Nir Barkat: From Floor Washer to Millionaire Minister

Nir Barkat, the current Minister of Economy and Industry and former Mayor of Jerusalem, celebrated his 67th birthday on October 19th. His career path has spanned military service as an officer, founding technology companies, and transitioning to public and political life.

Born in Tel Aviv in 1959, Barkat moved to Jerusalem as an infant. His father was a professor of astrophysics at the Hebrew University and held positions in the Prime Minister's Office, while his mother was a physical education teacher and folk dance instructor. Barkat's childhood experiences during the Six-Day War, where he helped fill sandbags, influenced his decision to enlist in the Paratroopers Brigade. He served as a company commander and was severely wounded in Lebanon before returning to combat duty.

Before his tech career, Barkat faced financial hardship, working as a dishwasher and selling porcelain dolls as a student. After marrying, he and his wife lived in a small apartment, and he even washed floors in their building in exchange for paying building maintenance fees. His significant business venture began in 1988 with the founding of BRM, alongside his brother Eli and other partners. The company initially developed antivirus software and, in 1993, invested $400,000 in the startup Check Point. This early investment yielded hundreds of millions of dollars for BRM and Barkat upon Check Point's Wall Street IPO, forming the basis of his personal fortune.

At age 42, Barkat transitioned to public service, transferring his business management to his brother Eli under a blind trust. He also founded the "Snunit" non-profit organization to promote education. Since entering public service, Barkat has chosen to work for a symbolic salary of one shekel per year, a decision influenced by his father's wish for his sons to be able to serve the public without financial gain from public funds.

Barkat first ran for Mayor of Jerusalem in 2003 but was not elected, later serving as opposition leader. He was elected mayor in 2008 and served for a decade, overseeing infrastructure development and promoting international cultural and sports events like the Jerusalem Marathon, while also navigating demographic and security challenges. In 2019, he was elected to the Knesset as a member of the Likud party. He has publicly expressed aspirations to lead the Likud party and potentially become Prime Minister after Benjamin Netanyahu's departure. In December 2022, he was appointed Minister of Economy and Industry, focusing on the cost of living, industrial promotion, and foreign investment. Forbes estimates his personal wealth in the hundreds of millions of shekels, consistently ranking him among Israel's wealthiest politicians.

Beyond his public duties, Barkat enjoys off-road driving, having participated in international rallies like the Paris-Dakar, and fishing. His family has further connections to management and sports, with his brother Eli managing family businesses and his sister-in-law, Alona Barkat, owning the Hapoel Be'er Sheva football club. He has an agreement with his wife that she can withdraw him from politics if she feels it is negatively affecting him.