Former Knesset member and Israel Prize Laureate David Levy dies at 86

Former Knesset member, minister, and Israel Prize laureate David Levy has died at the age of 86.

David Levy immigrated from Morocco in 1957 at the age of 20 and settled in Beit She'an, where he lived for many years.

Starting his career in the Histadrut, he was first elected to the Knesset in 1969. Over the next 20 years, he held various ministerial positions, including Minister of Absorption, Minister of Housing, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Deputy Prime Minister.

Levy was one of the first representatives of the Eastern communities in Israeli politics and had significant influence in both the leadership and grassroots organizations of the Likud party. After Yitzhak Shamir left politics, Levy was considered a potential candidate for the party's leadership.

After 36 years in the Knesset, Likud, and the Gesher Party, David Levy retired from politics.

In 2018, Levy received the Israel Prize for his state and public service.

He is remembered as the Minister of Construction who, in 13 years, made housing more affordable for most Israelis.