New-old MK: The presidential elections brought not only a new president, but also a new MK to replace President-elect Reuven Rivlin - MK Carmel Shama HaCohen, number 32 on the Likud Beiteinu list, is returning to the Knesset after a short break.
According to the law, if the candidate elected for president is an MK, immediately upon the announcement, his term as a Knesset member expires, and the next person on the list takes office immediately, with the swearing-in taking place today or tomorrow.
Shama HaCohen was born and raised in Ramat Gan. In the IDF, he served as an investigator in the Counterintelligence and Special Investigations Unit in the Intelligence Branch. Shama HaCohen holds a bachelor's degree in law from the Interdisciplinary Center in Herzliya, and is a certified real estate appraiser.
Starting in 2002, he served as chairman of the Likud branch in Ramat Gan. In 2003, he was elected as a member of the Ramat Gan Municipal Council, and served on the council until his election to the Knesset in 2009. In his activities on the council, he stood out in the field of environmental quality. Shama HaCohen served as chairman of the municipality's audit committee, in which framework he waged a well-publicized battle against Mayor Zvi Bar.
During the disengagement period, he served as chairman of the National Likud Youth Council, and supported Sharon.
In 2009, in the elections for the 18th Knesset, Shama HaCohen was elected in the primaries to 25th place, on the Likud list as a representative of the Dan District, and entered the Knesset.
Initially, he served as Deputy Chairman of the Knesset, and after about a year he was appointed Chairman of the Economics Committee.
In the primaries for the 19th Knesset, Shama HaCohen was placed 32nd on the Likud Beitenu list, and did not enter the Knesset after the party won only 31 seats.
In the local elections held in October 2013, he ran for mayor of Ramat Gan, on an independent list, "Ramat-Gan 1". But he lost to Israel Singer, who was indirectly supported by Prime Minister Netanyahu. His faction received 4 seats in the council and he serves as chairman of the municipal opposition.
It is interesting to note that Shama is at odds with MK Haim Katz, who served as chairman of Reuven Rivlin's staff, which indirectly led to Shama's return to the Knesset.
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