Yifat Shasha-Biton is an Israeli educator and politician. She currently serves as a member of the Knesset for Likud, and held the post of Minister of Construction and Housing from 2019 to 2020.
Shasha-Biton became Vice President of Ohalo College, a teacher training college in Katzrin, and was also a member of the board at Tel-Hai Academic College. In 2008 she ran for mayor of Kiryat Shmona, and was appointed Deputy Mayor and head of the Education and Youth department at the City Council. In the 2013 local elections she was elected to the City Council. Prior to the 2015 elections she joined the new Kulanu party, and was placed seventh on its list. She was elected to the Knesset as the party won ten seats. After being elected to the Knesset, Shasha-Biton became chair of the Special Committee for the Rights of the Child. In early 2016 she held discussion with child advocates, including "Lo Tishtok", a group offering support to ultra-Orthodox victims of sexual abuse; Yitzhak Kadman, then executive director of the Israel National Council for the Child, and Manny Waks, the chief executive officer of Kol v'Oz. In his comments to her, Waks cautioned: "Sex offenders tend to move from country to country to avoid jail, but what makes Israel unique is the Law of Return, which essentially grants unhindered access to anyone who is Jewish to come here without any real screening." In response to studies about child abuse, Shasha-Biton has stated: "To end the epidemic of sexual abuse of minors, we must act systemically to raise awareness among parents and children; to provide tools to educators to identify children who were harmed; and improve the care and support to the victims and their families. In addition, changes must be made in legislation and law enforcement to bring those who harm to justice." In January 2019 Shasha-Biton was appointed Minister of Construction and Housing after the incumbent, Kulanu colleague Yoav Galant, left the party and changed portfolios. She was placed third on the Kulanu list for the April 2019 elections, and was re-elected as the party won four seats. The party subsequently merged into Likud and she was re-elected on the Likud list in the September 2019 elections. In January 2020 she was nominated for Minister of Labor, Welfare and Social Services, but her nomination was put on hold until the Knesset could approve it. When a new government was formed in May 2020, she was not included in the new cabinet. She took a position serving as Knesset Coronavirus chairwoman. On July 13, 2020, she voted to reverse the government decision to shutter pools and gyms because of fears of contagion from the covid-19 pandemic. Channel 12 reported that Likud coalition whip Miki Zohar told her: "You are finished in the Likud party." He added that she would be removed as chairwoman from the covid-19 committee. However, Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar expressed his support for her and said decisions about closings should be made based on data and not because of threats.
Personal life
Shasha-Biton lives in Kiryat Shmona, and is married with three children.
