Former Israeli foreign minister, Mizrachi trailblazer David Levy dead at 86

David Levy, a former foreign minister, Israel Prize recipient, and a prominent voice for Mizrachi Jews during the Knesset’s early years, died on Sunday at the age of 86.

Levy, who served as a member of Knesset for 37 years for the Likud, Labor, and Gesher factions, also served as deputy prime minister, housing and construction minister, and aliyah minister in three different governments.

Born in Rabat, Morocco, in 1937, Levy made aliyah to Israel in 1957 and began his public career as a leader of the working-class population of Beit She’an. He leaves behind 12 children, including former MK and minister Orly Levy-Abekasis and Jackie Levy, who served as mayor of Beit She’an.

'Inspiring social leadership': Herzog, Netanyahu eulogize David Levy 

President Isaac Herzog mourned the loss, writing: “David Levy made aliyah from Morocco and paved his way to the most senior positions of power in the state.

“His career served as an impressive expression of inspiring social leadership, reflected in the beauty of being Israeli.”

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also mourned the loss, stating, “We never agreed on everything, but I had always admired his view that [publicly serving] is a calling.”

“I and my wife Sara are sending all of our condolences to the Levy family.”

“I received news on the tragic death of David Levy...I loved him with all my heart,” Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana eulogized later on Sunday. “David was an extraordinary leader, a visionary, and a trailblazer who single-handedly changed the face of the State of Israel and the lives of millions of citizens.

MK Gideon Sa’ar, said of Levy: “[He was] a man of the people who paved his own path to leadership. A man of values loved Israel and loved others.

“I was blessed to know and work with him,” Sa’ar added.