Danon UN appointment prompts Likud reshuffling

The appointment of Likud minister Danny Danon as Israel's next ambassador to the U.N. means there will be number of changes within Israel's ruling party.

First of all, Sharren Haskel, No. 31 on the Likud list, will take Danon's place in the Knesset. Haskel, a 31-year-old Kfar Saba resident, was born in Canada but her family moved to Israel when she was a baby. During her military service, she served in the Border Police. Following her military service, she traveled to the United States and then continued on to Australia, where she stayed for six years. In Australia, she studied to become a veterinary nurse.

In 2004, Haskel won the Israel Debate Championships.

Currently, Haskel is known best for her advocacy related to environmental issues.

On Friday, Haskel wrote on Facebook, "I'd like to congratulate Minister Danny Danon on his appointment to the post of ambassador to the U.N. and I'm happy that it will enable me to serve the citizens of Israel from the Knesset."

After Haskel is sworn in, there will be 30 female MKs in the Knesset, marking a new record for female representation in Israel's legislative body.

Danon is chairman of the Likud Central Committee and his impending departure for New York has set off a race for who will replace him in that position. The two main candidates are Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev and Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi. Other names that have been mentioned are Tourism Minister Yariv Levin and former Likud minister Gideon Sa'ar, who announced a break politics last year.

Danon's move to New York also means the Science, Technology and Space portfolio is up for grabs. The leading candidate for the portfolio is Likud MK Benny Begin. Another potential candidate is Hanegbi.

טעינו? נתקן! אם מצאתם טעות בכתבה, נשמח שתשתפו אותנו