# Itzik Shmuli
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{{short description|Israeli politician}}
{{use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = File:איציק_שמולי.png
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|2|8|df=y}}
| birth_place = [Tel Aviv](/source/Tel_Aviv), [Israel](/source/Israel)
| death_date =
| office1 = Ministerial roles
| suboffice1 = [Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services](/source/Ministry_of_Labor%2C_Social_Affairs_and_Social_Services)
| subterm1 = 2020–2021
| office2 = Faction represented in the [Knesset](/source/Knesset)
| suboffice2 = [Labor Party](/source/Israeli_Labor_Party)
| subterm2 = 2013–2015
| suboffice3 = [Zionist Union](/source/Zionist_Union)
| subterm3 = 2015–2019
| suboffice4 = [Labor Party](/source/Israeli_Labor_Party)
| subterm4 = 2019–2021
| caption = Shmuli in 2021
| native_name = אִיצִיק שְמוּלִי
| native_name_lang = he
}}
'''Yitzhak (Itzik) Shmuli''' ({{Langx|he|אִיצִיק שְמוּלִי}}; born 8 February 1980) is an Israeli politician who served as the Minister of Labor, Welfare and Social Services and as a Member of the Knesset on behalf of the [Israeli Labor Party](/source/Israeli_Labor_Party); formerly chairman of [National Union of Israeli Students](/source/National_Union_of_Israeli_Students), and one of the leaders of the [2011 Israeli social justice protests](/source/2011_Israeli_social_justice_protests).[{{Cite news|title=After year of deadlock and days of delays, Knesset swears in new Israeli government|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/2020-05-17/ty-article/.premium/israels-biggest-government-set-to-be-sworn-in-this-is-what-it-would-look-like/0000017f-e8f9-df2c-a1ff-fef915890000|access-date=2021-05-03|newspaper=Haaretz|language=en}}][{{cite news |title=Meet the new MKs |url=http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=7159 |work=[Israel Hayom](/source/Israel_Hayom) |date=24 January 2013 |access-date=25 January 2013}}] Shmuli currently serves as [UJA-Federation of New York](/source/UJA-Federation_of_New_York)'s Director-General in its Israel office.[{{Cite web|title=איציק שמולי|url=https://main.knesset.gov.il/mk/Pages/MKPersonalDetails.aspx?MKID=901|access-date=2021-05-12|website=main.knesset.gov.il}}] to Nechama and Chaim Shmuli.[{{Cite web|title=הישיבה העשרים-ושמונה|url=https://main.knesset.gov.il/Activity/plenum/Pages/SessionItem.aspx?itemID=2088345|access-date=2021-05-12|website=main.knesset.gov.il}}] His family originated from [Iraq](/source/Iraq), he is maternal of [Kurdish](/source/Kurds)[{{Cite web |title=How Kurdish Jews made their way to Jerusalem, shocked Herzl, began to thrive {{!}} The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/how-kurdish-jews-made-their-way-to-jerusalem-shocked-herzl-began-to-thrive/amp/ |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=www.timesofisrael.com}}] descent. At the age of 3, his family moved to [Ramat Gan](/source/Ramat_Gan), and He attended Yitzhak Rabin [Tichon Hadash](/source/Tichon_Hadash) High School in Ramat Gan[{{Cite news|title=הכירו את המועמדים הלהט"בים שצפויים להיכנס לכנסת הבאה - זכוכית מגדרת|url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/blogs/edenleekatri/BLOG-1.7027364|access-date=2021-05-12|newspaper=הארץ|language=he}}] In 1998, Shmuli enlisted in the [Israel Defense Force](/source/Israel_Defense_Force) Armored Corps and served as a tank commander of the [7th Armored Brigade's](/source/7th_Armored_Brigade_(Israel)) 82nd Battalion in [Israel](/source/Israel) and [Lebanon](/source/Lebanon).[{{Cite web|date=2012-11-07|title=N12 - איציק שמולי: "בעיר לוד מצאתי משמעות לחיים"|url=https://www.mako.co.il/news-elections-2013/articles/Article-3c7c0f8d7eada31006.htm|access-date=2021-05-10|website=N12}}]
After returning to Israel in 2004, Shmuli attended [Oranim Academic College](/source/Oranim_Academic_College), and graduated with a [B.Ed.](/source/B.Ed.) with Honors in [Special Education](/source/Special_Education) and Social-Community Action. During his first year at Oranim, he was elected head of the Student Union. In that position, he led a campaign against the [Shochat Committee](/source/Avraham_Shochat), which sought to privatize higher education and raise tuition fees.[{{Cite news|last=טראובמן|first=תמרה|date=2007-04-16|title=משרד החינוך ביקש צווי מניעה נגד חידוש שביתת המורים מחר|language=he|work=הארץ|url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.1402249|access-date=2021-05-10}}] In the beginning of 2009, Shmuli was elected deputy chairman of the National Union of Israeli Students, unifying the Israeli Students Organization with the Union of Israeli Students the two largest student unions in Israel. He led the student negotiating team in discussions on comprehensive reform in the higher education system. Key reforms included increasing contract workers into higher education institutions and advocating for community service requirements for undergraduate courses.[{{Cite web|last=פונדק|first=חן|date=2012-06-24|title=התפטר סגן יו"ר התאחדות הסטודנטים: "איבדתי אמון בשמולי"|url=https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3575111,00.html|access-date=2021-05-03|website=כלכליסט - www.calcalist.co.il}}]
in 2010 he went on to study a [Master of Public Policy](/source/Master_of_Public_Policy) from [The Hebrew University of Jerusalem](/source/The_Hebrew_University_of_Jerusalem) and a [Master of Laws](/source/Master_of_Laws) at [Bar-Ilan University](/source/Bar-Ilan_University). In October 2010, he was elected as chairman of [National Union of Israeli Students](/source/National_Union_of_Israeli_Students), the first representative elected from one of Israel's colleges. As chairman, he served on the [Council for Higher Education](/source/Council_for_Higher_Education_in_Israel) and directed other National Union of Israeli Students ventures including [Issta Lines touring company](/source/Issta). He served on the board of directors of the Civic Trust organization.[{{Cite web|last=גיל|first=יסמין|date=2011-10-30|title=איציק שמולי: הפנים החדשות של הסטודנט הישראלי|url=https://www.calcalist.co.il/local/articles/0,7340,L-3548211,00.html|access-date=2021-05-03|website=כלכליסט - www.calcalist.co.il}}]
Shmuli was one of the leaders of the [2011 Israeli social justice protests](/source/2011_Israeli_social_justice_protests) in advocating for housing and cost of living expenses affecting the middle and lower class of Israelis. He successfully rallied student associations to actively support the protest, expanding demonstration participation across [Israel](/source/Israel), He conducted speeches at most rallies across the country. In August 2011, he was among a group of protest leaders who met with President [Shimon Peres](/source/Shimon_Peres).[Greer Fay Cahsman, [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/grapevine-august-1-2021-a-late-but-welcome-apology-675471 A late but welcome apology], The Jerusalem Post, 31 July 2021] In November 2011, Shmuli relocated to the city of [Lod](/source/Lod) and initiated a social action campaign to strengthen the city stating.[ynet, [https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4627241,00.html עונה לשרה: איציק שמולי מציג את ביתו בלוד], Ynet, 16 Febuaty 2015] In July 2012, Shmuli resigned from his position as chairman of the National Union of Israeli Students.[Danielle Ziri, [https://www.jpost.com/diplomacy-and-politics/student-union-chair-shmuli-to-seek-labor-seat Student Union chair Shmuli to seek Labor seat], The Jerusalem Post, 3 September 2012]
== Political career ==
260px|thumb|right|Itzik Shmuli, 2015
Shmuli was a member of the [Israeli Labor Party](/source/Israeli_Labor_Party), serving in the Knesset from 2012 to 2021. Shmuli represented the [Zionist Union](/source/Zionist_Union) Political Alliance. In October 2012, Shmuli announced his intention to run in the [Israeli Labor Party](/source/Israeli_Labor_Party) primaries for the 19th [Knesset](/source/Knesset).[{{Cite web|url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART2/409/335.html|title=שמולי: ''בבחירות האלו אפשר לחולל שינוי''|website=NRG מעריב|access-date=2017-12-12}}] Shmuli was placed in the party's 11th slot for the Knesset list. In the 19th Knesset, Shmuli served as a member of the Economic Affairs Committee and participated in bills to improve equality for veterans, promote financial education and subsidised housing.[{{Cite web|title=תפקידים בכנסת|url=https://m.knesset.gov.il/mk/Pages/MKPositions.aspx?MKID=901|access-date=2021-05-03|website=m.knesset.gov.il|language=he}}]
Shmuli headed several lobbies in the Knesset, including the Retirees Lobby, the Lobby for Lone Soldiers, the Affordable Housing Lobby, the Animal Lobby and the Lobby for Pluralistic Judaism against Religious Fanaticism.
In July 2015, following a stabbing incident at [Jerusalem's gay pride parade](/source/Jerusalem_gay_pride_parade), Shmuli wrote in an article to [Yedioth Ahronoth](/source/Yedioth_Ahronoth) that ''"when the knife is raised around the neck of an entire LGBT community, my community, it will not stop there"'';[{{Cite news|url=http://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4614866,00.html|title=העבודה בחרה: יחימוביץ', שפיר ושמולי במקומות הראשונים|last=אזולאי|first=מורן|date=2015|work=Ynet|access-date=2017-12-12|language=he}}] in this article, he became the first Knesset Member who [came out of the closet](/source/Coming_out) during his term. In elections for the 20th Knesset, Shmuli was placed fifth on the list of the [Zionist Union](/source/Zionist_Union), after reaching third place in the Labor primaries, and was thus elected to the 20th Knesset.[[Lee Yaron](/source/Lee_Yaron) [https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/education/.premium-1.9363254 תוכנית סיוע לקשישים שהוחלט לבטלה תורחב לרבע מיליון סיעודיים], Haaretz, 10 December 2020]
In August 2020, Shmuli initiated the Magen Zahav program, addressing welfare concerns for elderly people during COVID-19, applying a budget of NIS $150M in welfare payments. This program engaged the Israel Defence Force and initiated the ‘Friends in Uniform’ Initiative, connecting soldiers with elderly citizens in the community.[Lilach Shovel, [https://www.israelhayom.co.il/article/819713 גאוות יחידה: הקצינים יאמצו את שורדי השואה], Israel Hayom, 13 November 2020]
As Minister of Labour, Shmuli established inter-ministerial teams to support the [LGBTQ](/source/LGBTQ) community, resulting in legislation changes around adoption and assisted sperm donation, and providing legal assistance and expenses of overseas surrogacy proceedings. He also initiated programs to improve health and social access to the LGBTQ community, opening 6 outreach centres.[ynet, [https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/B1IPn1XDP לראשונה: צוות ממשלתי יסייע לטרנסג'נדרים] Ynet, 13 October 2020] In February 2021 After the election of [Merav Michaeli](/source/Merav_Michaeli) as chair of the Labour Party, Shmuli announced that he was resigning from the Knesset and ministerial roles to take a break from politics, stating that it had been a mistake to join the Netanyahu government.[[https://www.timesofisrael.com/welfare-minister-shmuli-resigns-citing-mistake-of-joining-netanyahu-coalition/ Welfare minister Shmuli resigns, citing ‘mistake’ of joining Netanyahu coalition] The Times of Israel, 3 February 2021] In August 2021, he was appointed director-general of UJA-Federation of New York's Israel. In that capacity, he serves as the organization's senior representative in Israel.[{{Cite web |date=2021-08-02 |title=UJA-Federation of New York appoints Itzik Shmuli to direct its Israel office |url=https://www.jns.org/uja-federation-of-new-york-appoints-itzik-shmuli-to-direct-its-israel-office/ |access-date=2022-08-25 |website=JNS.org |language=en-US}}]
==Social activism==
Shmuli supports a range of social causes, representing groups and causes including [foreign workers](/source/foreign_workers) and their children, [military veterans](/source/military_veterans), [contract workers](/source/Temporary_work) and [employee rights](/source/employee_rights), [LGBTQ](/source/LGBTQ) equality, [student rights](/source/student_rights) and quality of education.
==Awards and recognition==
In 2016 Shmuli was awarded "Itur ha’Or" award for work on behalf of Holocaust Survivors and the Ometz Medal for outstanding social achievements.[[https://m.knesset.gov.il/News/PressReleases/Pages/press201216m.aspx פרס "עיטור האור" לניצולי השואה ולעושים לרווחתם הוענק היום בכנסת], Knesset Website, December 2016] in 2018 he was awarded "The Outstanding Parliamentarian Award" from the [Israel Democracy Institute](/source/Israel_Democracy_Institute).[{{Cite web|title=אות הפרלמנטר המצטיין לשנת 2018|url=https://www.idi.org.il/events/24073|access-date=2021-05-03|website=www.idi.org.il|date=10 July 2018 |language=he}}]
==Personal life==
Shmuli lives in Moshav [Ksalon](/source/Ksalon) in the Judean Mountains. In 2019, Shmuli and his partner Eran Levy welcomed their first son, and in 2021 welcomed their second son; both born via surrogacy in the [United States](/source/United_States).[Gil Hoffman, [https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/labor-winner-to-celebrate-with-labor-of-son-580558 Labor winner Itzik Shmuli to celebrate with labor of son in the US, The Jerusalem Post, 3 January 2019]]
==References==
{{reflist}}
==External links==
*{{MKlink|id=901}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Shmuli, Itzik}}
Category:1980 births
Category:Living people
Category:Israeli Labor Party politicians
Category:Israeli people of Iraqi-Jewish descent
Category:Jewish Israeli politicians
Category:Gay Jews
Category:Israeli gay politicians
Category:LGBTQ members of the Knesset
Category:Members of the 19th Knesset (2013–2015)
Category:Members of the 20th Knesset (2015–2019)
Category:Members of the 21st Knesset (2019)
Category:Members of the 22nd Knesset (2019–2020)
Category:Members of the 23rd Knesset (2020–2021)
Category:Politicians from Tel Aviv
Category:Zionist Union politicians
Category:Tichon Hadash High School (Tel Aviv) alumni
Category:People from Lod
Category:Oranim Academic College alumni
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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Itzik Shmuli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itzik_Shmuli) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itzik_Shmuli?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.