Ireland’s Only Jewish Member of Parliament, Now Minister of Justice, Equality and Defense

Alan Shatter, Ireland’s only Jewish member of Parliament, was sworn in as the new Minister for Justice, Equality and also Minister for Defense. Following last week’s parliamentary election, a coalition government of his center-right Fine Gael Party and the liberal Labor Party was formed. Mr. Shatter, 60, represents a constituency in the south of Dublin, where most of Ireland’s Jews live.

Shatter is the second Jewish Cabinet minister in Ireland’s history after Mervyn Taylor in the 1990s. He earned his reputation during a 30-year career in politics, as a reformer of Ireland’s conservative family laws. He has also stood consistently in support of Israel.

“Alan’s appointment to the role of Minister for Justice, Equality and Minister for Defense is a singular achievement, and is of course a source of pride for the Jewish Community,” Rabbi Zalman Lent, Rabbi of the Dublin Hebrew Congregation and Director of Chabad of Ireland told lubavitch.com.