Born in Baghdad in 1951 and came to Israel as a young child. He studied Hebrew literature and philosophy at Tel Aviv University and drawing at the Avni Academy of Art. He has worked with street gangs, and currently teaches literature and leads creative writing workshops.
He has published 11 volumes of poetry (The last called "horse power") and two book for children with his daughter Shirly (The last called "monkey tough, monkey bluff").
He has been translated into 41 languages.
Selections of his poems have appeared in Arabic translation, French, Catalan, Albanian, Italian, Macedonian, Yiddish, Croatian, Nepali, Dutch, Danish, Portuguese, Spanish, Germen, Turkish, Russian and English.
He is recipient of the Prime Minister's Award, Yehuda Amichai Award for Hebrew poetry, Ramat Gan prize for poetry, The "Wine poem award" in Struga Poetry Evenings, Macedonia, 2005 and Hans Berghhuis prize for poetry 2006 in the Maastricht International Poetry Nights, Holland.
In 2012, he has been awarded the Cross of The Order of The Knights for a Distinguished Service OF Poland
In 2014, he has been awarded the knight of the Order of Arts and Letters of France
He recorded with the musician Elliott Sharp 3 CD's: "revenge of the stuttering child", "Poverty Line" and "Short History of Vodka."
In 1998 he made an exhibition "nature’s Factory, winter 2046" with Beny Efrat in "Israel museum".
In 2004 made "Hawadja Bialik", in 2007 made "Rehal Madrid" in 2010 made "napkin", in 2012 made "Swan Lake" and in 2014 made "hall of fame" - 5 exhibitions in "The Museum of Israeli Art, Ramat Gan".
He is a member in the Public Council of "Batsheva Dance Company" and at the Hebrew-Arabic Theatre.
Prizes
1987 Acum Special Jubilee Prize, Society of authors, composers and music publishers in Israel
1999 Afrat Prize
1999 Ahi Prize, The Association for the Promotion of Research, Literature and Art, founded in Israel by Jews from Iraq
2005 Yehuda Amichai Prize for Hebrew Poetry
2005 Wine Poem Award, Struga Poetry Evenings (Macedonia)
2006 Hans Berghuis Prize for Poetry, The Maastricht International Poetry Nights (Maastricht, Holland)
2010 Ramat Gan prize for poetry
2012 The Cross of The Order of The Knights for a Distinguished Service
2014 The Insigne de Chevalier des Arts et Lettres
2016 The Prize for the exemplary man from the "Lions International"
2017 Award for recognition of authors and writers on behalf of the Arab College of Education in Israel
2017 Arik Einstein Prize in Literature