Galia Albin: A Look at the Woman Behind the 'Bibist' Controversy

By נעמי רחליס

Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba

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Hebrew · 2 newsrooms covering

Galia Albin, a 77-year-old businesswoman, recently caused a media stir with a controversial statement about supporters of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Her life includes a dramatic business career, publishing "Penthouse" in Israel, acting, writing novels, and political aspirations. Albin was married three times and widowed when her husband died in police custody. She is also the aunt of WeWork founder Adam Neumann.

The story in 6 lines · by baba

Galia Albin, 77, sparked controversy with a comment about Prime Minister Netanyahu's supporters.
Albin is a businesswoman who published the Hebrew edition of "Penthouse" magazine.
Her first husband, Miki Albin, died in police custody in 1985.
She has pursued careers in acting, writing, and television.
Albin is the aunt of WeWork founder Adam Neumann.
She has made attempts to enter politics, running in party primaries.

Galia Albin, a 77-year-old businesswoman, has recently sparked a media storm with a comment about "Bibists" (supporters of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu), stating they are "only Mizrahim (Jews of Middle Eastern descent), there is no connection between the hand that put the ballot and the brain." This remark drew a response from the Prime Minister and dominated news headlines, bringing Albin, whose name is unfamiliar to many in the political sphere, into the spotlight.

Albin's life story is as dramatic as her recent interview, which included her mimicking "Bibi" chants with applause. She has been married three times and widowed once. Her late husband, Miki Albin, died tragically in 1985 after a night in police detention in Jaffa, where he was being investigated for stock manipulation. Albin inherited most of his assets and engaged in legal battles with his family and partners, ultimately solidifying her business standing. In the 1980s, she was a prominent figure in Israel's financial world and published the Hebrew edition of "Penthouse" magazine, a venture that caused public outrage and protests from religious groups before the magazine merged and closed.

Beyond business, Albin pursued a diverse career in culture and media. She studied acting in New York, authored two novels about her life and grief, and produced and starred in the film "Starting Over." She also acted in Menachem Golan's film "Dangerous Dance," hosted a talk show on the Educational Television channel, and was involved in social initiatives promoting women's and children's rights. She also holds four academic degrees, including a master's in psychology from the U.S. and law studies at Tel Aviv University. Notably, she is the aunt of Adam Neumann, the founder of WeWork.

Albin has also ventured into politics. In the 1999 elections, she was placed fourth on businesswoman Pnina Rosenblum's list, which failed to pass the electoral threshold. Albin later stated this was a show of support rather than a genuine intention to serve in the Knesset. In 2008, she ran in the Kadima party's primaries but was placed too low on the list to be elected.

Albin's public career began in the late 1970s managing youth and sports departments in local authorities before joining the Liberal Party, where she met her late husband.