A dictionary of economic terms in Arabic, English and Hebrew marked the early career of Yariv Levin, who was born in Jerusalem on 22 June 1969. Before entering the national legislature, he navigated the legal sector as a commercial lawyer, eventually transitioning into party politics to influence judicial oversight and government administration from within the Likud faction.
Legal and Bar Association Work
Levin earned an LLB from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He established the New Young Lawyers Faction, known as Mahatz, in 1999 to participate in Israel Bar Association elections. As a representative on the National Council and Jerusalem District Committee, he rose to serve as Vice Chairman of the association. Between 2003 and 2005, he acted as Chairman, focusing on lawyer ethics, the Schar Mitzvah legal aid project, and courtroom conduct surveys.
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Following his 2009 election to the Knesset, Levin became Chairman of the House Committee. His legislative focus included the 2010 Referendum bill regarding territorial transfers and the 2009 abolition of the Commissioner of Future Generations role. By 2013, he was appointed Chairman of the Coalition. He later chaired the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee during the early months of 2015.
Ministerial and Speakership Roles
Appointed Minister of Tourism in 2015, Levin briefly held the title of Minister of Internal Security for eleven days before resigning to accommodate Gilad Erdan. He served as the acting Minister of Aliyah and Integration between December 2018 and January 2019. In his capacity as a legislator, he served two stints as Speaker of the Knesset, first from 2020 to 2021 and briefly in December 2022.
Judicial Policy
As Minister of Justice starting in 2022, Levin became a prominent figure in debates regarding the Israeli judicial branch. He is associated with the 2023 judicial reform proposals. His tenure involves ongoing friction with the judiciary, highlighted by his refusal to recognize Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit following the 2025 appointment.
Fast facts
- Born: 22 June 1969, Jerusalem
- Education: Hebrew University of Jerusalem
- Early occupation: Arabic translator
- Current position: Minister of Justice
- Primary political party: Likud
- Spouse: Yifat
- Residence: Modi'in
Questions readers ask
What military experience did Yariv Levin have?
He served in the IDF Intelligence Corps as an Arabic translator and later commanded an Arabic translation course.
How many children does he have?
Yariv Levin and his wife Yifat have three children.
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