Silvan Shalom is a Deputy Prime Minister in Israel. From 1997-1998 Shalom served as Deputy Minister of Defense and as Minister of Science from 1998 until July 1999. From 2001-2003 he served as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and from February 2003 until January 2006 as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs. He has also served as Minister for Regional Development and the Development of the Negev and the Galilee.