Former Israeli Foreign Minister David Levy, who was born in Morocco, died Sunday at the age of 86. The politician, who held several government posts in Israel, was known for fighting racism against Jews from North Africa. Born in Rabat, he immigrated to Israel when he was 20 years old. He settled in Biet Shean, a town in northern Israel, Associated Press recalls. Before entering politics, he worked in construction and served as a representative of construction workers. He served in the Knesset from 1969 to 2006, serving as foreign minister, deputy prime minister and housing and construction minister. Levy was also a prominent member of the Likud, Israel's current ruling party. During his tenure as foreign minister, Levy participated in the 1991 Madrid Conference, which sought to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace process through negotiations involving Israel and the Palestinians, as well as Arab countries, including Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. As part of his fight against racism against Jews of Arab origin, and while serving as housing minister, Levy launched housing projects to modernize shantytown camps housing Mizrahi Jews. Levy has 12 children, two of them served in parliament.
