Yisrael Beytenu MK replaces Likud lawmaker in Knesset shakeup

Yisrael Beytenu lawmaker Alex Miller joined Israel’s parliament Wednesday, taking the place of recently installed Likud party member Carmel Shama-Hacohen, a Knesset spokesperson said.

Shama-Hacohen had joined the lawmaking body when Likud MK Reuven Rivlin vacated his seat after winning the presidential election in June.

However, Shama-Hacohen, who was the last Likud member on the party’s election slate to not make into the 19th Knesset last year, will instead become the country’s envoy to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, the spokesperson said.

The vacancy means Yisrael Beytenu’s Miller will join the Knesset.

Miller served in both the 17th and 18th Knessets, but was too low down on the party’s slate to make it in after the last round of elections.

The move means the ruling Likud party will now have 19 seats, the same number of mandates as senior coalition partner Yesh Atid.

Likud and Yisrael Beytenu ran on a joint list in January 2013, winning 31 seats. Under the terms of the partnership, Likud ended up with 20 seats and Yisrael Beytenu 11.

Last month Yisrael Beytenu head Avigdor Liberman ended the marriage, citing political differences.

In the last Knesset, Miller served as deputy speaker of the Knesset and the head of the Education, Culture, and Sports Committee.