Israel Space Agency head agrees to join Knesset

MK Yitzhak Ben-Yisrael (Kadima) on Thursday agreed to join the Knesset instead of Shimon Peres, who was elected president on Wednesday. Ben-Yisrael, chairman of the Israel Space Agency, informed cabinet secretary Yisrael Maimon of his decision. A Kadima spokesman said the faction was proud to have in its ranks a man who had won the Israel Security Prize and said he was sure Ben-Yisrael would be a central force in the Knesset, contributing from his rich security experience.