Shalom, Silvan

(1958- )

   Shalom was born in Tunisia, and his family immigrated (see ALIYA) to Israel the following year. At 18, he was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces and reached the rank of sergeant. He obtained degrees in economics and accounting from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev as well as a law degree and an M.A. in public policy from Tel Aviv University. He became a journalist by profession. Among his many public activities, Shalom served as a member of the executive of the Broadcasting Authority and of the board of the Israel Airport Authority, as well as an advisor to the ministers of finance, economy and planning, and justice. He became director general of the Ministry of Energy in 1990, chairman of the board of the Israel Electric Company between 1990 and 1992, and deputy chairman of the Public Council of Youth Exchange between 1992 and 1993.

   Shalom entered politics relatively late, joining the Knesset as a member of Likud in 1992. His more notable government roles include a stint as deputy minister of defense from 1997 to 1998 and minister of science and technology from 1998 to 1999. A staunch ally of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, he was appointed minister of finance and deputy prime minister in 2001. As minister of finance, he was largely blamed for a series of failed state budget plans and the inability to rescue Israel from an economic recession brought on by a global market slowdown and the Al-Aksa intifada. In 2003, he was appointed minister of foreign affairs by Sharon, replacing Benjamin Netanyahu. As foreign minister, Shalom was instrumental in facilitating passage of Sharon's controversial Gaza unilateral disengagement plan through both the Knesset and the cabinet. He was also one of the primary beneficiaries of the significant improvement in Israel's image internationally ensuing from the disengagement.

   Seeking perhaps to capitalize on the increased public exposure accorded to him as foreign minister, Shalom participated in the contest to replace Sharon as leader of the Likud Party, however, Shalom lost the 19 December 2005 leadership primary, taking 33 percent of the vote among Likud Party members compared to the 44 percent taken by Netanyahu. He was reelected to the 17th Knesset on the Likud list in March 2006. Shalom initially contested the Likud Party leadership primary ultimately won by Netanyahu in August 2007.