1. Orna Barbivai is the former Minister of Economy, a retired major general in the Israel Defense Forces, and the former head of its Manpower Directorate.
13 Facts About Orna Barbivai
1. 2.
Orna Barbivai was the first woman to be made Major-general, the IDF's second highest rank.
3.
Orna Barbivai was drafted into the IDF in 1981, and has spent her entire career as an officer in the Manpower Directorate.
4.
Orna Barbivai holds a bachelor's degree in Social Sciences and Humanities from Ben Gurion University, and a Master of Business Administration Degree from Haifa University.
5.
Orna Barbivai is the graduate of the "Turn-point" administration course for senior military officials.
6.
Orna Barbivai is married to Moshe Barbivai, and they have three children.
7.
Orna Barbivai was the first female to hold the IDF positions of Chief Adjutant Officer of a Command, Chief Adjutant Officer, Head of the Ground Forces' manpower section, and head of the Individuals' Sector in the Manpower Directorate.
8.
In October 2014, after 33 years of active military service, Orna Barbivai retired from the IDF.
9.
In January 2019, Orna Barbivai announced her intention to enter politics, and she later joined Yesh Atid, where she announced that she will run for a Knesset seat in the upcoming April 2019 Knesset election.
10.
Orna Barbivai was number four on the party's list of candidates.
11.
Orna Barbivai remained on the tenth spot on the alliance's list in both the September election and the 2020 election, and retained her seat in both instances.
12.
Orna Barbivai served until the inauguratiuon of the Thirty-seventh government of Israel on 29 December 2022.
13.
On 1 August 2023, Orna Barbivai resigned from the Knesset to run for Mayor of Tel Aviv.