Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi

Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi (; ; born 28 September 1972) is an Israeli Arab activist, politician and diplomat. She was a member of the Knesset representing Meretz from 2021 to 2022.

Biography Early life and education Zoabi was born in Nazareth, the eldest daughter of a nephrologist who was amongst the founders of the dialysis department at the EMMS Nazareth Hospital and a homemaker. She attended St Joseph's School and then studied for a bachelor's degree in Hebrew literature and psychology at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She later earned a master's degree in literature at the University of Haifa. She became a member of the board of directors at Ruppin Academic Center and served on the Prime Minister's Round Table for Emergency Preparedness. During the election campaign she was criticised after stating that, out of respect for the Arab sector of Israel, she would abstain from voting on any legislation banning conversion therapy, later saying she would support legislation that supported LGBTQ rights. She was elected to the Knesset as the Meretz party won six seats.

In February 2022 Zoabi was appointed consul-general to Shanghai, becoming the first Israeli-Arab woman to serve as a senior diplomat. The appointment was delayed. On 19 May she resigned from the coalition, lowering its number to a minority of 59,

Zoabi was accused of playing a central part in the fall of the Bennett–Lapid government her party was part of, due to her voting repeatedly against the Meretz party line. Among the coalition bills she voted against were those concerning Haredi conscription and the approval of West Bank regulations. Meretz Secretary General Tomer Reznik wrote to the attorney general calling for a criminal investigation against Zoabi due to "concern that the position given to former MK Zoabi allegedly constitutes bribery as defined by law", while activist Yaya Fink stated he had filed a complaint to the police. However, no action was taken against her. Zoabi subsequently moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.