Eli Alaluf

Eli Alaluf (; 17 February 1945 – 8 February 2026) was an Israeli politician. Originally a senior bureaucrat for the Israeli government and Israeli NGOs, he later served as a member of the Knesset for Kulanu.

Background Alaluf was born in Fes, Morocco on 17 February 1945. In 1967, he immigrated to Israel. He studied political science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem from 1968 to 1972. From his time at university until 1978, he was the director of the French-speaking youth unit of the World Zionist Organization. At the same time he joined the army and served in the artillery.

From 1978 to 1981, Alaluf served as an assistant in Minister Yigael Yadin's office, working with Project Renewal. He then worked for the Jewish Agency in renewal and development. In 1989, he was elected to the Beersheba city council and served until 1992.

Alaluf was a shaliach for Keren Hayesod in Switzerland between 1992 and 1995. Upon his return to Israel, he was appointed director general of the Rashi Foundation, where he served until 2012. In 2013, he was appointed to head the Alaluf Committee to Fight Poverty. While on the committee Alaluf received a 4.8 million NIS retirement package from the Rashi Foundation.

Alaluf died on 8 February 2026, at the age of 80.

Political career In December 2014, Alaluf joined the new Kulanu party headed by Moshe Kahlon, and was originally placed sixth on the list for the 2015 elections. After Tsega Melaku's disqualification, he moved to the third slot. He lost his seat in the April 2019 elections.

Awards In 2006 Alaluf was honored as one of the torchbearers in the national Israeli Independence Day ceremony.

In 2011, Alaluf was awarded the Israel Prize for lifetime achievement and special contribution to society in recognition of his work with the Rashi Foundation.

Alaluf held honorary doctorates from Ben-Gurion University and the Technion.