Rashela Mizrahi (Macedonian: Рашела Мизрахи) is a Macedonian veterinarian and politician, who was the first Jewish minister of North Macedonia. A member of the VMRO-DPMNE party, she was dismissed in February 2020 after appearing with signs of the country's previous name (Macedonia).[1] Mizrahi has reported facing antisemitic abuse and a hostile political environment since before taking office as the Labour and Social Policy Minister.[2]
Rashela Mizrahi | |
|---|---|
Рашела Мизрахи | |
.jpg) Mizrahi in January 2020. | |
| Minister of Labor and Social Policy | |
| In office January 3, 2020 – February 15, 2020 | |
| Prime Minister | Oliver Spasovski |
| Preceded by | Mila Carovska |
| Succeeded by | Jagoda Shahpaska |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 24, 1981 Skopje, SFR Yugoslavia |
| Political party | VMRO-DPMNE |
Early life
editRasela Mizrahi was born on November 24, 1981, in Skopje, SFR Yugoslavia to Viktor and Liljana Mizrahi.[3] She has a brother, Rahamim.[3] Many of her family members were murdered in the Holocaust.[4]
Mizrahi worked at SS. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje from 2007 to 2009.[5]
Dismissal
editMizrahi caused controversy when she stood in front of a plaque with the country's former name, the Republic of Macedonia, instead of the Republic of North Macedonia.[6] Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nikola Dimitrov, received a verbal note of protest from the Greek government.[6] On February 15, 2020, the Assembly of North Macedonia voted to dismiss Mizrahi, with 62 votes for dismissal and 26 votes against.[7]
Re-election
editIn the parliamentary elections of June 2020, Mizrahi was again elected to the Assembly of North Macedonia.[8] Among her responsibilities is the presidency of the North Macedonia - Israel Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group.[9]
References
edit- ^ Testorides, Konstantin (16 February 2020). "North Macedonia's 1st Jewish minister ousted for standing by country's old name". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on 16 February 2020. Retrieved 16 February 2020.
- ^ Liphshiz, Cnaan (January 6, 2020). "North Macedonia names 1st Jewish cabinet minister - Europe". Arutz Sheva. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- ^ a b Liphshiz, Cnaan (June 8, 2021). "North Macedonia's first Jewish lawmaker breaks taboos, is hit with antisemitism". The Times of Israel. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ Oster, Marcy (February 21, 2020). "Jewish lawmaker from Macedonia removed amid hostile anti-Semitic environment - Europe". Arutz Sheva. Archived from the original on April 13, 2020. Retrieved April 13, 2020.
- ^ "Rachel Mizrahi". Government of North Macedonia (in Macedonian). Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ a b Marusic, Sinisa Jakov (February 10, 2020). "North Macedonia Minister Defends Right to Challenge "Name" Agreement". Balkan Insight. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ "Собранието ја разреши Рашела Мизрахи" [The assembly dismissed Rachel Mizrahi]. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (in Macedonian). February 15, 2020. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ РАШЕЛА МИЗРАХИ
- ^ International Affairs Division. The Knesset
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