Uzi Cohen Explained

Order:8th mayor of Ra'anana
Term Start:2005
Term End:2005
Predecessor:Ze'ev Bielski
Successor:Nahum Hofree
Birth Place:Tal Shahar, Israel
Birth Date:1 May 1952
Death Place:Ra'anana, Israel
Party:Likud

Uzi Cohen (Hebrew: עוזי כהן, 1 May 1952  - 18 January 2008) was an Israeli Likud activist and politician.

Early life

Born in moshav Tal Shahar, he moved with his family to Ra'anana at the age of two. He joined the Likud at age 16.

Political career

In 1990, Cohen became the deputy mayor of Ra'anana under mayor Ze'ev Bielski. After Bielski was appointed head of the Jewish Agency, Cohen became interim mayor of the city until elections were held. Cohen lost, and once again he served as deputy mayor.

Cohen was a well known public figure in Israel, due to his work with the Likud and his larger than life persona. He would often quoted in the media and boasted of his ability to "arrange jobs" for friends and acquaintances through his position within the Likud party.

He also championed the building of a canal that, according to him, would turn Ra'anana into "the Venice of the Middle East." Cohen is also famous for being spoofed on Eretz Nehederet, a prime-time satirical television show on Channel 2 Television. Controversy and claims of racism ensued after Cohen was depicted on the satirical show "Eretz Nehederet" holding a banana with gorilla mannerisms due to his dark skin coloר.

Death

Cohen died of an apparent heart attack on 18 January 2008, aged 55.

References