First Charedi MK From The Likud To Be Sworn Into Knesset

Likud MK Dan Illouz submitted his resignation from the Knesset to Speaker Amir Ohana on Tuesday morning after announcing he was joining the Yisrael Beiteinu party.

His departure clears the way for Shabtai Katash, a Chabad Hasid and Lod resident, to enter the Knesset as the first charedi lawmaker to represent the Likud.

Katash is an attorney and real estate entrepreneur who has held various public roles. He previously served as secretary of the Neria community and as a Lod City Council member, where he chaired the municipal tenders portfolio. He also sat on Israel's Central Elections Committee and chaired local election committees.

Within Likud, Katash serves on the party's Central Committee and Lod branch council, and on the secretariat of the party's Georgian Forum, which brings together members with ties to the former Soviet province of Georgia.

Katash holds a bachelor's degree in law, practices as an attorney, and has received rabbinical ordination from Israel's Chief Rabbinate.