Eli Yishai, Shas

Eli Yishai became chairman of the ultra-Orthodox Shas party in 1999 following the conviction of former party head Aryeh Deri on corruption charges. He has been a member of Knesset since 1996.

Yishai began his political career in the capital, where he was a member of the Jerusalem City Council from 1987-1988.

From 1990-1996, Yishai held the senior position of Shas party secretary general. From 1995-1996, he was also Director General of the Shas educational network (El Ha'maayan), which Shas considers one of the most important services it provides to its constituents.

Yishai was first elected to the Knesset in 1996, during which he was appointed Minister of Labor and Social Affairs in the Netanyahu government. At the time of his appointment, he was the second youngst cabinet minister in Israeli history.

From 1999-2000, when he was Shas chairman, Yishia served in the same ministerial post, only this time in the Barak government.

From 2001-2003, when Shas was part of the Sharon government, Yishai served as Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister.

Yishai was born in Jerusalem in 1962. He is married with five children.