AMOR, SHAUL

(1941-2004)

   Born in Morocco, he immigrated to Israel in 1956. He was formerly head of the Migdal Ha'emek local council. A Likud member of the Knesset since 1988, he was his party's candidate for president of Israel in 1998 but was defeated by the incumbent, Ezer Weizman. In January 1999, Amor was named minister without portfolio in the government of Benjamin Netanyahu. In May 1999, he was appointed ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg, though this appointment was challenged on the grounds that it was made to compensate Amor for having been bumped from a secure slot on the Likud list of candidates contesting the 17 May 1999 election (see KNESSET ELECTIONS) to the 15th Knesset. He died on 2 October 2004.