JERUSALEM, Feb. 3 (UPI) -- A Nobel Prize-winning chemist met with Israeli lawmakers and officials Monday as he kicked off a campaign to win support for a run for the presidency.
If successful, Dan Shechtman would become the first non-politician elected to the office in 40 years, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Shechtman met with members of the Yesh Atid faction of the Knesset in hopes of gathering the backing of at least 10 members of the Israeli Parliament needed to run for president. He also met with Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman, leader of the Yisrael Beiteinu party.
Yesh Atid and Yisrael Beiteinu control about a quarter of the Knesset.
Shechtman also met with Knesset speaker Yuli Edelstein, describing himself as apolitical and as someone who has always represented Israel as a creative and scientific country in his speaking engagements abroad.
Edelstein said while he would not endorse anyone, "whoever runs must be able to reach out to all Israel's citizens, no matter what their opinions or standing."
The speaker still must set a date for the election, which is expected to take place in June.
Shechtman won the Nobel Prize for chemistry in 2011. He announced his presidential intentions in January.
Biophysicist Ephraim Katzir was elected president of Israel in 1973, the last non-politician to win the office.
