12 Facts About Yitzhak Aharonovich

Yitzhak Aharonovich is an Israeli businessman and former politician.

Yitzhak Aharonovich served as a member of the Knesset for Yisrael Beiteinu between 2006 and 2015 and held the posts of Minister of Tourism and Minister of Public Security.

Yitzhak Aharonovich was born in West Jerusalem to Holocaust survivors from Kaunas.

Yitzhak Aharonovich grew up in moshav Dishon and studied at a yeshiva in Safed.

Yitzhak Aharonovich later studied history at the University of Haifa and graduated with a BA.

Yitzhak Aharonovich continued to rise through the ranks, and in 1993 he was promoted to major general and appointed commander of the Border Police.

Yitzhak Aharonovich later served as a representative of the Israel Police in the Americas for two years.

Yitzhak Aharonovich retained his seat in the 2009 elections, for which he was placed fourth on the party's list.

On 16 June 2009, Aharonovich attracted controversy over a comment he made during a meeting with an undercover police detective in Tel Aviv's Central Bus Station.

Yitzhak Aharonovich was denounced by several members of the Knesset as a racist following that, and subsequently apologized.

Yitzhak Aharonovich was praised for his actions during the 2010 Mount Carmel forest fire.

Yitzhak Aharonovich was re-elected in the 2013 elections, and retained his post as Minister of Public Security.