Yaakov Edri, an Israeli politician and former member of the Knesset, died on March 18, 2026, at the age of 75.
He served as mayor of Or Akiva from 1989 to 2003 and was elected to the Knesset in 2003 on the Likud list, later serving with Kadima until 2013. During his parliamentary career, he held the posts of Minister of Health in 2006 and Minister for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee from 2007 to 2009.
He also served as Minister of Immigrant Absorption and as a minister without portfolio.
Ya’akov Edri (Hebrew: יעקב אדרי; also spelt Edery or Edrey, 25 November 1950 – 18 March 2026) was an Israeli politician, who was the mayor of Or Akiva from 1989 to 2003. He served as a member of the Knesset for Likud and Kadima between 2003 and 2013, as well as holding the posts of Minister of Immigrant Absorption, Minister of Negev and Galilee Development, Minister of Health, and a Minister without Portfolio.