Israeli legislative election, 2009
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| Israeli legislative election, 2009 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election name | 2009 Israeli legislative election |
| Country | Israel |
| Type | parliamentary |
| Previous election | 2006 Israeli legislative election |
| Previous year | 2006 |
| Next election | 2013 Israeli legislative election |
| Next year | 2013 |
| Seats for election | 120 seats in the Knesset |
| Majority seats | 61 |
| Election date | 10 February 2009 |
Israeli legislative election, 2009 was held on 10 February 2009 to elect the 18th Knesset. The contest followed the 2008–2009 Gaza conflict and preceded the global financial crisis effects in Israel, setting the stage for competition among established parties such as Likud, Kadima, and Labor Party as well as blocs including Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, and United Torah Judaism. Voter turnout, coalition arithmetic, and post-election negotiations determined the composition of the cabinet led by Benjamin Netanyahu.
Background and political context
The election was precipitated by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's resignation amid scandals linked to the Winograd Commission and corruption investigations involving the Talansky affair and Attorney General probes, which altered the balance between Kadima and Likud. The 2006 Knesset term had seen centrist realignments with figures like Tzipi Livni departing Likud to lead Kadima and challenges from nationalists including Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu. Regional security dynamics from the 2006 Lebanon War and the 2008–2009 Gaza War influenced voter priorities alongside socio-economic debates involving leaders such as Ehud Barak and commentators like Amnon Abramovich. International actors including United States administrations and diplomats monitored outcomes for implications on peace talks and relations with European Union partners.
Electoral system and procedures
Elections operated under a nationwide closed-list proportional representation system using the D'Hondt method with a 2% electoral threshold set by the Knesset electoral law; 120 seats were allocated in a single national constituency. The Central Elections Committee enforced campaign regulations, ballot design, and vote counting; overseas and military voting were administered by the Israel Defense Forces and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Party lists were determined through primaries or selection committees of parties such as Labor Party, Likud, Shas, and United Torah Judaism. Legal challenges before the Supreme Court of Israel addressed candidacy disputes and party funding limits, while the President of Israel retained the constitutional role of mandate-giver in government formation.
Parties, leaders and campaigns
Major lists included Likud led by Benjamin Netanyahu, Kadima led by Tzipi Livni, and the Labor Party under Ehud Barak. Right-wing and secular nationalist lists featured Yisrael Beiteinu led by Avigdor Lieberman and smaller parties such as National Union and The Jewish Home. Religious and Sephardi representation included Shas led by Aryeh Deri and United Torah Judaism representing Ashkenazi Haredi factions like Degel HaTorah and Agudat Yisrael. Arab Israeli representation came from Hadash, Balad, and Ra'am-Ta'al; the latter two ran in an alliance in previous cycles but contested various configurations. Campaign themes included security stances articulated by Ariel Sharon's legacy parties, socio-economic platforms from Amram Mitzna-aligned activists, and corruption accountability emphasized by opponents of Ehud Olmert. Media coverage involved outlets such as Haaretz, Yedioth Ahronoth, and The Jerusalem Post.
Opinion polls and projections
Polling firms including Dahaf Research, Dialog, and Midgam Research released periodic surveys showing fluctuating support for Kadima, Likud, and Yisrael Beiteinu; projections often emphasized coalition permutations with Shas and United Torah Judaism as kingmakers. Polls in late 2008 and early 2009 reflected the electoral impact of the 2008–2009 Gaza War, with some models forecasting a plurality for Likud combined with gains by Yisrael Beiteinu and losses for Kadima. Pundits such as Nahum Barnea and analysts from Israel Democracy Institute debated scenarios including a center-right coalition or a broad unity government; polling uncertainty increased as undecided voters shifted in response to televised debates involving Tzipi Livni and Benjamin Netanyahu.
Results and seat allocation
The final tally awarded seats across the 120-member Knesset to parties with Likud and Kadima among the largest lists; Yisrael Beiteinu made significant gains, while Labor Party and smaller factions such as National Union and The Jewish Home received varying representation. The distribution required coalition-building with parties like Shas, United Torah Judaism, and sometimes National Religious Party successors. Votes were converted to seats using the legal apportionment method overseen by the Central Elections Committee; Arab parties such as Hadash and Balad secured representation reflecting constituency patterns in Jerusalem, Nazareth, and the Galilee. Notable elected figures included Benjamin Netanyahu, Tzipi Livni, Avigdor Lieberman, Aryeh Deri, and Ehud Barak.
Government formation and aftermath
Following the results, President of Israel Shimon Peres (serving as president at the time) tasked a leading figure to form a coalition; Benjamin Netanyahu succeeded in assembling a government with Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, United Torah Judaism, and allied factions, leading to the twenty-ninth government of Israel. Cabinet portfolios were distributed among coalition partners, affecting policy directions on settlements, the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, and fiscal policy overseen by ministers including Avigdor Lieberman and Avi Dichter. Opposition roles were assumed by leaders such as Tzipi Livni and Ehud Barak, who influenced parliamentary debates and oversight through the Knesset Finance Committee and other committees. The coalition's durability was tested by disagreements over conscription law reforms involving Haredi parties and by shifting alliances that set the stage for subsequent elections in 2013.