|work=The Times of Israel|date=6 March 2018|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref>


In December 2018, the party was named Gesher, reviving the name of [[Gesher (political party)|the party founded by her father]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite news |title= Orly Levy-Abekasis forms her own party ahead of April elections |url= https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Orly-Levy-Abekasis-forms-her-own-party-ahead-of-April-elections-575423 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date= 25 December 2018|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> In the [[April 2019 Israeli legislative election|April 2019 elections]], the new party failed to cross the electoral threshold.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kulanu stays in Knesset, Gesher out |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Kulanu-stays-in-Knesset-Gesher-out-586298 |work=The Jerusalem Post|author=Hoffman, Gil |date= 10 April 2019|access-date=31 August 2019}}</ref> However, after a failure to form a new government, the newly elected Knesset voted to dissolve itself in May 2019, and snap elections were called for September.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Elections-set-for-Sept-17-after-coalition-talks-fail-591044|title=Israel goes back to elections as Netanyahu fails to form coalition |date=30 May 2019|work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|access-date=29 July 2019|first1=Gil|last1=Hoffman|first2=Lahav|last2=Harkov}}</ref> On 18 July, Gesher agreed to form an electoral alliance with [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Centist-left-wing-parties-gang-up-on-Ehud-Barak-596087 |title=Labor nabs Orly Levy-Abekasis, Left joint list called off |date=18 July 2019 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|first1=Gil|last1=Hoffman|first2=Jeremy|last2=Sharon|first3=Tamar|last3=Beeri|access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref> with Levy-Abekasis placed second on the joint list.<ref>{{cite news|title=All the Candidates Running in Israel's September Do-over Election|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/all-the-candidates-running-in-israel-s-september-do-over-elections-1.7615305|work=[[Haaretz]]|date=2 August 2019|access-date=29 August 2019}}</ref> She returned to the Knesset as the alliance won six seats.
In December 2018, the party was named Gesher, reviving the name of [[Gesher (political party)|the party founded by her father]] in 1996.<ref>{{cite news |title= Orly Levy-Abekasis forms her own party ahead of April elections |url= https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Orly-Levy-Abekasis-forms-her-own-party-ahead-of-April-elections-575423 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date= 25 December 2018|access-date=9 October 2020}}</ref> In the [[April 2019 Israeli legislative election|April 2019 elections]], the new party failed to cross the electoral threshold.<ref>{{cite news |title=Kulanu stays in Knesset, Gesher out |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-Elections/Kulanu-stays-in-Knesset-Gesher-out-586298 |work=The Jerusalem Post|author=Hoffman, Gil |date= 10 April 2019|access-date=31 August 2019}}</ref> However, after a failure to form a new government, the newly elected Knesset voted to dissolve itself in May 2019, and snap elections were called for September.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Elections-set-for-Sept-17-after-coalition-talks-fail-591044|title=Israel goes back to elections as Netanyahu fails to form coalition |date=30 May 2019|work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|access-date=29 July 2019|first1=Gil|last1=Hoffman|first2=Lahav|last2=Harkov}}</ref> On 18 July, Gesher agreed to form an electoral alliance with [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Centist-left-wing-parties-gang-up-on-Ehud-Barak-596087 |title=Labor nabs Orly Levy-Abekasis, Left joint list called off |date=18 July 2019 |work=[[The Jerusalem Post]]|first1=Gil|last1=Hoffman|first2=Jeremy|last2=Sharon|first3=Tamar|last3=Beeri|access-date=18 July 2019}}</ref> with Levy-Abekasis placed second on the joint list.<ref>{{cite news|title=All the Candidates Running in Israel's September Do-over Election|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/all-the-candidates-running-in-israel-s-september-do-over-elections-1.7615305|work=[[Haaretz]]|date=2 August 2019|access-date=29 August 2019}}</ref> She returned to the Knesset as the alliance won six seats.
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For the [[2021 Israeli legislative election|2021 elections]], Levy-Abekasis was placed twenty-sixth on [[Likud]]'s list<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wootliff |first1=Raoul |title=Netanyahu recruits first-ever Muslim to Likud list, also adds firebrand novelist |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-recruits-firebrand-right-wing-novelist-to-bolster-likud-party-slate/ |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |date=4 February 2021|accessdate=9 April 2021}}</ref> and retained her seat in the Knesset, as Likud won thirty seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/reform-rabbi-kahanist-agitator-firebrand-novelist-welcome-to-the-24th-knesset/|title=Reform rabbi, Kahanist agitator, firebrand writer: The new Knesset's 16 rookies|work=[[The Times of Israel]]|date=26 March 2021|accessdate=9 April 2021|first1=Raoul|last1=Wootliff|first2=Jacob|last2=Magid}}</ref>
For the [[2021 Israeli legislative election|2021 elections]], Levy-Abekasis was placed twenty-sixth on [[Likud]]'s list<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wootliff |first1=Raoul |title=Netanyahu recruits first-ever Muslim to Likud list, also adds firebrand novelist |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-recruits-firebrand-right-wing-novelist-to-bolster-likud-party-slate/ |work=[[The Times of Israel]] |date=4 February 2021|accessdate=9 April 2021}}</ref> and retained her seat in the Knesset, as Likud won thirty seats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/reform-rabbi-kahanist-agitator-firebrand-novelist-welcome-to-the-24th-knesset/|title=Reform rabbi, Kahanist agitator, firebrand writer: The new Knesset's 16 rookies|work=[[The Times of Israel]]|date=26 March 2021|accessdate=9 April 2021|first1=Raoul|last1=Wootliff|first2=Jacob|last2=Magid}}</ref>


For the [[2022 Israeli legislative election|2022 elections]], Levy-Abekasis was placed fiftieth on [[Likud]]'s list<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/party-jumper-orly-levy-abekasis-likely-to-be-on-outside-looking-in-at-next-knesset/|title=Party-jumper Orly Levy-Abekasis likely to be on outside looking in at next Knesset|work=The Times of Israel|date=11 August 2022|access-date=3 December 2022}}</ref> and lost her seat in the Knesset, as Likud won thirty-two seats.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fox |first=Nina |date=3 November 2022 |title=שרים מכהנים, ח"כים שזגזגו: הנציגים שלא יחזרו לכנסת |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/news/election2022/article/bjuyozbss |access-date=3 December 2022}}</ref>
==Views and opinions==

Levy-Abekasis's political views are primarily focused on social issues and issues of economic justice. Whilst a member of Yisrael Beiteinu, she was one of two members of the governing coalition to abstain from the controversial [[Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People|Nation State Law]].
==Media appearances==
In 2023 Levy-Abekasis competed in the [[Rokdim Im Kokhavim#Season 9|ninth season]] of [[Rokdim Im Kokhavim]] ('Dancing with the Stars'), in which she was the eleventh person eliminated (out of 18 couples).<ref>{{Cite news|date=15 June 2023 |title=אורלי לוי אבקסיס היא המודחת החמישית מ"רוקדים עם כוכבים" |language=he |url=https://www.mako.co.il/tv-dancing_with_the_stars/season2-articles/Article-04c13057f60c881027.htm |website=Mako |access-date=16 August 2024}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{Commons category|Orly Levy}}
{{Commons category|Orly Levy}}
*{{MKlink|id=832}}
*{{MKlink|id=832}}

{{Current MKs}}


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Latest revision as of 20:11, 24 November 2024

Orly Levy-Abekasis
Levy-Abekasis in 2015
Ministerial roles
2020–2021Minister for Community Empowerment and Advancement
Faction represented in the Knesset
2009–2017Yisrael Beiteinu
2017–2019Independent
2019–2021Gesher
2021–2022Likud
Personal details
Born (1973-11-11) 11 November 1973 (age 51)
Beit She'an, Israel

Orly Levy-Abekasis (Hebrew: אורלי לוי-אבקסיס, born 11 November 1973) is an Israeli politician and former member of the Knesset. Formerly a model, Levy-Abekasis first entered the Knesset in 2009 as a representative of Yisrael Beiteinu, but left the party in 2017 to sit as an independent. In 2019, she formed her own party, Gesher, to contest the April 2019 elections. Although the party failed to win a seat, she returned to the Knesset following the September 2019 elections, in which Gesher ran together with the Labor Party. In May 2020 she was appointed by Prime Minister Netanyahu as the newly created Minister for Community Empowerment and Advancement.[1]

Levy-Abekasis worked as a model and a local television host,[2] before following her father into politics.[3] Levy-Abekasis's political views are primarily focused on social issues and issues of economic justice. Whilst a member of Yisrael Beiteinu, she was one of two governing coalition members to abstain from the controversial Nation State Law.

Biography

[edit]

Levy was born in Beit She'an, Israel, to a Moroccan Jewish family. The ninth of twelve children of Moroccan-born former Foreign Affairs Minister David Levy.[4] She did her military service in the Israeli Air Force, and later earned a law degree at the IDC Herzliya college.[5][6]

She is married to Lior Abekasis. They have four children, and reside in kibbutz Mesilot.[6] Her brother Jackie served as mayor of Beit She'an for the Likud.[4][5]

Political career

[edit]

For the 2009 elections, Levy-Abekasis was placed sixth on the Yisrael Beiteinu list,[7] and entered the Knesset after the party won fifteen seats. During her first term, she served as Deputy Speaker of the Knesset and Chair of the Committee on the Rights of the Child.[8] For the 2013 elections, Levy-Abekasis was placed 16th on the Likud Yisrael Beiteinu list, and entered the Knesset after the party won 31 seats. She was re-appointed Chair of the Committee of the Rights of the Child.[8] In January 2015, it was announced that she would be second on the Yisrael Beiteinu list for the March 2015 elections.[5]

In May 2016, she announced she was quitting Yisrael Beiteinu due to the need for more attention to social affairs in the party's negotiations over joining the coalition government.[9] She officially became an independent MK on 15 March 2017.[10] Due to leaving Yisrael Beiteinu during a Knesset term, she was limited by Knesset protocol from running for the next elections.[11] As a result, in March 2018, she announced plans to form a new party.[12]

In December 2018, the party was named Gesher, reviving the name of the party founded by her father in 1996.[13] In the April 2019 elections, the new party failed to cross the electoral threshold.[14] However, after a failure to form a new government, the newly elected Knesset voted to dissolve itself in May 2019, and snap elections were called for September.[15] On 18 July, Gesher agreed to form an electoral alliance with Labor,[16] with Levy-Abekasis placed second on the joint list.[17] She returned to the Knesset as the alliance won six seats.

In May 2020, she was made head of the newly created Ministry for Community Empowerment and Advancement after she signed a coalition deal with Likud.[1]

For the 2021 elections, Levy-Abekasis was placed twenty-sixth on Likud's list[18] and retained her seat in the Knesset, as Likud won thirty seats.[19]

For the 2022 elections, Levy-Abekasis was placed fiftieth on Likud's list[20] and lost her seat in the Knesset, as Likud won thirty-two seats.[21]

Media appearances

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In 2023 Levy-Abekasis competed in the ninth season of Rokdim Im Kokhavim ('Dancing with the Stars'), in which she was the eleventh person eliminated (out of 18 couples).[22]

References

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  1. ^ a b "Gesher's Levy-Abekasis joins coalition, to head newly created ministry". The Times of Israel. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 2020-05-14.
  2. ^ Maltz, Judy (16 January 2019). "The Former TV and Fashion Star Who Could Be Israel's Next Kingmaker". Haaretz. Retrieved 17 January 2019.
  3. ^ Peraino, Kevin (7 February 2009). "An Israeli Supermodel's Bid For Knesset". Newsweek. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  4. ^ a b מפתיעת הסקרים. Mishpacha (in Hebrew). No. 1354. April 26, 2018. p. 24.
  5. ^ a b c Harkov, Lahav (17 January 2015). "Levy-Abecasis gets a boost as Shamir leaves Yisrael Beytenu". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Orly Levi-Abekasis: Particulars". knesset.gov.il. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  7. ^ "The party lists for Feb. 10". Jewish Telegraphic Agency. February 2, 2009. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  8. ^ a b "Orly Levi-Abekasis: Knesset Activities". knesset.gov.il. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  9. ^ Harkov, Lahav (May 19, 2016). "Levy-Abecasis leaves Yisrael Beytenu amid coalition talks". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 24 June 2017.
  10. ^ "Mergers and Splits Among Parliamentary Groups". knesset.gov.il. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  11. ^ Azulay, Moran; Tzuri, Matan (3 June 2018). "Orly Levy-Abekasis announces new political party". Ynetnews. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  12. ^ "Yisrael Beytenu rebel announces formation of new party". The Times of Israel. 6 March 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  13. ^ "Orly Levy-Abekasis forms her own party ahead of April elections". The Jerusalem Post. 25 December 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  14. ^ Hoffman, Gil (10 April 2019). "Kulanu stays in Knesset, Gesher out". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  15. ^ Hoffman, Gil; Harkov, Lahav (30 May 2019). "Israel goes back to elections as Netanyahu fails to form coalition". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 29 July 2019.
  16. ^ Hoffman, Gil; Sharon, Jeremy; Beeri, Tamar (18 July 2019). "Labor nabs Orly Levy-Abekasis, Left joint list called off". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 18 July 2019.
  17. ^ "All the Candidates Running in Israel's September Do-over Election". Haaretz. 2 August 2019. Retrieved 29 August 2019.
  18. ^ Wootliff, Raoul (4 February 2021). "Netanyahu recruits first-ever Muslim to Likud list, also adds firebrand novelist". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  19. ^ Wootliff, Raoul; Magid, Jacob (26 March 2021). "Reform rabbi, Kahanist agitator, firebrand writer: The new Knesset's 16 rookies". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 9 April 2021.
  20. ^ "Party-jumper Orly Levy-Abekasis likely to be on outside looking in at next Knesset". The Times of Israel. 11 August 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  21. ^ Fox, Nina (3 November 2022). "שרים מכהנים, ח"כים שזגזגו: הנציגים שלא יחזרו לכנסת". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  22. ^ "אורלי לוי אבקסיס היא המודחת החמישית מ"רוקדים עם כוכבים"". Mako (in Hebrew). 15 June 2023. Retrieved 16 August 2024.
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