Ya'akov Shamai

Background

Shamai was born in Jerusalem during the Mandate era.

Career

After high school, he did national service in the IDF between 1958 and 1961, before working in agriculture. He headed the Likud faction in the Histadrut trade union, and was on the Likud list for the 1984 Knesset elections. He was re-elected in 1988 and 1992, before losing his seat in the 1996 elections.

Achievements

• Although he failed to win a seat, he entered the Knesset on 5 February 1985 as a replacement for the deceased Yitzhak Seiger.