| Haim Amsalem | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 12 October 1959 |
| Place of birth | Oran, Algeria |
| Year of aliyah | 1970 |
| Knessets | 17, 18 |
| Party | Whole Nation (2011-) |
| Former parties | Shas (2006-2010) |
Rabbi Emil Haim Amsalem (Hebrew: חיים אמסלם, born 12 October 1959) is an Israeli politician and member of the Knesset. A former member of Shas, in 2011 he established the Whole Nation party.
Born in Oran in Algeria, Amsalem made aliyah to Israel in 1970. He underwent a rabbinical ordination, and qualified to serve as rabbi of a municipality.[1] He was first elected to the Knesset in 2006, and retained his seat in the 2009 elections, having been placed tenth on the Shas list.
In November 2010 he was expelled from the party after criticising strictures against conversion, rising unemployment and national service evasion among yeshiva students as well as a lack of secular educational opportunities for children, but refused to give up his Knesset seat.[2] The Jerusalem Post's Jonah Mandel describes the root of the break:
Key to Amsalem’s approach, and perhaps what is most problematic to his party’s line, is his call on those who aren’t destined to be great Torah scholars and who have families to work, and not live on “shameful” allotments.[3]
Five months later, he formed the Whole Nation party, and announced plans to run for the 19th Knesset.[4]
Amsalem is married, has eight children and lives in Jerusalem.
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