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
Rasela 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
Mizrahi 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
In 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]