Gideon Moshe Sa'ar, born in Tel Aviv in 1966, has maintained a multifaceted career in Israeli public life as a lawyer, journalist, and politician. Across several decades, he held numerous ministerial roles and served multiple terms in the Knesset, representing different political factions while navigating the complex shifting landscape of Israel's governing coalitions since the early 2000s.
Early Life and Service
Born to a physician father and a teacher mother, Sa'ar spent his childhood in Tel Aviv, Mitzpe Ramon, and kibbutz Sde Boker. During his youth, he occasionally encountered David Ben-Gurion while accompanying his father on professional rounds. He attended Tichon Hadash high school and later served as an intelligence NCO within the Golani Brigade of the Israel Defense Forces. He pursued academic studies at Tel Aviv University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in political science and law.
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After working as a journalist for HaHadashot 12 in 1993 and holding legal advisory roles to the Attorney General and State Attorney, Sa'ar entered national politics. He served as Cabinet Secretary from 2001 to 2002. In 2003, he secured a seat in the Knesset representing Likud. His early parliamentary work included chairing the Committee on the Status of Women and proposing legislation to protect pregnant workers and regulate cosmetic animal testing. He served as Minister of Education from 2009 to 2013 and Minister of the Interior from 2013 to 2014, before taking a political hiatus in late 2014.
Political Realignment and Leadership
Sa'ar returned to the Knesset in 2019 and challenged Benjamin Netanyahu for the leadership of Likud, ultimately receiving 27.5% of the vote. In 2020, he founded the New Hope party. He served as Minister of Justice and Deputy Prime Minister in the Bennett-Lapid government beginning in 2021. After the outbreak of the Gaza war, he joined the coalition as a minister without portfolio and observer in the war cabinet. Following his departure and subsequent return to the government, he was appointed Foreign Minister in November 2024, eventually resigning his Knesset seat in July 2025.
Fast facts
- Born: 9 December 1966, Tel Aviv
- Education: Tel Aviv University
- Military service: Intelligence NCO, Golani Brigade
- Key positions: Minister of Education, Minister of the Interior, Foreign Minister
- Party history: Likud, New Hope, National Unity
- Awards: Officer and Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic
- Religion: Judaism
- Language proficiency: English, Hebrew
Questions readers ask
Did Gideon Sa'ar ever serve as Minister of Education?
Yes, he held the position of Minister of Education between 2009 and 2013.
What was the New Hope party?
New Hope was a political party established by Sa'ar in 2020 after he resigned from the Likud party.
