Israeli legislative election, 2015
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| Israeli legislative election, 2015 | |
|---|---|
 Ranbar · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source | |
| Election name | 20th Knesset 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 seats in the Knesset |
| Majority seats | 61 |
| Election date | 17 March 2015 |
Israeli legislative election, 2015 The 2015 election for the twentieth Knesset was held on 17 March 2015 and determined representation for 120 seats in the Knesset, leading to the formation of a coalition headed by Benjamin Netanyahu and involving parties across the Israeli political spectrum. The vote followed a four-year term that included events such as the 2014 Gaza War, debates over the Iran nuclear deal, and domestic controversies involving Judicial Reform proposals and social protests. High-profile figures included leaders of Likud, Zionist Union, Yesh Atid, Kulanu, Joint List, and The Jewish Home, with turnout and alliance dynamics shaped by electoral law administered by the Central Elections Committee (Israel).
Background
The lead-up to the election involved political shifts after the previous 2013 Knesset, including the resignation of ministers associated with Kadima and the emergence of new movements like Yesh Atid led by Yair Lapid and Zehut precursor discussions around Moshe Feiglin. Security events such as the 2014 kidnapping and murder of Israeli teenagers and the subsequent 2014 Gaza War influenced public opinion alongside international developments including negotiations between P5+1 and Iran over the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. Economic debates touched on issues raised by protests linked to 2011 Israeli social justice protests and figures like Shelly Yachimovich and Amir Peretz who had previously led Israeli Labor Party factions. The political landscape was also affected by legal proceedings involving personalities associated with Benjamin Netanyahu and the Attorney General of Israel.
Electoral system and campaign rules
Elections were conducted under proportional representation with a closed party list using the entire country as a single constituency and the Hagenbach-Bischoff variant of the highest averages method applied by the Central Elections Committee (Israel); the electoral threshold was 3.25%, established after reforms debated in the Knesset and implemented by legislation influenced by members of Likud, Yesh Atid, and Kulanu. Campaign finance and advertising were regulated by the Local Authorities (Elections) Law adaptations and overseen by the Central Elections Committee (Israel) and the Ministry of Justice (Israel), with rules on broadcasting enforced by the Israel Broadcasting Authority and challenged in petitions to the Supreme Court of Israel. Voting procedures accounted for soldiers and citizens abroad with coordination by the Ministry of Defense (Israel) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel).
Parties and candidates
Major lists contesting the election included Likud led by Benjamin Netanyahu; the Zionist Union alliance of Israeli Labor Party and Hatnuah led by Isaac Herzog and Tzipi Livni; Yesh Atid led by Yair Lapid; The Joint List combining Hadash, Balad, United Arab List and Ta'al under leaders such as Ayman Odeh; Kulanu led by Moshe Kahlon; The Jewish Home led by Naftali Bennett; Shas led by Aryeh Deri; United Torah Judaism; Meretz led by Zehava Gal-On; and smaller lists like Israel Beiteinu led by Avigdor Lieberman and Zehut-aligned groups. Candidate selection processes involved primaries within parties such as Likud primaries and negotiations over list placements for alliance partners including Hatnua and local factional leaders like Yuval Steinitz and Gideon Saar.
Campaign issues and events
Campaign rhetoric focused on security topics including responses to the 2014 Gaza War, the threat perception related to Hezbollah and Iran, and positions on the Two-state solution debated by Zionist Union and Likud. Economic and social policy debates referenced the legacy of the 2011 Israeli social justice protests and policy proposals on housing and cost of living advanced by Yair Lapid and Moshe Kahlon. Controversial events included televised debates featuring Benjamin Netanyahu, Isaac Herzog, and Tzipi Livni; accusations of incitement directed at leaders of The Joint List and ensuing legal complaints brought before the Supreme Court of Israel; and last-minute shifts such as withdrawals and endorsements involving figures like Amir Peretz, Shelly Yachimovich, and Tzipi Hotovely. International reactions involved statements from leaders such as Barack Obama and discussions in the European Union about implications for peace negotiations.
Election results
The final tally gave Likud the largest single-party representation, while the Zionist Union emerged as the main center-left bloc in seat count; The Joint List achieved significant representation for Arab-majority parties, and new entrants like Kulanu won a notable number of seats. Turnout figures reflected mobilization across demographic groups including voters in West Bank settlements, Israeli citizens in the Golan Heights, and Israeli Arabs in the Galilee. The distribution of seats produced a center-right bloc led by Benjamin Netanyahu able to secure coalition partners such as United Torah Judaism, Shas, Kulanu, and The Jewish Home, while parties like Meretz and Yesh Atid entered opposition roles. International observers and domestic analysts compared results to polling by agencies like Peace Index and Dahaf Research.
Government formation
Coalition negotiations culminated in Benjamin Netanyahu receiving a mandate from the President of Israel (Rivlin) to form a government, resulting in the twenty-ninth government of Israel composed of Likud, Kulanu, Bayit Yehudi (The Jewish Home), Shas, and United Torah Judaism with portfolios allocated among ministers including Avigdor Lieberman-linked maneuvers and appointments such as Ariel Atias-era figures returning to influence. The coalition agreement addressed contentious items like settlements policy in the West Bank, judicial appointments involving the Supreme Court of Israel, and socio-economic measures advocated by Moshe Kahlon. The new government faced ongoing challenges from opposition leaders such as Isaac Herzog, Yair Lapid, and Ayman Odeh and entered its term amid regional tensions involving Iran and Syria.