Yacov Ben Yizri was born in Fez, Morocco, in 1927 and immigrated to Israel after the establishment of the state, in 1949. He served in the army at the rank of Sergeant First Class.
Ben Yizri served as a clerk in the Clalit Health Services from 1958-1993, and as Regional Director of the Clalit Health Services from 1974-1993. From 1955-1963 he also served as a member of the Pardes Hannah Local Council.
Ben Yizri was elected to the Knesset in March 2006 on the Gil Pensioners list, serving as Minister of Health from May 2006 until March 2009.
He is married and the father of one.