Yair Shamir enters politics, joins Yisrael Beytenu

Son of former PM Yitzhak Shamir moves to public sector after serving as chairman of El Al and Israel Aerospace Industries.

Shamir 311 (photo credit: Courtesy)
Shamir 311
(photo credit: Courtesy)
Yair Shamir, son of former prime minister Yitzhak Shamir, announced on Friday that he is joining Yisrael Beytenu and entering politics.
"For my father, the path was more important than the party, and his path was freedom of the individual, wholeness of the nation and the land, and aliyah," Shamir said in an interview with Yediot Aharonot. "He would join whoever had that merchandise, and I am sure that he would have considered Yisrael Beytenu."
Shamir, 67, is a former pilot and IAF Colonel, who served as chairman of El Al and Israel Aerospace Industries. He is currently chairman and partner in Catalyst Investments, and chairman of the Shalem Center's board, as well as Gvahim, a job-placement organization for new olim.
"Yair Shamir has a long history of service and dedication to his country," a Yisrael Beytenu spokesman said. "He has proven expertise in military and security matters, as well as in the global economic field."
The party spokesman added that Shamir joining Yisrael Beytenu demonstrates that the party "most closely adheres to the cardinal principles of settlement, aliyah and defense of the homeland."