2015 Israeli legislative election

2015 Israeli legislative election
Ranbar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Election name	2015 Israeli legislative election
Country	Israel
Type	parliamentary
Previous election	2013 Israeli legislative election
Previous year	2013
Next election	2019 Israeli legislative election
Next year	2019
Seats for election	120 in the Knesset
Majority seats	61
Election date	17 March 2015

2015 Israeli legislative election was held on 17 March 2015 to elect the 20th Knesset. The contest featured prominent figures such as Benjamin Netanyahu, Isaac Herzog, Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett, and Miri Regev and involved parties including Likud, Zionist Union, Yesh Atid, The Joint List, and Jewish Home. Campaign themes intersected with events like the 2014 Gaza–Israel conflict, the Iran nuclear deal, and debates over Israeli–Palestinian peace process.

Background and Electoral System

The election followed the 2013 Knesset election that produced a coalition led by Benjamin Netanyahu and Likud. Israel elects the Knesset by closed-list proportional representation using the D'Hondt method with a nationwide constituency and a 3.25% electoral threshold set under the Basic Law. The previous Knesset included parties such as Labor, Hatnua, United Torah Judaism, Shas, Meretz, Kulanu, and smaller factions like Yisrael Beiteinu and Kadima. The political landscape was shaped by security incidents including the 2014 kidnapping and murder of Israeli teenagers and diplomatic developments involving United States–Israel relations, Barack Obama, and the European Union.

Campaign and Major Parties

The campaign saw major leaders: Benjamin Netanyahu headed Likud, Isaac Herzog led the Labor Party forming the Zionist Union with Tzipi Livni from Hatnua, Yair Lapid led Yesh Atid, Avigdor Lieberman led Yisrael Beiteinu, and Naftali Bennett led Jewish Home. Other significant lists included The Joint List combining Balad, Hadash, Ta'al, and United Arab List, the Shas Sephardic list headed by Aryeh Deri, United Torah Judaism with leaders like Yaakov Litzman and Moshe Gafni, the Meretz social-democratic list with Zehava Gal-On, and newcomer Kulanu headed by Moshe Kahlon. Campaign issues featured security debates tied to Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Syrian Civil War; economic platforms referencing OECD standards and welfare concerns; and social issues invoking Netanyahu's wife Sara Netanyahu controversies and ministerial scandals involving figures like Miri Regev. International actors such as John Kerry, Vladimir Putin, and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan featured indirectly in campaign rhetoric.

Opinion Polls and Pre-election Developments

Polls in the months before voting showed fluctuating support for Likud and the Zionist Union, with surges for Yesh Atid and The Joint List after alliance announcements. Pre-election developments included mergers like the formation of The Joint List to bypass the threshold, the split of Yisrael Beiteinu from Likud coalition partners, and the creation of joint centrist lists such as the Zionist Union and cooperation between Labor and Hatnua. Security incidents, including cross-border rocket fire attributed to Hamas and tensions along the Gaza–Israel barrier, influenced short-term polling. International diplomatic moves, notably reactions to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiations and pressure from the United States Department of State, affected campaign narratives. Tactical voting discussions referenced previous electoral outcomes like the 2009 Knesset election and 2013 results.

Results and Seat Allocation

The election results produced a plurality for Likud while the Zionist Union emerged as the main opposition bloc. The Joint List entered the Knesset as a united Arab-majority alliance, outperforming several expectations. Smaller and religious parties such as Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Yesh Atid secured representation, while parties like Kadima failed to pass the threshold. Seat allocation reflected the nationwide list system and the D'Hondt distribution, with coalition arithmetic centered on blocs: the right-religious bloc including Likud, Jewish Home, Shas, United Torah Judaism, and Yisrael Beiteinu contested against the center-left and Arab-aligned parties. Electoral participation involved leading candidates across districts and mobilization by organizations like Israel Broadcasting Authority and civil society groups.

Government Formation and Coalition Negotiations

Post-election negotiations focused on whether Benjamin Netanyahu could assemble a coalition commanding a majority in the Knesset. Coalition bargaining involved portfolio offers to Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett, and Aryeh Deri, and considerations about including or excluding Yisrael Beiteinu and ultra-Orthodox factions like United Torah Judaism. International reactions from Barack Obama and foreign envoys influenced diplomatic framing but not coalition mechanics. Policy negotiations covered security, judicial appointments under the Supreme Court of Israel, and economic measures tied to ministries such as the Finance Ministry and the Foreign Ministry. The eventual coalition formation required horse-trading over ministerial positions, legislative priorities, and confidence from the President of Israel who tasked a leader with forming the government.

Aftermath and Political Impact

The election reshaped the Israeli party system, strengthening right-wing blocs and prompting realignments among centrists and Arabs, while affecting leaders' political trajectories including Benjamin Netanyahu, Isaac Herzog, Avigdor Lieberman, and Naftali Bennett. Legislative outcomes influenced debates over the Nation-State Law precursor discussions, civil-military relations with the Israel Defense Forces, and long-term strategies toward the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The results had implications for international diplomacy involving United States–Israel relations, EU engagement, and regional actors like Egypt and Jordan. Subsequent elections and political crises reflected the 2015 vote's legacy in party splits, leadership changes, and ongoing coalition volatility.

Category:Elections in Israel Category:2015 elections