Shabtai Katash
Israeli politician
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Shabtai Katash (born 2 June 1975) is an Israeli lawyer, businessman, public activist and Chabad-affiliated political activist from Lod, who currently serves as a Member of the Knesset for Likud since 2026. He previously won the party's reserved slot for Haredi candidates ahead of the 2022 Knesset election.[1]
Shabtai Katash | |
|---|---|
| שבתי קטש | |
Katash in 2026 | |
| Faction represented in the Knesset | |
| 2026– | Likud |
| Other roles | |
| 2002–2007 | Member of the Lod City Council |
| 2024–2025 | Member of the Lod City Council |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 June 1975 |
| Party | Likud |
| Spouse | Freidi Katash |
| Children | 6 |
| Education | Ono Academic College |
| Occupation | Lawyer • Businessman • Politician |
Biography
Katash is an adherent of the Chabad Hasidic dynasty, and is of Georgian descent. He operates a law firm and a real estate company, which has built projects in Lod and Tbilisi.[2] He was first elected to Lod's City Council in 2002,[a] as the leader of the "Young Power" electoral list.[3] He served until the dissolution of the Lod City Council in 2007.[4][5]
Ahead of the 2022 Knesset election, Katash sought election to the Knesset as a member of Likud. Competing in the party's primaries for the 45th slot on the party's electoral list, which is reserved for members of the Ultraorthodox minority,[6] Katash won the nomination, defeating Bnei Brak city councilor Ya'akov Vidar.[7]
Ahead of the 2024 municipal election, Katash ran for a seat on Likud's electoral list in the city of Lod. He received the second slot, behind mayor Yair Revivo, and was elected to Lod's City Council.[8][9] He resigned on 28 February 2025 after being elected head of the Lod Religious Council, which had previously been under an Appointed Commission for 14 years.[10][11]
Katash entered the Knesset after Dan Illouz's resignation took effect on 13 August 2026.[12]