Avi Gabbay, a Moroccan-Israeli politician elected head of Israel’s opposition party

Avi Gabbay, an Israeli politician and son of Moroccan jews, was elected on Monday head of the opposition Party succeeding his Israeli-Moroccan counterpart Amir Peretz, the Guardian reports. Competeing for the leadership of the political party, the two Israeli-Moroccan nationals managed to defeat Isaak Herzog, former leader of the party.

The same source indicates that «Gabbay will serve as the party’s head and candidate for prime minister but cannot be leader of the opposition as he is not a member of parliament».

Avi Gabbay, was born in 1967 in Jerusalem. His parents were Jewish immigrants who came originally from Morocco. Gabbay also served as Minister of Environmental Protection and Minister of Finance. In 2016, Gabbay joined the Labor Party and one year later he runs for its top position.

For the record, Amir Peretz and Avi Gabbay won the party’s leadership elections on Tuesday. According to an article published by the Los Angeles Times, «the primary election was won by Amir Peretz, a former Labor chairman and Defense Minister, with 33% of the vote» while his counterpart «Avi Gabbay finished second with 27%».