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Eli Cohen (politician, born 1972)

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Eli Cohen
Cohen in 2017
Ministerial roles
2017–2020Minister of the Economy & Industry
2020–2021Minister of Intelligence
2022–2024Minister of Foreign Affairs
2024–Minister of Energy & Infrastructure
Faction represented in the Knesset
2015–2019Kulanu
2019–2023Likud
Personal details
Born (1972-10-03) 3 October 1972 (age 52)
Holon, Israel[1]

Eli (Eliahu) Cohen (Hebrew: אֵלִי כֹּהֵן; born 3 October 1972) is an Israeli politician serving as the Minister of Energy and Infrastructure for the Likud party and a member of the Security Cabinet. He previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Economy and Industry, Minister of Intelligence, and Chair of the Reforms Committee. Cohen is a certified public accountant and has held senior positions in the private sector.[2]

Biography

Eli Cohen was born and raised in Holon.[3] During his military service in the Israeli Air Force, he rose to the rank of Major. While serving, he pursued and completed a bachelor's degree in accounting at Tel Aviv University, another bachelor's degree with honors in management and economics at the Open University, [4]and a master's degree in business administration with a specialization in finance and accounting at Tel Aviv University. Later, Cohen lectured at Tel Aviv University in the fields of management, finance, and accounting.[5]

In 2000, after completing his military service, Cohen began working as a certified public accountant at BDO Ziv Haft, where he led the Economic Department within the Professional Division. In 2003, he joined the credit rating company S&P Maalot. By 2007, Cohen was appointed Vice President at Hevrat HaHachshara, and later promoted to Deputy CEO. In this role, he oversaw the daily operations of the group’s companies and served as a director across all subsidiaries.[6]

Political career

Cohen began his political activity in the Likud branch in Holon[7]. In 2015, he was elected to the Knesset, and in July of that year, he was appointed to head a parliamentary committee tasked with handling specific legislation forwarded by the Knesset Committee[8][9]. This committee became known as the "Reforms Committee." During his tenure, Cohen advanced the establishment of an independent Capital Market Authority and the Urban Renewal Authority. Additionally, the committee approved reforms aimed at increasing competition in the banking sector.[10]

Cohen was recognized as one of the 100 most influential figures in the Israeli economy by TheMarker magazine. In 2016, 2018, and 2019, he was included in the annual list of influential figures by Maariv. In 2018 and 2024, he was once again featured in TheMarker's annual top 100 list.[11]

Minister of Economy and Industry

On 23 January 2017, Cohen was appointed Minister of Economy and Industry.[12] During his term, he promoted free trade agreements with several countries, including Canada, Switzerland, the Faroe Islands, the Virgin Islands, Malta, Nauru, Ukraine, Panama, and Liechtenstein. Under his leadership, Israeli exports exceeded $100 billion for the first time.[13][14]

Cohen launched a program allocating NIS 400 million to promote innovation in Israel’s peripheral regions. He spearheaded reforms to dismantle the monopoly of the Standards Institute, simplifying regulatory processes. During his term, unemployment dropped to a historic low of 3.8%.

In February 2018, the Knesset approved a change to the Standards Law led by Cohen, adopting international standards without specific adaptations for Israel. In May 2019, Cohen signed an order easing the personal import of products such as dietary supplements, cosmetics, car parts, and transportation products.

In the 21st Knesset elections, Cohen was placed second on the Kulanu party list and was elected. Ahead of the 22nd Knesset elections, Kulanu merged with Likud. Cohen was placed 15th on the Likud list and was re-elected. He retained his seat in subsequent elections for the 23rd and 24th Knessets.[15]

Member of the Security Cabinet

On 13 May 2019, Cohen was appointed as a member of the Security Cabinet, a position he held until 13 June 2021, when the government transitioned. He rejoined the Security Cabinet in the 37th government as Minister of Foreign Affairs.[16]

Minister of Intelligence

On 17 May 2020, Cohen was appointed Minister of Intelligence as part of Israel’s 35th government. [9]In this role, he worked to strengthen relations with African nations. In January 2021, he conducted an official visit to Sudan, marking the first visit by an Israeli minister to the country. [17]During the visit, Cohen met with Sudanese leaders, including President Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, Defense Minister Yassin Ibrahim, and other senior officials.

Cohen also initiated technological incubators in Israel's peripheral regions and launched a program to train young women for technological roles in elite units of the Israel Defense Forces and other security agencies.[18]

Foreign minister

Cohen with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Jerusalem, 30 January 2023
Cohen with UK foreign secretary James Cleverly in Jerusalem, 11 September 2023

Upon the inauguration of Israel’s 37th government, Cohen was appointed Minister of foreign minister on behalf of the new Likud government, in rotation with Israel Katz.[19] . On 1 February 2023, he visited Sudan and met with its leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Foreign Minister Ali al-Sadiq.[20] Later that year, he visited Kyiv to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, becoming the first Israeli minister to visit since the outbreak of the war. He also visited India and met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, marking the first Israeli ministerial visit to India in 19 years.

In February 2023 Cohen flew to Sudan and met with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, president of the Transitional Sovereign Council, to lay the groundwork for a peace agreement between Israel and Sudan. After the massive earthquake in Turkey in February, Cohen met with Turkish president Erdogan in Ankara and announced that Israeli airlines would resume direct flights to Turkey.[21] In February Cohen acknowledged that after months of talks, Oman announced that Israeli airlines would be permitted to pass through its airspace.[22] Cohen also confirmed that Papua New Guinea, which established diplomatic relations with Israel in 1978, would be opening its first embassy in Jerusalem in 2023.[23]

In March 2023 Cohen met the UK foreign secretary in London to sign the 2030 Roadmap for Israel-UK Bilateral Relations which will increase cooperation in technology, research and development, security and cyber.[24] In April 2023 Cohen inaugurated Israel’s first embassy in Turkmenistan. No Israeli foreign minister has visited this Muslim majority country since 1994. The newly built embassy is located in the capital city, Ashgabat, ten miles from Turkmenistan’s border with Iran.[25] Later that month Cohen paid a three-day visit to Baku in Azerbaijan[26] after his counterpart visited Jerusalem in March for the inauguration of the Azerbaijani Embassy in Israel, the first embassy of a Shia Muslim country in Israel.[27] Cohen is the first Israeli minister to visit Ukraine and meet with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy since the outbreak of the war.[28]

In May 2023 he signed a customs agreement with the United Arab Emirates Ambassador to Israel to further the trade agreement signed in 2022.[29] Cohen also flew to India with an 36-person economic delegation whose primary goal was promoting water management and agricultural projects. During his visit to Delhi Cohen held bilateral meetings with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other high-ranking officials.[30] Visiting the Philippines in June 2023, Cohen met with President Marcos to discuss strengthening bilateral ties and exploring new opportunities created by the Abraham Accords and the opening of the Saudi-Oman corridor for flights from Israel, which significantly cuts flight times to and from East Asia.[31]

In August 2023 Cohen revealed that he had attended a secret meeting in Rome with Libyan Foreign Minister Najla El Mangoush, organized by Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani to discuss normalizing relations between the two countries. The news triggered mass protests in Libya, leading to Mangoush's dismissal. Cohen was criticized in Israel for what was seen as a breach of diplomatic practice. An Israeli foreign ministry spokesman said the timing of Cohen's announcement had not been coordinated with Mangoush, catching her off-guard.[32]

On 24 November 2023, during their visit to the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo criticized Israel’s attacks on civilians in the Gaza Strip. Cohen condemned the remarks by the two European leaders as "false statements" made "in support of terrorism" and said he had summoned the ambassadors of Spain and Belgium to explain the comments.[33] Cohen said on social media that "Israel is acting according to international law and fighting a murderous terrorist organisation worse than ISIS."[34]

Minister of Energy and Infrastructure

On 1 January 2024 Cohen assumed the role of the Minister of Energy, following the Knesset's approval of a power-sharing agreement with Israel Katz between the Energy Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.[35]

Personal life

Cohen is married to Anat,[36] with whom he has four children. They are residents of Holon.[37]

Awards and recognition

In 2018 Cohen was on The Marker's list of Israel's "100 Most Influential People."[38]

See also

References

  1. ^ Eli Cohen Knesset
  2. ^ Netanyahu names Eli Cohen as foreign minister; Dermer gets strategic affairs post The Times of Israel
  3. ^ and grievances jaundice Israel's judicial divide Reuters
  4. ^ Meet Israel’s new minister of foreign affairs, Eli Cohen All Israel
  5. ^ Eli Cohen Jewish Virtual Library
  6. ^ Eli Cohen Ministry of Economy and Industry
  7. ^ Kulanu list Central Elections Committee
  8. ^ Final Unofficial* results of the Elections for the Twentieth Knesset Central Elections Committee
  9. ^ a b Eli Cohen Knesset
  10. ^ The Strum Committee bill was passed by the Knesset in its second and third reading, despite warnings by the Bank of Israel
  11. ^ "100 המשפיעים 2018".
  12. ^ Government 34 Knesset
  13. ^ Israel Appoints New Head for Government's Technology Investment Arm
  14. ^ Israel Innovation Authority's 2018-19 Innovation Report presents the trends, changes and innovation characteristics in Israel as well as the challenges faced by the industry and the suggested solutions for coping with them.
  15. ^ Quebec confidential
  16. ^ "ועדת השרים לענייני ביטחון לאומי (הקבינט המדיני-ביטחוני)". GOV.IL (in Hebrew). Archived from the original on 13 November 2024. Retrieved 29 January 2025.
  17. ^ Israeli delegation travels to Sudan to discuss normalisation - Israeli radio Kan
  18. ^ first, Israeli cabinet minister visits Sudan
  19. ^ Azulay, Moran (29 December 2022). "רוטציה גם במשרד החוץ, בין אלי כהן לישראל כץ; גמליאל שרת המודיעין". Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  20. ^ "Israel's Eli Cohen aims to make more diplomatic breakthroughs than ever", Jerusalem Post
  21. ^ "Cohen talks with Erdogan about Iran, Gaza captives in Turkey visit", Jerusalem Post
  22. ^ Oman permits Israeli airlines to fly through its airspace
  23. ^ "Papua New Guinea to open embassy in Jerusalem, Israel's Cohen confirms", Jerusalem Post
  24. ^ Foreign Secretary's meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, March 2023
  25. ^ "Israel's FM Inaugurates New Embassy in Turkmenistan Near Iran Border", Haaretz
  26. ^ Israel Opens First Permanent Embassy in Turkmenistan
  27. ^ Coming to Light: The Warming of Israel-Azerbaijan Relations
  28. ^ Foreign minister lauds expansion of Israeli diplomatic clout into Eurasia region
  29. ^ Israel-UAE free trade deal takes force
  30. ^ Eli Cohen visits India
  31. ^ Israeli FM visits the Philippines for first time in 56 years
  32. ^ "Libya's Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush dismissed: Sources". Aljazeera. 28 August 2023. Retrieved 28 August 2023.
  33. ^ "Israel accuses Spain, Belgium leaders of backing 'terrorism' after Gaza remarks". Politico. 25 November 2023.
  34. ^ "'I stick to that point': De Croo defiant as Israel summons Belgian and Spanish ambassadors". The Brussels Times. 25 November 2023.
  35. ^ "Israel Katz becomes Israel's 22nd Foreign Minister". The Jerusalem Post. 1 January 2024. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  36. ^ President Isaac Herzog hosted a 75th Independence Day reception for the foreign diplomatic corps stationed in Israel
  37. ^ FM Eli Cohen to INN: 'Islamic Jihad is frustrated, and its leadership was annihilated' Israel National News
  38. ^ Tel Aviv University Alumni on The Marker's 2018 List of Most Influential people Tel Aviv University
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