Dan Illouz Resigns From Knesset, Shabtai Katsch to Replace Him as Likud's First Ultra-Orthodox MK

Dan Illouz submitted his resignation from the 25th Knesset to Speaker Amir Ohana on Tuesday, days after announcing his departure from Likud to join Yisrael Beiteinu ahead of the elections. Illouz's resignation will allow Shabtai Katsch, who secured the ultra-Orthodox slot in the 2022 Likud primaries and was placed 45th on the party list, to enter the Knesset. Katsch will make history as the first ultra-Orthodox member ever to represent the ruling Likud party.

Following his resignation, Illouz criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud's policies on social media, explaining that he delayed his resignation to prevent an ultra-Orthodox MK from entering the Knesset on Likud's behalf and supporting legislation he opposed. Illouz stated, "Netanyahu failed and must go home. The place of the Zionist right is no longer in Likud, which has lost its way, but in Yisrael Beiteinu." In his resignation letter, Illouz reflected on his aliyah less than 20 years ago and his journey to becoming a legislator, returning his mandate to Likud as he joined Yisrael Beiteinu.

Shabtai Katsch, 51, from Lod, is a Chabad Hasid, lawyer, and real estate entrepreneur. He is the son of Rabbi Aharon Katschvili and studied at "Tomchei Temimim" yeshivas in Lod and Kfar Chabad. Katsch has served on Lod's city council, chaired the religious council, and was secretary of the settlement Neria. He also participated in the Central Elections Committee and holds leadership roles within Likud. Katsch holds a law degree, rabbinical ordination from the Chief Rabbinate, and volunteers with ZAKA. His election in the ultra-Orthodox slot marks the first official Haredi representation in Likud's Knesset faction, following previous unsuccessful attempts to include ultra-Orthodox candidates in realistic positions on the party list.