Stav Shaffir (Hebrew: סטב שפיר; born 17 May 1985) is an Israeli politician and a prominent leader in the Israeli social justice movement. She has made significant contributions to promoting housing, public services, income equality, and democracy in Israel. Shaffir has played a crucial role in bringing attention to these issues and advocating for change.
Shaffir was born in Netanya, Israel, to a family of both Ashkenazi Jewish (Polish-Jewish, Lithuanian-Jewish, and Romanian-Jewish) and Mizrahi Jewish (Iraqi-Jewish) descent. At the age of 12, her family relocated to Pardesiya, a small town in the Sharon area, where her parents established an accounting firm. During her youth, Shaffir joined HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed (Federation of Working and Studying Youth), where she became involved in social and political activism.
After completing high school, Shaffir participated in a volunteer program in Tiberias affiliated with the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. Following her dedication to public service, she served in the Israel Defense Forces as a cadet in the flight academy of the Israeli Air Force. While serving, Shaffir embarked on a career as a journalist, writing for the IDF magazine, Bamahane. Her work covered significant events such as the Israeli disengagement from Gaza and the 2006 Lebanon war.
Shaffir’s commitment to understanding different perspectives and fostering change led her to pursue higher education. Through the Olive Tree Scholarship Program at the City University of London, she became actively involved in efforts to challenge the status quo of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. During her studies in London, Shaffir interned at the British Parliament as part of the Undergraduate ParliaMentors program, gaining valuable insight into the political landscape. Her dedication to journalism was also recognized when she was awarded runner-up in the JRS Competition for Student Journalists in 2008 for her piece on Iraqi refugees in England.
In 2009, Shaffir obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Journalism. She further pursued her passion for music by studying at the Rimon School of Jazz and Contemporary Music in Ramat HaSharon, where she became proficient in playing various instruments, including the piano, drums, guitar, violin, and oud. She later enrolled in the Master’s program at the Cohn Institute for the History and Philosophy of Science and Ideas at Tel Aviv University.
Shaffir’s political career began to flourish when she emerged as one of the leaders of the 2011 Israeli social justice protests. The movement focused on addressing housing issues, public service shortcomings, income inequality, and democratic deficits in Israeli society. As a spokesperson for the movement, Shaffir articulated the concerns and demands of the protesters, gaining national prominence. Her leadership and eloquence led to her election to the Knesset as a member of the Labor Party in 2013.
In the subsequent elections, Shaffir retained her seat as part of the Zionist Union alliance. Her dedication to social justice and progressive policies resonated with many voters. She continued to be re-elected, even after Labor ran alone in the April 2019 elections, emphasizing her ability to connect with the Israeli public.
However, Shaffir faced a setback when she lost a Labor leadership election to Amir Peretz in June 2019. Following her defeat, she made the bold decision to leave the party and resigned from the Knesset. Shaffir took the helm of the Green Movement, a newly formed party that prioritizes environmental issues, social justice, and peace. Under her leadership, the Green Movement joined forces with Meretz and the Israel Democratic Party to form the Democratic Union.
While Shaffir has achieved significant milestones in her political career, her impact extends beyond the realm of Israeli politics. She has served as a role model for women, demonstrating their ability to influence and shape society. Shaffir’s dedication to social justice, equal rights, and environmental concerns has made her an inspiration for future generations.