Itzik Shmuli

Itzik Shmuli, former Labor minister, spent ten years climbing up the Israeli political ladder before ending it at the March 2021 elections, explaining that he made a mistake joining then-prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. 


Shmuli was one of the heads of the National Union of Israeli Students in 2011 when he was drafted to run for Knesset in the 2013 election by the then-Labor head. 


He joined Netanyahu's government with then-Labor header Amir Peretz, opposing Merav Michaeli, who took the helm of the party and passed a proposal removing the party from the government and demanding the removal of Peretz and Shmuli. 


On February 3, 2021, just over a month before the elections that called Naftali Bennett victor, Shmuli announced that he would be taking a break from politics: "Leaders need to know to admit when they made a mistake and to take responsibility."

Elderly aid organization demands gov't plan to return to routine

Klarnstein called for a program to allow hundreds of thousands of seniors to return to "a dignified routine of life."

Two elderly women sit on a bench on Jaffa Street in downtown Jerusalem on October 26, 2020.
Itzik Shmuli

Itzik Shmuli taking break from politics

Labor Party politicians Meirav Michaeli and Itzik Shmuli.

Labor Party to hold leadership primary

Merav-Michaeli

Michaeli, Shmuli likely to face off for Labor leader


IDF's elite Givati Brigade soldiers march alongside disabled comrades

The IDF is renowned for being one of the only armies in the world which incorporates young people with special needs into its ranks.

Dozens of soldiers from the elite Givati Brigade hiked alongside their SIU comrades in an unforgettable masa kumta, December 3, 2020.

Shmuli sees how Lauder Employment Center helps academics amid COVID-19

Due to mass closures, suffering industries and government-mandated lockdowns, finding employment is harder than ever, even for young academics and university graduates.

 Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services Minister Itzik Shmuli is seen at the Lauder Employment Center in Beersheba.

Ruth Gavison, champion of secular-religious reconciliation, dies at 75

Gavison worked tirelessly to bridge the divide between secular and observant Jews and to retain Israel’s character as both a democratic and Jewish state.

Ruth Gavison 521

IFCJ, Social Services Ministry set up emergency COVID-19 fund

Totaling $1.74 million, these funds will help the local welfare departments bring immediate financial aid to families and the elderly who are suffering from coronavirus restrictions.

IFCJ president and CEO Yael Eckstein (L) is seen with Labor and Social Services Minister Itzik Shmuli.

Labor minister: State cannot support 500,000 'new poor' Israelis

"Many citizens, hundreds of thousands, are now reaching the end of their unemployment benefit eligibility and have no assistance," Shmuli told reporters.

National Insurance Institute director-general Meir Spiegler (left) and Labor and Welfare Minister Itzik Shmuli

Facebook official lauds Israeli domestic violence hackathon efforts

The hackathon winner was HearMe, an anonymous reporting platform which allows those in distress to contact local authorities with real-time recording and questioning.

Lily Ben Ami, sister of Michal Sela who was murdered by Eliran Malul, hosts a hackathon to combat domestic violence.

Labor votes by landslide to join government

Lapid: Yesh Atid will never again make a bond it won't lead

Labor Party leader Amir Peretz and Blue and White leader Benny Gantz sign coalition agreement, April 24, 2020

Shmuli slams Shaffir, signaling he won't bolt Labor for new left-wing bloc

Blue and White invites him to join

STAV SHAFFIR: The world sees us as only Netanyahu, and his voice is the only voice they hear

Shmuli: Peretz must make deals with Barak, Meretz

Barak responded to the Labor-Gesher merger on Friday by warning that the move may lead to the left's downfall in the upcoming September 17 election.

ITZIK SHMULI:  I believe I can take a party in a storm to safe waters

Labor candidates spar over who should stay in race

Fellow protest leader Leef refuses to endorse either one

Itzik Shmuli (L) and Stav Shaffir (R)

Political Affairs: Itzik Shmuli is ready to ‘take the reins’

Former student leader tells the ‘Post’ he’s the candidate to beat in the upcoming race for leadership of the struggling Labor Party.

ITZIK SHMULI:  I believe I can take a party in a storm to safe waters