Orit Farkash-Hakohen (born October 2, 1966, in Jerusalem, Israel) is an Israeli politician, business executive, and former regulator known for her roles in innovation, finance, and government. She currently serves as a member of the Knesset from the Blue and White alliance (later the National Unity party). She served as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology in the Bennett-Lapid coalition government from June 2021 to December 2022, and was not reappointed to the ministerial role in the subsequent Netanyahu government, focusing instead on opposition activities and parliamentary committees related to innovation and economy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Accounting from Tel Aviv University (1990) and a Master of Business Administration from Bar-Ilan University (1995), with Source B also mentioning additional degrees from Hebrew University and Tel Aviv University Law School. Her career began in banking and regulation, serving as Deputy Commissioner of Banks at the Bank of Israel (2003-2009) and Director General of the Ministry of Finance's Capital Market, Insurance and Savings Directorate (2009-2013), with Source B noting her role as Commissioner of Capital Markets, Insurance and Savings from 2011 to 2017. From 2014 to 2019 (Source A) / 2017 to 2021 (Source B), she was CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority, where she promoted technological innovation and startup ecosystems. As Minister, her focus included R&D funding, digital transformation, international tech partnerships, and legislative efforts on digital economy and cybersecurity, emphasizing Israel's resilience in innovation amid geopolitical challenges. Politically centrist, she supports moderate policies on security, economy, and social issues, with an emphasis on economic liberalism, innovation-driven growth, and regulatory efficiency. She is married with three children (Source A), resides in Tel Aviv, and is of Ashkenazi Jewish ethnicity. Fluent in Hebrew and English, she is noted for professional integrity in regulatory roles, with criticisms limited to bureaucratic hurdles in her regulatory past. Her career reflects a commitment to economic liberalization and innovation-driven growth, positioning her as a bridge between business and government in Israel's high-tech sector.