In 2005, Sheetrit left Likud and joined Ariel Sharon's new Kadima party.
He was re-elected in 2006 and appointed Minister of Housing and Construction, a post he held until July 2007, when he was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs.
Between 23 August and 29 November 2006, he also served as Acting Justice Minister following Haim Ramon's resignation on 18 August over an indecent assault indictment.
Sheetrit was replaced in the Justice portfolio by Tzipi Livni, who also continued to serve as Foreign Minister.

In February 2008, whilst Israeli airstrikes in Gaza were ongoing, Sheetrit told Army Radio that: "If it were up to me, I would hit everything that moves with weapons and ammunition", adding: "I don't think we have to show pity for anyone who wants to kill us."

Following Ehud Olmert's resignation as party leader, Sheetrit ran for the party chairmanship.
However, he came third out of the four candidates in the election, receiving only 8.5% of the vote.
Placed seventh on the party's list, he retained his seat in the 2009 elections
In early 2011, he and another MK sprayed air freshener in the Knesset, complaining about the "stench of bad politics".
Both MKs were escorted out and speaker Reuven Rivlin condemned the actions.

As head of the Knesset Science and Technology Committee, he spoke at the  international Wikimania conference held in Haifa in 2011.
In 2005, Sheetrit left Likud and joined Ariel Sharon's new Kadima party. He was re-elected in 2006 and appointed Minister of Housing and Construction, a post he held until July 2007, when he was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs. Between 23 August and 29 November 2006, he also served as Acting Justice Minister following Haim Ramon's resignation on 18 August over an indecent assault indictment. Sheetrit was replaced in the Justice portfolio by Tzipi Livni, who also continued to serve as Foreign Minister.
In February 2008, whilst Israeli airstrikes in Gaza were ongoing, Sheetrit told Army Radio that: "If it were up to me, I would hit everything that moves with weapons and ammunition", adding: "I don't think we have to show pity for anyone who wants to kill us."
Following Ehud Olmert's resignation as party leader, Sheetrit ran for the party chairmanship. However, he came third out of the four candidates in the election, receiving only 8.5% of the vote. Placed seventh on the party's list, he retained his seat in the 2009 elections
In early 2011, he and another MK sprayed air freshener in the Knesset, complaining about the "stench of bad politics". Both MKs were escorted out and speaker Reuven Rivlin condemned the actions.
As head of the Knesset Science and Technology Committee, he spoke at the  international Wikimania conference held in Haifa in 2011.
Meir Sheetrit