Shabbetai Katash, a Chabad Hasid and resident of Lod, is set to become the first Haredi member of Knesset in Likud’s ranks. Katash, 51, is considered a respected figure within the party and has been deeply embedded in its institutions for many years. He previously served as a Lod city council member for Likud, and currently chairs the city’s religious council and heads the party’s Haredi headquarters.
Katash’s entry into the Knesset comes after MK Dan Illouz submitted his resignation letter yesterday to Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana. Illouz, who announced his move to the Yisrael Beiteinu party, chose to end his tenure with a sharp attack on Likud, claiming the party had capitulated to the Haredim. With Illouz’s departure, Katash—who was placed in the 45th spot on the list and is expected to fill his seat—represents the Haredi constituency that was selected in the last primaries.
In the 2022 primaries, Katash scored a significant achievement when he won Likud’s Haredi slot, defeating Yaakov Vider, a Bnei Brak city council member and Channel 14 panelist. Beyond his work at the Haredi headquarters, Katash is involved in the movement’s internal forums and serves as a member of the secretariat of Likud’s Georgian Forum.
Alongside his political activity, Katash is a businessman and real estate developer who was among the founders of the “Sha’arei Ha’ir” neighborhood in Lod, the city where he grew up and where he operates. He received his Torah and Hasidic education at the Tomchei Temimim yeshivas in Lod and Kfar Chabad.