Dr. Yossi Beilin is the head of the steering committee of the Geneva Initiative. In his private life, he is the president of a business consultancy in Tel Aviv, "Beilink."
In the context of the Israeli-Palestinian relations, Beilin initiated the Oslo Process in 1992, the "Beilin-Abu Mazen agreement" (1993-1995), and the Geneva Initiative (2001-2003). In the context of the Jewish world, Beilin initiated the Taglit-Birthright project.
Beilin is a former Israeli Justice Minister, and served as deputy minister and as a minister in four Israeli governments between 1988-2001. He was elected to the Knesset in 1988, and resigned 20 years later. For many years he represented the Labor Party. In 2003 he moved to the Meretz Party, and was its leader between 2004-2008.
Before entering politics, Beilin taught political science in Tel Aviv, and was a journalist.
Beilin was born in 1948. He is married to Daniela, and has two sons and five grandchildren.