Ayoob Kara (Arabic: أيوب قرا; Hebrew: איוב קרא; born 12 March 1955) is an Israeli Druze politician. He has served as a member of the Knesset for Likud in four terms between 1999 and 2021, and as Minister of Communications.

Kara was born in Daliyat al-Karmel, a Druze town near Haifa. He went to an agricultural high school in Kfar Galim. He spent a year playing professional association football as a defensive back for Bnei Yehuda Tel Aviv F.C. He later served in the Israel Defense Forces reserve and attained the rank of major, before being discharged for post-traumatic stress disorder. Serving alongside Jews before and after the establishment of Israel has been a source of family pride: his uncle was killed during the Arab revolt in 1939, and his father served in the IDF during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Another uncle was also killed by Arabs then, and two of his brothers were killed in action in the 1982 Lebanon War. Following his national service, Kara studied law at Ono Academic College and received a master's at Tel Aviv University. He lives in Daliyat al-Karmel with his wife and five children.^{[citation needed]}

Kara was placed 35th on the Likud–Gesher–Tzomet list that won 32 seats in the 1996 elections. He urged Likud party chairman Ariel Sharon to campaign for the Arab vote. Sharon agreed on the importance, and need for an Arab minister in government. Kara was elected in 1999, becoming the third Druze Likud MK in history, after Amal Nasser el-Din and Assad Assad. He was appointed Deputy Speaker of the Knesset, and served as chairman of the Committee on Foreign Workers. He retained his seat in the 2003 elections and became chairman of the Anti-Drug Committee. Speaking out during the Second Intifada, he condemned Arab MKs for incitement.

Kara opposed the Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip championed by prime minister Ariel Sharon, and was almost ejected from Knesset with Michael Ratzon for "repeated disturbances". When Sharon announced plans to break from Likud, Kara refused to defect to Kadima in 2005 and criticized other MKs that did, including Shaul Mofaz. He praised Likud's "glorious past" and said it will return stronger, despite the split. He lost his seat in the 2006 elections, when Likud dropped to 12 seats. Nevertheless, he remained active in politics. He met with Hebron residents and criticized the demolition of a Jewish home there, calling Kadima leader Tzipi Livni as "good for Hamas".

Announcing his intention to run in the Likud primary for the 2009 elections, Kara called for unity between Druze and Jews, "to strengthen the Zionist connection...that has been damaged in recent years." He reminded voters of his opposition to the disengagement from Gaza, making it an important part of his campaign. He was placed 23rd on the party's list, and returned to the Knesset when Likud won 27 seats. Kara sought and received a ministerial post: becoming Israel's new Deputy Minister of the Development of the Negev and Galilee. He was the first non-Jewish nationalist to receive a portfolio. Kara opposed the inclusion of Kadima in Netanyahu's government, saying that Likud had "no room for traitors".

As Deputy Minister, Kara cited demographic issues as a growing threat to Israel. He promoted development of the two regions to encourage Jews to stay and work there. He worked to help former soldiers to study for free at colleges in the Negev and Galilee, as well as a new college of medicine in the latter. He also supported the building of casinos in the Negev. In addition, he promoted a program in Knesset to train Druze firefighters that will serve in Jewish towns in the West Bank. Later, with Kara's help, ZAKA volunteers began to establish volunteer rescue services in northern Druze and Arab towns in September 2010, starting with Beit Jann and Yirka.

Kara was placed 39th on the Likud Yisrael Beiteinu list for the 2013 elections, losing his seat as the alliance won only 31 seats. However, he returned to the Knesset following the 2015 elections, for which he was placed 24th on the Likud list. He was subsequently appointed Deputy Minister of Regional Cooperation.

Netanyahu appointed Kara as Minister in the Prime Minister's Office in January 2017, and then as Minister of Communications May of that year. He was placed 39th on the Likud list for the April 2019 elections and not re-elected. A tape was leaked in September 2019 of a conversation between Kara and Netanyahu in which the latter demanded that Kara close down the Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council. Kara was blamed by several Likud politicians for the leak, but denied involvement.