Likud (political party)

Likud (political party)
Name	Likud
Foundation	1973
Seats1 title	Knesset
Country	Israel

Likud (political party) is a major Israeli political party formed in 1973 that has played a central role in Israeli parliamentary system, Israeli politics, and Middle East peace process. Founded as an alliance of liberal and nationalist groups, the party has produced multiple prime ministers and influenced relations with United States, Egypt, Jordan, and Palestinian Authority. Prominent figures associated with the party include Menachem Begin, Benjamin Netanyahu, Ariel Sharon, Yitzhak Shamir, and Moshe Dayan.

History

Likud emerged in 1973 from a coalition of parties including Herut (political party), Liberal Party (Israel), Free Centre, and Movement for Greater Israel during the aftermath of the Yom Kippur War, seeking to challenge the dominance of the Israeli Labor Party and leaders such as Golda Meir and Levi Eshkol. In the 1977 elections Likud, led by Menachem Begin, achieved a landmark victory over Labor Party (Israel), reshaping Israeli alignments and leading to the 1978 Camp David Accords negotiations with Anwar Sadat and Jimmy Carter. During the 1980s and 1990s Likud figures like Yitzhak Shamir navigated coalition politics with parties such as Shas, Tzomet, and National Religious Party (Mafdal), confronting events including the First Intifada and implementing economic reforms influenced by advisors like Yitzhak Moda'i and market elements seen in policies of Rafi Eitan. The 2000s saw leaders such as Ariel Sharon split to form Kadima after the Camp David Summit (2000), while Benjamin Netanyahu later returned to lead Likud through election campaigns against opponents like Ehud Barak and Ehud Olmert, overseeing responses to the Second Intifada, diplomacy with George W. Bush, and security developments involving Hezbollah and Hamas.

Ideology and platform

Likud's platform synthesizes elements from Revisionist Zionism, Liberalism, and Israeli nationalism, advocating policies on territorial disputes such as positions regarding the West Bank and Golan Heights while promoting market-oriented economic reforms similar to those implemented in the 1980s and 1990s influenced by global trends in neoliberalism. The party emphasizes national security stances shaped by experiences with actors like Hamas, Hezbollah, and state actors including Iran and Syria, while its diplomatic posture has alternated between negotiation initiatives like the Oslo Accords critics and outreach exemplified by the Abraham Accords. Likud's social and religious policy interactions engage institutions such as Chief Rabbinate of Israel and constituencies like the religious Zionist movement, reflecting coalition imperatives with parties including United Torah Judaism.

Organization and leadership

Likud's internal structure features a central committee and a political bureau with leadership contests decided by party primaries, where figures such as Benjamin Netanyahu, Ariel Sharon, and Moshe Katzav have been prominent. The party maintains local branches across cities like Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, Beersheba, and Haifa, coordinating election campaigns with strategists who have ties to Israeli media outlets such as Haaretz, Yedioth Ahronoth, and international contacts in Washington, D.C.. Coalition negotiations typically involve interfacing with parties including Shas, Religious Zionist Party, and Blue and White (political alliance) or rivals like Labor Party (Israel) and Meretz, requiring management by party organs and leaders overseeing Knesset factions.

Electoral performance

Since its breakthrough in 1977, Likud has alternated in leading governments and serving in opposition, competing in Knesset elections against blocs led by Israeli Labor Party and newer formations such as Kadima and Blue and White (political alliance). Electoral highs include leading governments under Menachem Begin and Benjamin Netanyahu, while splits like Ariel Sharon's departure to Kadima affected seat totals in subsequent elections. Likud's performance is influenced by electoral law changes in the Knesset electoral system, turnout dynamics among constituencies in regions like the Negev and Galilee, and campaign issues tied to incidents such as Gaza conflicts and economic debates involving ministries like the Ministry of Finance (Israel).

Policies and governance

In government, Likud-led administrations have pursued policies ranging from market liberalization and privatization affecting corporations like Israel Electric Corporation to security measures including military operations involving the Israel Defense Forces against groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. Diplomatic initiatives under Likud leaders have included the 1978 Camp David Accords with Egypt and later outreach resulting in normalization accords with countries such as United Arab Emirates and Bahrain under the Abraham Accords. Domestic governance under Likud has navigated relations with judicial institutions like the Supreme Court of Israel, social service agencies, and settlements policy in territories related to the Oslo Accords framework and decisions concerning areas like East Jerusalem.

Criticism and controversies

Likud has faced criticism and controversies involving allegations of corruption in high-profile cases tied to leaders such as Benjamin Netanyahu and legal proceedings in Israeli courts, sparking debates over judicial independence and protests in public squares like Kikar Rabin. Policy controversies include settlement expansion in the West Bank, responses to uprisings like the Second Intifada, and clashes with civil society organizations including B'Tselem and Human Rights Watch (organization), while opponents from parties like Meretz and Labor Party (Israel) have criticized its stances on minority rights, coalition deals with ultra-Orthodox parties, and economic inequality issues linked to reports by entities such as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Category:Political parties in Israel