Likud

Likud is a major Israeli political party that has played a significant role in the country's politics since its founding in 1973 by Menachem Begin, Ariel Sharon, and Yitzhak Shamir. The party has been led by prominent figures such as Benjamin Netanyahu, who has served as the Prime Minister of Israel and has been a key player in the country's relations with the United States, European Union, and other nations, including Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey. The party's ideology is rooted in Zionism and National conservatism, with a strong emphasis on Free market economics, as evident in the policies of Margaret Thatcher and the Reagan administration. The party has been a member of the International Democrat Union and has ties with other center-right parties, such as the Christian Democratic Union of Germany and the Republican Party (United States).

● History

The history of the party is closely tied to the development of the State of Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The party's founders, including Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir, were key figures in the Irgun and Lehi movements, which fought for Israeli independence during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The party's early years were marked by its opposition to the Labor Party (Israel), led by David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir, and its support for the Settlement movement in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The party's rise to power was facilitated by its alliance with other right-wing parties, such as the National Religious Party and the Tzomet party, and its support from prominent Rabbis, including Menachem Mendel Schneerson and Ovadia Yosef. The party has also been influenced by international events, such as the Camp David Accords and the Oslo Accords, and has maintained close ties with other nations, including Canada, Australia, and China.

● Ideology

The party's ideology is based on a combination of National liberalism and Economic liberalism, with a strong emphasis on Free market economics and Limited government. The party supports the Two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, but has been critical of the Palestinian National Authority and its leader, Mahmoud Abbas. The party has also been a strong supporter of the Settlement movement and has opposed the Disengagement from Gaza and other territorial concessions. The party's ideology has been influenced by the writings of Ze'ev Jabotinsky and Vladimir Jabotinsky, and has been shaped by its relationships with other right-wing parties, such as the Republican Party (United States) and the Conservative Party (UK).

● Organization

The party is organized into a number of different branches, including the Likud Central Committee and the Likud Youth. The party has a strong presence in the Knesset, where it has been represented by prominent Members of the Knesset (MKs), including Benjamin Netanyahu, Gilad Erdan, and Yisrael Katz. The party has also maintained close ties with other organizations, such as the World Likud and the American Friends of Likud, and has been supported by prominent Donors, including Sheldon Adelson and Ronald Lauder. The party's organization has been influenced by its relationships with other parties, such as the Christian Democratic Union of Germany and the Liberal Party of Australia.

● Electoral History

The party has a long and complex electoral history, with a number of significant victories and defeats. The party's first major electoral victory came in 1977, when it won 43 seats in the Knesset and Menachem Begin became the Prime Minister of Israel. The party has since won a number of elections, including the 1981, 1996, 2009, and 2013 elections, and has been led by prominent figures such as Yitzhak Shamir, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ariel Sharon. The party has also been part of several Coalition governments, including the National Unity Government and the Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu coalition. The party's electoral history has been influenced by its relationships with other parties, such as the Labor Party (Israel) and the Meretz party.

● Notable Members

The party has been home to a number of notable members, including Benjamin Netanyahu, Ariel Sharon, and Yitzhak Shamir. Other prominent members include Moshe Arens, Ehud Olmert, and Tzipi Livni, who have all played important roles in the party's history and development. The party has also been supported by prominent Intellectuals, including Natan Sharansky and Martin Peretz, and has maintained close ties with other notable figures, such as Henry Kissinger and George W. Bush. The party's notable members have been influenced by their relationships with other parties, such as the Republican Party (United States) and the Conservative Party (UK).

● Controversies

The party has been involved in a number of controversies over the years, including the Sabra and Shatila massacre and the Gaza flotilla raid. The party has also been criticized for its support of the Settlement movement and its opposition to the Two-state solution. The party has been the subject of several Corruption scandals, including the Bar-On-Hebron affair and the Submarine corruption scandal, and has been accused of Racism and Xenophobia by its critics. The party's controversies have been influenced by its relationships with other parties, such as the Labor Party (Israel) and the Meretz party, and have been shaped by its interactions with other nations, including Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. The party has also been involved in controversies related to its relationships with other organizations, such as the Jewish National Fund and the World Jewish Congress.