PORUSH, MEIR

(1955- )

Israeli politician and member of theKnessetfor the ultra-OrthodoxAgudat Israelparty. He formerly served as a member of theJerusalemCity Council and deputy mayor of Jerusalem. He was first elected to the 14th Knesset (1996) from the Agudat Israel-Degel HaTorahjointUnited Torah Judaism(UTJ) list and was reelected to subsequent Knessets. On 24 June 1996, Porush was appointed deputy minister of housing in theLikud-led coalition government headed by Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahu; on 4 June 2001, he was appointed deputy minister of housing and construction in the Likud-led coalition headed by Prime MinisterAriel Sharon. He was reelected to the 17th Knesset representing the UTJ.