he began his political career when elected to the haifa labor council in 1964, a position he retained until 1971. between 1964 and 1969, he was also a member of haifa city council. for the 1969 knesset elections he was placed 57th on the alignment's list, but missed out when the alliance won only 56 seats. nevertheless, shahal entered the knesset on 1 september 1971 as a replacement for the deceased mordechai ofer.