Ya'akov Edery was born in Morocco in 1950 and immigrated to Israel in 1959.
After performing his military service in the Israel Navy, he earned a BA in political science from the University of Haifa.
Edery has served as mayor of Or Akiva, deputy chairman of the Or Akiva City Council, and community center director.
First elected to the Knesset in January 2003, he has served as a member of the State Control, Immigration, Absorption, & Diaspora Affairs, and Drug Abuse Committees.
Ya'akov Edery served as Deputy Minister of Public Security from March 2003 until January 2006, and as Minister of Health from January-May 2006.
In May 2006 Ya'akov Edery was appointed Minister without Portfolio, responsible for liaison between the government and the Knesset. In July 2006 he was also made responsible for Jerusalem affairs. He served as Minister for the Development of the Negev and the Galilee from July 2007 until March 2009, serving also as Minister of Immigrant Absorption until July 2008.
He is married and the father of two children and lives in Or Akiva.