Background
Shnaan, a Druze, was born and raised in Hurfeish.
Shnaan, a Druze, was born and raised in Hurfeish.
Afterwards he completed his academic studies in general studies, oriental studies and pre-law studies at Tel Aviv University.
In his military service with the Israel Defense Forces, he was a fighter in the Herev Battalion. Shnaan then returned to his home town, working between 1989-1995 as a teacher and acting principal of the local six-years post-elementary school. Throughout the years Shnaan was active with the Histadrut.
He was appointed as an advisor to Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Saleh Tarif.
Following the elections to the 14th Knesset he was a senior advisor to the Minister responsible for Minorities Affairs within the Prime Minister" General’ s Office. He held this position between 1997 and 2001, and was later appointed as the administrator of the northern district for the Ministry of Labor and Welfare.
Shnaan was also director of the district"s branch of the Ministry of Welfare. In 2005 he was appointed by Minister of Internal Affairs Ophir Pines-Paz as his senior advisor, maintaining the post for one year.
In 2006, Shnaan nominated himself for the Labor Party"s list of candidates for the 2006 elections.
Prior to his entry to the Knesset, Shnaan was considered by party chairman Amir Peretz as his candidate for the post of minister, eventually given to Raleb Majadele. Placed 16th on the party"s list for the 2009 elections, he lost his seat as Labor were reduced to 13 seats. He subsequently joined the breakaway Independence party, and returned to the Knesset on 14 February 2012 as a replacement for Matan Vilnai, who had been appointed as ambassador to China.
He lost his Knesset seat in 2013 after Independence chose not to contest the elections.
He is a member of the Education, Culture and Sports Committee.