12 Facts About Majalli Wahabi

Majalli Wahabi is a Druze-Israeli politician who served as a member of the Knesset for Likud, Kadima and HaTnuah between 2003 and 2013.

Majalli Wahabi briefly assumed the position of Acting President due to the President of Israel Mr Moshe Katsav's leave of absence as well as due to Interim and Acting President of Israel Mrs Dalia Itzik's diplomatic trips abroad that took place during 2007; making him the first non-jew and the first Druze to be Israel's acting head of state; although assuming it for a mere few short periods during that year.

Majalli Wahabi is fluent in Arabic, Hebrew, English, and French.

Majalli Wahabi served in the 1982 Lebanon War, and subsequently as a deputy brigade commander in the Golan Heights Division, and as a senior Northern Command officer.

Majalli Wahabi is married and has 4 children; among them is his son Tomer Wahaba who served as the first Druze member of the Israeli Army Radio.

Majalli Wahabi was elected to the 16th Knesset in 2003 on the Likud list.

When Sharon left Likud to found Kadima, Majalli Wahabi followed, and was elected to the 17th Knesset in 2006 on the Kadima list.

Majalli Wahabi assumed the position of Deputy Speaker of the Knesset.

Majalli Wahabi retained his seat in the 2009 elections after being placed 21st on the Kadima list.

Majalli Wahabi condemned a website that "incited against Israeli soldiers" as war criminals and published their personal information and called for the punishment of those responsible.

Shortly before the 2013 elections Majalli Wahabi joined the new Hatnuah party, and was placed twelfth on its list.

Majalli Wahabi lost his seat as the party won only six seats.