Yosef Paritzky

Yosef Paritzky
Date of birth	14 September 1955
Place of birth	Jerusalem, Israel
Knessets	15, 16
Faction represented in Knesset
1999–2005	Shinui
2005–2006	Tzalash
Ministerial roles
2003–2004	Minister of National Infrastructure

Yosef Yitzhak Paritzky (Hebrew: יוסף יצחק פריצקי‎‎, born 14 September 1955) is an Israeli attorney, politician and columnist.

Born and raised in the Beit HaKerem neighbourhood of Jerusalem, Paritzky studied law at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he gained an LL.B., and went on to work as an attorney. He is an attorney both in Israel and in New York.

Paritzky was known as a secular liberal who advocated for the separation of state and religion in Israel. He formed the association Am Hofshi (Free People) and was its chairman. Due to his activities he was offered a seat on the Shinui list prior to 1999 elections.

After winning a Knesset seat in the elections, Paritzky served as a member of the finance committee. He was re-elected in 2003 and was appointed Minister of National Infrastructure and Energy in Ariel Sharon's government. Paritzky established the natural gas system in Israel and also led dramatic changes in the electricity and water fields. He was the first to suggest an "Infrastructure Undersea Tunnel" between Turkey and Israel and gave licenses to the first private power stations in Israel.

However, Paritzky had to leave his position in the Government in July 2004, due to the demand of Tommy Lapid, head of Shinui, with whom Paritzky had a long and bitter dispute. Tapes of Paritzky were published in which he was heard apparently attempting to catch Avraham Poraz, the party's deputy leader, in wrongdoings. Paritzky's actions were investigated by the police, but charges were not brought since the police and the Attorney General found no evidence of any criminal acts.

...
Wikipedia