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Yossi Yzraely (born December 10, 1938) is an Israeli theatre director, playwright, poet, writer, and theatre professor emeritus at Tel Aviv University. Born and raised in the Rehavia neighborhood of Jerusalem, Yizraeli studied philosophy at the Hebrew University before pursuing dramaturgy at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London (1960-1962) and the University of Bristol (1962-1965). He earned his doctorate from Carnegie Mellon University on Yevgeny Vakhtangov’s directorial interpretation of “The Dybbuk.” Yizraeli established himself with his 1965 directorial debut, “Oots Li Goots Li,” which garnered the best original play award and was performed 267 times. He served as artistic director of Habima Theatre (1975-1977) and Khan Theatre (1984-1987), where he founded a laboratory for Jewish theatre research. A pioneering director, Yizraeli adapted Agnon’s works, directed classical plays, and created original works exploring personal identity and Jewish themes. He received numerous accolades, including three David of Michelangelo Awards, the Ibsen Medal, and the Landau Prize for Performing Arts. His 2010 copyright dispute with Cameri Theatre regarding “Oots Li Goots Li” established important precedent in Israeli theatre.