Likud

The Likud was formed on 13 September 1973 as a secular party{{cite book |title=Israel in the Middle East: Documents and Readings on Society, Politics, and Foreign Relations, Pre-1948 to the Present |publisher=Brandeis University Press |year=2008 |editor-first=Itamar |editor-last=Rabinovich |page=462 |editor2-first=Jehuda |editor2-last=Reinharz}}{{Cite web |date=1973-09-14 |script-title=he:אמנת הליכוד נחתמה סופית |url=https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/dav/1973/09/14/01/article/45 |access-date=2022-10-17 |website=National Library of Israel |language=he |archive-date=17 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221017225833/https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/dav/1973/09/14/01/article/45 |url-status=live }} by an alliance of several right-wing parties prior to that year's legislative election—Herut, the Liberal Party, the Free Centre, the National List, and the Movement for Greater Israel. Herut had been the nation's largest right-wing party since growing out of the Irgun in 1948. It had already been in coalition with the Liberals since 1965 as Gahal, with Herut as the senior partner. Herut remained the senior partner in the new grouping, which was given the name Likud, meaning "Consolidation", as it represented the consolidation of the Israeli right.{{cite web |title=Likud |url=https://www.knesset.gov.il/faction/eng/FactionPage_eng.asp?PG=13 |access-date=2011-02-12 |publisher=Knesset |archive-date=4 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604114829/http://www.knesset.gov.il/faction/eng/FactionPage_eng.asp?PG=13 |url-status=live }} It worked as a coalition under Herut's leadership until 1988, when the member parties merged into a single party under the Likud name.{{Cite web |title=הליכוד |url=https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/parties/likud/ |access-date=2022-10-18 |website=Israel Democracy Institute |language=he |archive-date=28 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028225113/https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/parties/likud/ |url-status=live }} From its establishment in 1973, Likud enjoyed great support from blue-collar Sephardim.{{Cite journal |last=Peled |first=Yoav |date=2001 |title=Roar of the Lion: Shas and the Challenge to Israeli Identity |journal=Israel Studies Bulletin |volume=16 |issue=2 |page=9 |jstor=41805449 |issn=1065-7711 }}

In its first election Likud won 39 seats, reducing the Alignment's lead to 12.{{cite web |last1=Kaufman |first1=Karen |date=28 March 2019 |title=The Parties in Israel's 2019 Parliamentary Election |url=https://institute.global/advisory/parties-israels-2019-parliamentary-election |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807223608/https://institute.global/advisory/parties-israels-2019-parliamentary-election |archive-date=2020-08-07 |website=Tony Blair Institute for Global Change |quote=Likud was founded as a secular, centre-right party.}} The party went on to win the 1977 election with 43 seats, finishing 11 seats ahead of the Alignment. Menachem Begin formed a government with the support of the religious parties, consigning the left wing to opposition for the first time since independence.{{cite web |first=Benjamin |last=Kerstein |date=10 April 2019 |title=Israeli Elections Results: Likud Tied With Blue and White, But Right-Wing Bloc Remains Larger, Handing Netanyahu the Victory |url=https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/04/10/israeli-elections-results-likud-tied-with-blue-and-white-but-right-wing-bloc-remains-larger-handing-netanyahu-the-victory/ |access-date=24 September 2019 |work=Algemeiner Journal |archive-date=25 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190925042514/https://www.algemeiner.com/2019/04/10/israeli-elections-results-likud-tied-with-blue-and-white-but-right-wing-bloc-remains-larger-handing-netanyahu-the-victory/ |url-status=live }} A former leader of the hard-line paramilitary Irgun,{{cite news |last=Oren |first=Amir |date=7 July 2011 |title=British Documents Reveal: Begin Refused Entry to U.K. in 1950s |newspaper=Haaretz |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/british-documents-reveal-begin-refused-entry-to-u-k-in-1950s-1.371838 |access-date=25 November 2022 |archive-date=27 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151127032220/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/british-documents-reveal-begin-refused-entry-to-u-k-in-1950s-1.371838 |url-status=live }} Begin signed the 1978 Camp David Accords[http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace%20Process/Guide%20to%20the%20Peace%20Process/Camp%20David%20Accords "Camp David Accords"]. Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903011255/http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Peace%20Process/Guide%20to%20the%20Peace%20Process/Camp%20David%20Accords|date=3 September 2011}} and the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty.{{cite web |date=17 September 1978 |title=Israel and Egypt: Framework for peace in the Middle East agreed at Camp David |url=https://peacemaker.un.org/sites/peacemaker.un.org/files/EG%20IL_780917_Framework%20for%20peace%20in%20the%20MiddleEast%20agreed%20at%20Camp%20David.pdf |series=United Nations Treaty Series |website=UN Peacemaker |access-date=25 November 2022 |archive-date=7 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407030223/https://peacemaker.un.org/sites/peacemaker.un.org/files/EG%20IL_780917_Framework%20for%20peace%20in%20the%20MiddleEast%20agreed%20at%20Camp%20David.pdf |url-status=live }} In the 1981 election, the Likud won 48 seats, but formed a narrower government than in 1977.{{cite web |title=Likudnik |url=http://www.morfix.co.il/%D7%9C%D6%B4%D7%9B%D6%BC%D7%95%D6%BC%D7%93%D6%B0%D7%A0%D6%B4%D7%99%D7%A7 |access-date=25 April 2010 |publisher=Milon Morfix |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017073629/http://www.morfix.co.il/%D7%9C%D6%B4%D7%9B%D6%BC%D7%95%D6%BC%D7%93%D6%B0%D7%A0%D6%B4%D7%99%D7%A7 |url-status=live }}

Likud has long been a loose alliance between politicians committed to different and sometimes opposing policy preferences and ideologies.{{cite book |first=Ran |last=Hirschl |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=sv0nvGmUQHkC&pg=PA57 |title=Towards Juristocracy: The Origins and Consequences of the New Constitutionalism |publisher=Harvard University Press |year=2004 |isbn=978-0-674-03867-7 |pages=57, 58}}{{cite journal |first=Yaffa |last=Moskovich |year=2009 |title=Authoritarian Management Style in the Likud Party Under the Leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu |url=http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/ijls/new/vol4iss2/IJLS_Volume4_Issue2_2009.pdf |journal=International Journal of Leadership Studies |volume=4 |issue=2 |page=152 |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924085613/http://www.regent.edu/acad/global/publications/ijls/new/vol4iss2/IJLS_Volume4_Issue2_2009.pdf |url-status=live }} The 1981 election highlighted divisions that existed between the populist wing of Likud, headed by David Levy of Herut, and the Liberal wing,{{cite book |first=Robert Owen |last=Freedman |title=Israel in the Begin Era |publisher=Praeger |page=25 |quote=These divisions were especially underscored in the 1981 elections. During the Likud's first period in power there was a continuous conflict between the populist wing of the Likud, headed by David Levi of Herut, and the Liberal wing, along with... |author-link=Robert Freedman (political scientist)}} who represented a policy agenda of the secular bourgeoisie.

File:Menachem Begin, Andrews AFB, 1978.JPG]]

On 28 August 1983 Begin announced his intention to resign as prime minister.{{cite news |last1=Hart |first1=William |date=29 August 1983 |title=Jewish leaders cite many factors leading to Begin's resignation |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/97836595 |url-access=subscription |access-date=15 February 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |newspaper=Detroit Free Press |language=en |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216005358/http://www.newspapers.com/image/97836595/ |url-status=live }} He was replaced by Yitzhak Shamir, a former commander of the Lehi underground, who defeated Deputy Prime Minister David Levy in a leadership election held by Herut's central committee.{{Cite news |last=Shipler |first=David K. |date=1983-09-03 |title=Shamir Wins the Backing of Factions in the Coalition |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/03/world/shamir-wins-the-backing-of-factions-in-the-coalition.html |access-date=2022-11-03 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103004142/https://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/03/world/shamir-wins-the-backing-of-factions-in-the-coalition.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Brinkley |first=Joel |date=2012-06-30 |title=Yitzhak Shamir, Former Israeli Prime Minister, Dies at 96 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/world/middleeast/yitzhak-shamir-former-prime-minister-of-israel-dies-at-96.html |access-date=2022-11-03 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103004143/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/world/middleeast/yitzhak-shamir-former-prime-minister-of-israel-dies-at-96.html |url-status=live }} Shamir was seen as a hard-liner, who opposed the Camp David accords and Israel's withdrawal from Southern Lebanon.{{Cite news |last1=Friedman |first1=Thomas L. |date=1986-10-21 |title=Man in the News; Israel's Other Half: Yitzhak Shamir |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/21/world/man-in-the-news-israel-s-other-half-yitzhak-shamir.html |access-date=2022-11-03 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103004145/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/21/world/man-in-the-news-israel-s-other-half-yitzhak-shamir.html |url-status=live }} The party won 41 seats in the 1984 election, less than the Alignment's 44. The Alignment was unable to form a government on its own, leading to the formation of a rotation government, led jointly by the Alignment and Likud. Shimon Peres became the prime minister, with Shamir becoming the foreign minister.{{Cite web |script-title=he:בחירות 1984 |url=https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/elections/1984/ |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=Israel Democracy Institute |language=he |archive-date=25 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125132109/https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/elections/1984/ |url-status=live }} In October 1986, the two switched posts.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=1986-10-21 |title=Shamir cabinet sworn in, according to rotation |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/21/world/shamir-cabinet-sworn-in-according-to-rotation.html |access-date=2022-11-05 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105014411/https://www.nytimes.com/1986/10/21/world/shamir-cabinet-sworn-in-according-to-rotation.html |url-status=live }} The Likud won the 1988 election, defeating the Alignment by a one-seat Margin. The two parties formed another government, in which Shamir served as prime minister without a rotation.{{Cite web |script-title=he:בחירות 1988 |url=https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/elections/1988/ |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=Israel Democracy Institute |language=he |archive-date=25 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221125003826/https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/elections/1988/ |url-status=live }} In 1990 Peres withdrew from the government and led a successful vote of no confidence against it,{{Cite news |last=Brinkley |first=Joel |date=1990-03-16 |title=Cabinet Is Ousted In Israeli Dispute Over Peace Talks |work=The New York Times |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE1DB1F39F935A25750C0A966958260&scp=216&sq=peres+shamir&st=nyt |access-date=2008-06-12 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128105248/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/03/16/world/cabinet-is-ousted-in-israeli-dispute-over-peace-talks.html?scp=216&sq=peres+shamir&st=nyt |url-status=live }} in what became known as the dirty trick. Shamir formed a new government with right-wing parties, which served until the 1992 election, in which the Likud was defeated by Yitzhak Rabin's Labor Party.{{Cite web |script-title=he:בחירות 1992 |url=https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/elections/1992/ |access-date=2022-11-05 |website=Israel Democracy Institute |language=he |archive-date=24 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221124114522/https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/elections/1992/ |url-status=live }}

Shamir stepped down as Likud leader after losing the election in March 1993.{{Cite news |date=2012-06-30 |title=Obituary: former Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18661360 |access-date=2022-11-06 |archive-date=6 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180706163856/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-18661360 |url-status=live }} To replace him, the party held its first primary election,{{cite news |last1=LaBelle |first1=G. G. |date=25 Mar 1993 |title=Israel's Likud set to pick new leader |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/159303168 |url-access=subscription |access-date=8 July 2022 |via=Newspapers.com |newspaper=The News Journal |location=Wilmington, Delaware |language=en |agency=The Associated Press |archive-date=4 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221104070653/https://www.newspapers.com/image/159303168 |url-status=live }} in which former United Nations Ambassador Benjamin Netanyahu{{Cite web |title=Knesset Member Benjamin Netanyahu |url=https://main.knesset.gov.il/en/MK/APPS/mk/mk-public-activity-publications/90 |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=Knesset |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106001718/https://main.knesset.gov.il/en/MK/APPS/mk/mk-public-activity-publications/90 |url-status=live }} defeated David Levy, Benny Begin and Moshe Katsav, becoming the Leader of the Opposition.{{Cite news |last=Haberman |first=Clyde |date=1993-03-26 |title=Israel's Likud Passes Torch, Naming Netanyahu Leader |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/26/world/israel-s-likud-passes-torch-naming-netanyahu-leader.html |access-date=2022-11-06 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=6 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221106001719/https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/26/world/israel-s-likud-passes-torch-naming-netanyahu-leader.html |url-status=live }} In 1995, following the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, his temporary successor, decided to call early elections in order to give the government a mandate to advance the peace process.{{cite news |last=Kessel |first=Jerrold |date=11 February 1996 |title=Israeli elections will test support for peace |publisher=CNN |url=http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9602/israel_elex/02-11/index.html |access-date=10 March 2013 |archive-date=5 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005003749/http://edition.cnn.com/WORLD/9602/israel_elex/02-11/index.html |url-status=live }} The election was held in May 1996, and included a direct vote for the prime minister in which Netanyahu narrowly defeated Peres, becoming the new prime minister.{{Cite web |script-title=he:ראש הממשלה נתניהו. זוכרים? |url=http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART/977/618.html |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=Maariv nrg |archive-date=26 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026044634/http://www.nrg.co.il/online/1/ART/977/618.html |url-status=live }}

Image:Likud-Tzomet.png]]

In 1998 Netanyahu agreed to cede territory in the Wye River Memorandum, which led some Likud MKs, led by Benny Begin (Menachem Begin's son), Michael Kleiner and David Re'em, to break away and form a new party, named Herut – The National Movement. The new party was endorsed by Yitzhak Shamir, who expressed disappointment in Netanyahu's leadership.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=1999-03-25 |title=Shamir, Opposing Netanyahu, Takes Further Turn to Right |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/25/world/shamir-opposing-netanyahu-takes-further-turn-to-right.html |access-date=2023-02-19 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219162202/https://www.nytimes.com/1999/03/25/world/shamir-opposing-netanyahu-takes-further-turn-to-right.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2004-07-20 |title=Kleiner Promoting Alternative to 'Disengagement' in the US |url=https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/66029 |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Israel National News |language=en |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219162221/https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/66029 |url-status=live }} Following the withdrawal of his remaining partners, Netanyahu's coalition collapsed in December 1998, resulting in the 1999 election,{{Cite web |last=Wilkinson |first=Tracy |date=1998-12-22 |title=Lawmakers in Israel Dissolve Parliament |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-dec-22-mn-56594-story.html |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219162202/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1998-dec-22-mn-56594-story.html |url-status=live }} where Labor's Ehud Barak defeated Netanyahu on a platform promoting the settlement of final status issues. Following his defeat, Netanyahu stepped down as leader of Likud.{{Cite web |last=Laub |first=Karin |date=1999-05-18 |title=Barak Defeats Netanyahu in Israel |url=https://apnews.com/article/fbb2f0be79d018e91baf571c26d8f71e |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=AP News |language=en |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219162206/https://apnews.com/article/fbb2f0be79d018e91baf571c26d8f71e |url-status=live }} That September, former Defense Minister Ariel Sharon won a leadership election to replace Netanyahu, defeating Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert and former Finance Minister Meir Sheetrit.{{cite journal |last1=Kenig |first1=Ofer |title=Democratizing Party Leadership Selection in Israel: A Balance Sheet |journal=Israel Studies Forum |date=2009 |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=62–81 |jstor=41805011 |issn=1557-2455}}{{cite news |last1=Lavie |first1=Mark |date=September 3, 1999 |title=Ariel Sharon wins control of Likud party in Israel |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/179167902 |url-access=subscription |access-date=5 November 2022 |newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer |language=en |via=Newspapers.com |agency=The Associated Press |archive-date=5 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105181551/https://www.newspapers.com/image/179167902 |url-status=live }}

Barak's government collapsed in December 2000,{{Cite web |last=Bar-Gefen |first=Linoy |date=2000-12-10 |script-title=he:ברק הגיש בצהריים את התפטרותו |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-326048,00.html |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=ynet |language=he |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219162202/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-326048,00.html |url-status=live }} several months after the Camp David Summit ended without an agreement,{{cite web |date=25 July 2000 |title=Trilateral Statement on the Middle East Peace Summit at Camp David |url=http://2001-2009.state.gov/p/nea/rls/22698.htm |publisher=US Department of State |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=24 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024002324/http://2001-2009.state.gov/p/nea/rls/22698.htm |url-status=live }} and early elections for Prime Minister were called for February 2001, in which Sharon decisively defeated Barak.{{Cite news |last=Sontag |first=Deborah |date=2001-02-07 |title=The Sharon Victory: The Overview; Sharon Easily Ousts Barak To Become Israel's Premier; Calls For A Reconciliation |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/07/world/sharon-victory-overview-sharon-easily-ousts-barak-become-israel-s-premier-calls.html |access-date=2023-02-19 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=20 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120215448/https://www.nytimes.com/2001/02/07/world/sharon-victory-overview-sharon-easily-ousts-barak-become-israel-s-premier-calls.html |url-status=live }} In 2002 Netanyahu challenged Sharon in a leadership election, but was defeated.{{cite news |date=28 November 2002 |title=Sharon Beats Netanyahu in Likud Primary |publisher=Fox News Channel |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/sharon-beats-netanyahu-in-likud-primary |access-date=29 July 2009 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828161003/http://foxnews.com/story/0,2933,71685,00.html |archive-date=28 August 2008}}{{unreliable source?|reason=There is consensus that Fox News is an unreliable source for the reporting of politics|date=October 2023}} During Sharon's tenure, Likud faced an internal split due to Sharon's policy of unilateral disengagement from Gaza and parts of the West Bank, which proved extremely divisive within the party.{{Cite web |date=2005-09-05 |title=Early Election Likely To Follow Gaza Pullout |url=https://www.forbes.com/2005/09/05/sharon-netanyahu-likud-cx_0905_oxan_likud.html |access-date=2023-02-19 |website=Forbes |language=en |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219162203/https://www.forbes.com/2005/09/05/sharon-netanyahu-likud-cx_0905_oxan_likud.html |url-status=live }}

Sharon's Disengagement Plan alienated him from some Likud supporters and fragmented the party.{{Cite news |last=Myre |first=Greg |date=2004-05-28 |title=Facing Opposition, Sharon Plans Debate on Full Withdrawal |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/28/international/middleeast/facing-opposition-sharon-plans-debate-on-full.html |access-date=2023-02-19 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=19 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230219225702/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/28/international/middleeast/facing-opposition-sharon-plans-debate-on-full.html |url-status=live }} He faced several serious challenges to his authority shortly before his departure. The first was in March 2005, when he and Netanyahu, then his finance minister, proposed a budget plan that met fierce opposition from the opposition and parties to the Likud's right. The plan passed the Knesset's finance committee by a one-vote margin,{{Cite web |date=2005-03-25 |title=Sharon budget clears first hurdle |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/3/23/sharon-budget-clears-first-hurdle |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Al-Jazeera |language=en |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232116/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2005/3/23/sharon-budget-clears-first-hurdle |url-status=live }} before being approved by the Knesset by a wider margin later that month.{{Cite news |last= |date=2005-03-29 |script-title=he:הכנסת אישרה את תקציב המדינה לשנת 2005 |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3065290,00.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232145/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3065290,00.html |url-status=live }} The second was in September 2005, when Sharon's critics in the Likud, led by Netanyahu, forced a vote in the Likud's central committee on a proposal for an early leadership election, which was defeated by 52% to 48%.{{Cite news |last=Myre |first=Greg |date=2005-09-26 |title=Sharon Faces Leadership Vote Forced by Political Opponents |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/26/international/middleeast/sharon-faces-leadership-vote-forced-by-political.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232457/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/26/international/middleeast/sharon-faces-leadership-vote-forced-by-political.html |url-status=live }} In November, Sharon's opponents within the Likud joined with the opposition to prevent the appointment of three of his associates to the Cabinet, successfully preventing the appointment of two.{{Cite news |last1=Mualem |first1=Mazal |last2=Alon |first2=Gideon |date=2005-11-07 |script-title=he:שרון נכשל בכנסת , אולמרט אושר בנפרד |language=he |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/2005-11-07/ty-article/0000017f-dc11-d3ff-a7ff-fdb14a5e0000 |access-date=2023-02-21 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128105248/https://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/2005-11-07/ty-article/0000017f-dc11-d3ff-a7ff-fdb14a5e0000 |url-status=live }}

On 20 November 2005 Labor announced its withdrawal from Sharon's governing coalition following the election of the left-wing Amir Peretz as its leader.{{Cite news |last=Somfalvi |first=Attila |date=2005-11-20 |script-title=he:פרץ במרכז העבודה: "מי למהפך החברתי - אלי" |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3172057,00.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232149/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3172057,00.html |url-status=live }} On 21 November 2005, Sharon announced he would be leaving the Likud and forming a new centrist party, Kadima.{{Cite news |last1=Marciano |first1=Ilan |last2=Somfalvi |first2=Attila |date=2005-11-20 |script-title=he:שרון החליט לפרוש מהליכוד |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3172187,00.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232118/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3172187,00.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Sofer |first=Roni |date=2005-11-23 |script-title=he:רשמית: מפלגת שרון - "קדימה" - יצאה לדרך |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3174013,00.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232457/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3174013,00.html |url-status=live }} The new party included both Likud and Labor supporters of unilateral disengagement. Sharon also announced that an election would take place in early 2006. Seven candidates had declared themselves as contenders to replace Sharon as leader: Netanyahu,{{Cite news |last=Somfalvi |first=Attila |date=2005-11-27 |script-title=he:נתניהו פותח את הקמפיין להנהגת הליכוד |language=he |trans-title=Netanyahu begins campaign for leadership of the Likud |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3175717,00.html |access-date=2022-06-07 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232452/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3175717,00.html |url-status=live }} Uzi Landau,{{Cite news |last=Somfalvi |first=Attila |date=2005-08-09 |script-title=he:לנדאו הכריז על מועמדותו לראשות הליכוד |language=he |trans-title=Landau has announced his candidacy for the chairmanship of the Likud |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3124880,00.html |access-date=2022-06-07 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232143/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3124880,00.html |url-status=live }} Shaul Mofaz,{{Cite news |last=Somfalvi |first=Attila |date=2005-11-24 |script-title=he:מרכז הליכוד אישר: הפריימריז בחודש הבא |language=he |trans-title=The Likud's central committee has confirmed: Primaries will happen next month |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3174392,00.html |access-date=2022-06-07 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232452/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3174392,00.html |url-status=live }} Yisrael Katz,{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2005-12-11 |script-title=he:כץ על עזיבת מופז: "מכה לאמינות הפוליטיקאים" |language=he |trans-title=Katz on Mofaz's departure: "A blow to trust in politicians" |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3182577,00.html |access-date=2022-06-07 |last1=Ynet |first1=כתבי |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232141/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3182577,00.html |url-status=live }} Silvan Shalom and Moshe Feiglin.{{Cite news |last=Hasson |first=Miri |date=2005-11-30 |script-title=he:פייגלין הודיע שיתמודד בליכוד: "צריך מסורת" |language=he |trans-title=Feiglin announced he would run in the Likud: "Tradition is Needed" |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3177197,00.html |access-date=2022-06-07 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232556/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3177197,00.html |url-status=live }} Landau and Mofaz later withdrew, the former in favour of Netanyahu{{Cite news |last1=Marciano |first1=Ilan |last2=Somfalvi |first2=Attila |date=2005-12-05 |script-title=he:עוזי לנדאו פורש מהמירוץ, תומך בנתניהו |language=he |trans-title=Uzi Landau withdraws from race, supports Netanyahu |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3179491,00.html |access-date=2022-06-07 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308152021/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3179491,00.html |url-status=live }} and the latter to join Kadima.{{Cite news |last=Sofer |first=Roni |date=2005-12-11 |script-title=he:מופז עוזב את הליכוד, עובר לקדימה |language=he |trans-title=Mofaz leaves Likud, moves to Kadima |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3182561,00.html |access-date=2022-06-07 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308151759/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3182561,00.html |url-status=live }}

Netanyahu went on to win a leadership election to replace Sharon in December, obtaining 44.4% of the vote. Shalom came in a second with 33%, while far-right candidate Moshe Feiglin achieved 12.4% of the vote.{{Cite news |last1=Marciano |first1=Ilan |last2=Somfalvi |first2=Attila |date=2005-12-19 |script-title=he:נתניהו: נחזור להנהגה, כולנו הולכים קדימה |language=he |trans-title=Netanyahu: we will return to leadership, we are all moving forwards |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3186995,00.html |access-date=2022-06-08 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232613/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3186995,00.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |author=ToI Staff |title=Far-right ex-MK Feiglin dips feet back into Likud after failed solo Knesset run |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/far-right-ex-mk-feiglin-dips-feet-back-into-likud-after-failed-bid-to-go-solo/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225000213/https://www.timesofisrael.com/far-right-ex-mk-feiglin-dips-feet-back-into-likud-after-failed-bid-to-go-solo/ |url-status=live }} Due to Shalom's performance, Netanyahu guaranteed him the second place on the party's list of Knesset candidates.{{Cite web |last=Zohar |first=Avishay |date=2005-12-21 |script-title=he:נתניהו לשלום: אשריין לך את המקום השני |url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART1/023/085.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Makor Rishon |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221231956/https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART1/023/085.html |url-status=live }} Polls before the 2006 election showed a substantial reduction in the Likud's support, with Kadima achieving a dominant polling lead.{{Cite web |title=Netanyahu set for Sharon clash |date=December 19, 2005 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/19/likud.primaries/index.html |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=CNN |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225000213/https://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/19/likud.primaries/index.html |url-status=live }}

Image:Likudtruck.jpg in advance of the 2006 election]]

In January 2006 Sharon suffered a stroke that left him in a vegetative state, leading to his replacement as Kadima leader by Ehud Olmert,{{Cite news |last=Joffe |first=Lawrence |date=2014-01-11 |title=Ariel Sharon obituary |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/11/ariel-sharon |access-date=2023-02-24 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225000215/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/11/ariel-sharon |url-status=live }} who led Kadima to victory in the election, winning 29 seats. The Likud experienced a substantial loss in support, coming in fourth place and winning only 12, while other right-wing nationalist parties such as Yisrael Beiteinu, which came within 116 votes of overtaking Likud, gained votes.{{Cite web |title=בחירות 2006 |url=https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/elections/2006/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=www.idi.org.il |language=he |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308142748/https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/elections/2006/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |title=Every Vote Counts |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2013-01-18/ty-article/.premium/nehemia-shtrasler-every-vote-counts/0000017f-f367-d487-abff-f3ffd4ad0000 |access-date=2023-02-24 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128105400/https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2013-01-18/ty-article/.premium/nehemia-shtrasler-every-vote-counts/0000017f-f367-d487-abff-f3ffd4ad0000 |url-status=live }} After the election, Netanyahu was re-elected Likud Leader in 2007, defeating Feiglin and World Likud Chairman Danny Danon.{{Cite news |script-title=he:תוצאות סופיות בליכוד: נתניהו עם 73% הביס את פייגלין מהימין הקיצוני עם 23% |journal=TheMarker |url=https://www.themarker.com/career/1.454094 |access-date=2022-05-02 |archive-date=2 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502102639/https://www.themarker.com/career/1.454094 |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |script-title=he:סיכום פריימריס 2007 לפי אתר הצבעה |url=http://www.likud.org.il/files/wordocs/Prim_l.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928223317/http://www.likud.org.il/files/wordocs/Prim_l.pdf |archive-date=2007-09-28 |access-date=2022-04-30 |website=Likud |language=he}}

Following the opening of several criminal investigations against Olmert,{{Cite news |last=Kershner |first=Isabel |date=2008-07-31 |title=Olmert to Quit After Elections in September |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/world/middleeast/31mideast.html |access-date=2023-02-28 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530121645/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/world/middleeast/31mideast.html |url-status=live }} he resigned as prime minister on 21 September 2008 and retired from politics.{{Cite news |last=Madzini |first=Ronen |date=2008-09-21 |script-title=he:תם עידן: אולמרט הגיש מכתב התפטרות לנשיא |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3599974,00.html |access-date=2023-02-27 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000535/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3599974,00.html |url-status=live }} In the ensuing snap election, held in 2009, Likud won 27 seats, the second-largest number of seats and one seat less than Kadima, now led by Tzipi Livni. However, Likud's allies won enough seats to allow Netanyahu to form a government, which included Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, United Torah Judaism, The Jewish Home, and Labor.{{Cite web |title=2009 Israeli election |url=https://en.idi.org.il/israeli-elections-and-parties/elections/2009/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=Israel Democracy Institute |archive-date=1 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401015213/https://en.idi.org.il/israeli-elections-and-parties/elections/2009/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |script-title=he:בחירות 2009 {{!}} אביגדור ליברמן אמר את דברו: בנימין נתניהו יהיה ראש הממשלה הבא |language=he |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2009-02-19/ty-article/0000017f-e3af-d804-ad7f-f3ffd6de0000 |access-date=2023-02-28 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128105403/https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2009-02-19/ty-article/0000017f-e3af-d804-ad7f-f3ffd6de0000 |url-status=live }} Labor left the coalition in 2011 after party leader Ehud Barak left to form his own party, Independence, that remained a member of Netanyahu's government.{{Cite news |last=Somfalvi |first=Attila |date=2011-01-17 |script-title=he:אהוד ברק כתב: נמשיך את מסורת מפא"י |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4014698,00.html |access-date=2023-03-01 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308141134/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4014698,00.html |url-status=live }} The next year, Netanyahu was re-elected as Likud leader, defeating Moshe Feiglin.{{cite news |date=3 February 2012 |title=Netanyahu won the Likud battle, but he may lose the war |newspaper=Haaretz |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/netanyahu-won-the-likud-battle-but-he-may-lose-the-war-1.410721 |access-date=3 February 2012 |archive-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301182805/https://www.haaretz.com/1.5180842 |url-status=live }} Kadima then joined the coalition in May 2012 before leaving in July.{{Cite news |last1=Azulay |first1=Moran |last2=Somfalvi |first2=Attila |date=2012-07-17 |script-title=he:מופז פרש מהממשלה: "נתניהו בחר במשתמטים" |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4256776,00.html |access-date=2023-03-01 |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301004459/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4256776,00.html |url-status=live }} Following Kadima's withdrawal from the government and amid disagreements related to the 2013 budget, the Knesset was dissolved in October 2012 and a snap election was called for January 2013.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2012-10-16 |title=Israeli parliament dissolved ahead of early elections |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/16/israeli-parliament-dissolved-early-elections |access-date=2023-03-03 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307220007/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/16/israeli-parliament-dissolved-early-elections |url-status=live }}

Several days after the election was called on 25 October 2012, Netanyahu and Yisrael Beitenu leader Avigdor Lieberman announced that their respective political parties would run together on a single ballot in the election under the name Likud Yisrael Beiteinu.{{cite news |last=Leshem |first=Elie |title=Netanyahu, Liberman announce they'll run joint list for Knesset |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-announces-merger-with-israel-beytenu-promises-to-lead-with-strength/ |newspaper=The Times of Israel |access-date=27 October 2012 |archive-date=27 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027064830/http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-announces-merger-with-israel-beytenu-promises-to-lead-with-strength/ |url-status=live }} The move led to speculation that Lieberman would eventually seek the leadership of Likud after he stated that he "wanted to become the Prime Minister".{{cite news |date=26 October 2012 |title=Liberman: Every politician wants to become PM |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Liberman-Every-politician-wants-to-become-PM |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=11 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011154819/http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Liberman-Every-politician-wants-to-become-PM |url-status=live }} Several days before the election, Lieberman said the parties would not merge, and that their direct partnership would end after the election.{{cite news |last=Verter |first=Yossi |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/lieberman-yisrael-beiteinu-s-marriage-to-likud-ends-at-election.premium-1.492096 |title=Lieberman: Yisrael Beiteinu's marriage to Likud ends at election |newspaper=Haaretz |date=6 January 2013 |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017073629/http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/lieberman-yisrael-beiteinu-s-marriage-to-likud-ends-at-election.premium-1.492096 |url-status=live }} The partnership ultimately lasted until July 2014, when it officially dissolved.{{Cite web |last=Gur |first=Haviv Rettig |title=Liberman dissolves Likud-Beytenu Knesset partnership |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-yisrael-beytenu-to-sever-joint-knesset-list/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304000529/https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-yisrael-beytenu-to-sever-joint-knesset-list/ |url-status=live }}

In the 2013 elections the Likud–Yisrael Beiteinu alliance won 31 seats, 20 of which were Likud members.{{cite web |first=Edmund |last=Sanders |date=2013-02-02 |title=Netanyahu officially asked to put together new Israeli government |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-netanyahu-asked-to-put-together-new-government-20130202,0,2826558.story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203080225/http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-netanyahu-asked-to-put-together-new-government-20130202,0,2826558.story |archive-date=2013-02-03 |access-date=2017-02-27 |website=The Los Angeles Times}} The second largest party, Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid, won 19.{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2013-01-23 |script-title=he:תוצאות האמת: ליכוד 31, לפיד 19, עבודה רק 15 |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4335940,00.html |access-date=2023-03-03 |archive-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304000524/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4335940,00.html |url-status=live }} Netanyahu continued as prime minister after forming a coalition with Yesh Atid, the Jewish Home, and Hatnuah.{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Jewish Home, Yesh Atid ink coalition deal with Likud-Beytenu |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/with-no-time-to-spare-a-government-is-formed/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307215826/https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-no-time-to-spare-a-government-is-formed/ |url-status=live }} The government collapsed in December 2014 due to disagreements over the budget and the proposed Nation-state bill,{{Cite news |date=2 December 2014 |title=Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu fires 2 ministers, election likely |agency=CBC News |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel-s-benjamin-netanyahu-fires-2-ministers-election-likely-1.2857502 |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=4 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504164200/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel-s-benjamin-netanyahu-fires-2-ministers-election-likely-1.2857502 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-israel-politics-idUSKCN0JF1MR20141201 |title=Netanyahu says Israel could be headed to early election |work=Reuters |date=1 December 2014 |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307215820/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-israel-politics-idUSKCN0JF1MR20141201 |url-status=live }} triggering a snap election the next year.{{cite news |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-votes-unanimously-to-dissolve-ushering-in-new-elections/ |work=Knesset votes to dissolve, sets new elections for March 17 |title=Times of Israel |date=8 December 2014 |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516081133/https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-votes-unanimously-to-dissolve-ushering-in-new-elections/ |url-status=live }}

Likud won the 2015 election, defeating the Zionist Union, an alliance of Labor and Hatnuah, winning 30 seats to the Zionist Union's 24.{{Cite web |title=Netanyahu scores crushing victory in Israeli elections |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-claims-victory-as-vote-count-shows-likud-further-ahead/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307215826/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-claims-victory-as-vote-count-shows-likud-further-ahead/ |url-status=live }} The party subsequently formed a government with United Torah Judaism, Shas, Kulanu, and the Jewish Home.{{Cite news |last=Rudoren |first=Jodi |date=2015-05-06 |title=Netanyahu Forms an Israeli Government, With Minutes to Spare |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/07/world/middleeast/netanyahu-israel-coalition-government.html |access-date=2023-03-07 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307215805/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/07/world/middleeast/netanyahu-israel-coalition-government.html |url-status=live }} In May 2016, Yisrael Beitenu joined the government,{{Cite web |last=Liebermann |first=Oren |date=2016-05-25 |title=Israel's Netanyahu moves government further to the right |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/25/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-nationalist-party/index.html |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307215744/https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/25/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-nationalist-party/index.html |url-status=live }} before leaving in December 2018, causing Netanyahu to call a snap election for April 2019.{{Cite web |last=Wootliff |first=Raoul |title=20th Knesset officially dissolves, sets elections for April 9, 2019 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/20th-knesset-officially-dissolves-sets-elections-for-april-9-2019/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419001001/https://www.timesofisrael.com/20th-knesset-officially-dissolves-sets-elections-for-april-9-2019/ |url-status=live }}

During the course of the April 2019 Israeli legislative election campaign, Likud facilitated the formation of the Union of Right-Wing Parties between the Jewish Home, Tkuma and Otzma Yehudit by providing a slot on its own electoral list to Jewish Home candidate Eli Ben-Dahan.{{cite news|work=Haaretz|title=Top Posts for Merging With Kahanists: Netanyahu, Far-right Party Reach Deal|date=20 February 2019|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium-netanyahu-to-right-wing-party-merge-with-kahanists-and-get-key-portfolios-1.6956512|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110035831/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/elections/.premium-netanyahu-to-right-wing-party-merge-with-kahanists-and-get-key-portfolios-1.6956512|url-status=live}} In the aftermath of the election, Kulanu merged into Likud.{{cite web |last1=Newman |first1=Marissa |title=Likud okays merger with Kulanu, confirms Netanyahu as PM candidate |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-okays-merger-with-kulanu-confirms-netanyahu-as-pm-candidate/ |website=Times of Israel |access-date=9 November 2019 |archive-date=28 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528180405/https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-okays-merger-with-kulanu-confirms-netanyahu-as-pm-candidate/ |url-status=live }}

During the September 2019 Israeli legislative election campaign, Likud agreed to a deal with Zehut, whereby the latter party would drop out of the election and endorse Likud in exchange for a ministerial post for its leader, Moshe Feiglin, as well as policy concessions.{{cite news|work=The Jerusalem Post|title=Netanyahu promises Feiglin ministry so that Zehut Party ends race|date=29 August 2019|url=https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Netanyahu-promises-Zehuts-Feiglin-ministerial-position-in-government-600099|first=Gil|last=Hoffman|access-date=29 August 2019|archive-date=21 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210421155717/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/netanyahu-promises-zehuts-feiglin-ministerial-position-in-government-600099|url-status=live}}

Prior to the 2020 Israeli legislative election Gideon Sa'ar unsuccessfully challenged Netanyahu for the Likud leadership.{{cite web|last=Wootliff|first=Raoul|title=Netanyahu quashes Likud leadership challenge from Sa'ar with over 72%|work=The Times of Israel|date=27 December 2019|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-declares-victory-in-likud-primary-appears-headed-for-landslide-win/|access-date=9 January 2020|archive-date=29 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229065542/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-declares-victory-in-likud-primary-appears-headed-for-landslide-win/|url-status=live}} In December of that year, Sa'ar left Likud, along with four other Likud MKs, to form New Hope.{{cite news|work=Times of Israel|date=27 December 2020|title='He's dangerous': Ex-Likud MK who joined Sa'ar rules out gov't with Netanyahu|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-likud-mks-who-joined-saar-we-wont-enter-a-coalition-with-netanyahu/|access-date=11 February 2021|archive-date=27 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127145857/https://www.timesofisrael.com/former-likud-mks-who-joined-saar-we-wont-enter-a-coalition-with-netanyahu/|url-status=live}}

Prior to the 2021 Israeli legislative election, Gesher merged into Likud, receiving a slot on its electoral list.{{cite news|work=Israel Hayom|title=Likud edges up, Left bloc slumps in polls|date=8 February 2021|url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/02/08/likud-edges-up-left-bloc-slumps-in-polls/|access-date=11 February 2021|archive-date=19 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119233803/https://www.israelhayom.com/2021/02/08/likud-edges-up-left-bloc-slumps-in-polls/|url-status=live}} 2021 marked the first time that Likud put a Muslim on its slate, choosing Muslim school principal Nail Zoabi for 39th on its slate.{{Cite news |date=2021-02-04 |title=Netanyahu's Likud Names Muslim Candidate to Woo Israel's Arabs |language=en |work=Bloomberg.com |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-04/netanyahu-s-likud-names-muslim-candidate-to-woo-israel-s-arabs |access-date=2023-11-22 |archive-date=28 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228163852/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-04/netanyahu-s-likud-names-muslim-candidate-to-woo-israel-s-arabs |url-status=live }}

Likud also facilitated the formation of a joint list between the Religious Zionist Party, Otzma Yehudit and Noam by providing the Religious Zionist Party a slot on the Likud list.{{cite news|work=Jerusalem Post|title=Israel elections: Netanyahu pushes Kahanist into Knesset|date=3 February 2021|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-elections/israel-elections-netanyahu-pushes-kahanist-into-knesset-657724|access-date=11 February 2021|archive-date=3 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203190735/https://www.jpost.com/israel-elections/israel-elections-netanyahu-pushes-kahanist-into-knesset-657724|url-status=live}} On 14 June, after the swearing-in of the 36th government, Ofir Sofer who held the slot, split from the Likud faction and returned to the Religious Zionist Party, decreasing the Likud faction by one to 29 seats in the Knesset.{{cite news |title=Official: Ofir Sofer returns to the Religious Zionist Party |url=https://www.srugim.co.il/571778-%D7%A8%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%A1%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%A8-%D7%97%D7%95%D7%96%D7%A8-%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%A4%D7%9C%D7%92%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94 |work=Srugim |date=14 June 2021 |language=he |access-date=14 June 2021 |archive-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614162328/https://www.srugim.co.il/571778-%D7%A8%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%99%D7%AA-%D7%90%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%A8-%D7%A1%D7%95%D7%A4%D7%A8-%D7%97%D7%95%D7%96%D7%A8-%D7%9C%D7%9E%D7%A4%D7%9C%D7%92%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%A6%D7%99%D7%95%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Ophir Sofer returns, Yamina waiting for Shai Maimon |url=https://www.inn.co.il/news/495823 |work=Arutz 7 |date=14 June 2021 |language=he |access-date=14 June 2021 |archive-date=14 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614173033/https://www.inn.co.il/news/495823 |url-status=live }}

Likud won the most seats in the 2022 Israeli legislative election.{{cite news |last=Kingsley |first=Patrick |date=3 November 2022 |title=Lapid Concedes in Israel, Paving Way for Netanyahu's Return to Power |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/03/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-election.html |access-date=3 November 2022 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=3 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221103104740/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/03/world/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-election.html |url-status=live }}

{{Conservatism in Israel|Parties}}

Likud emphasizes national security policy based on a strong military force when threatened with continued enmity against Israel. It has shown reluctance to negotiate with its neighbors whom it believes continue to seek the destruction of the Jewish state, that based on the principle of the party founder Menachem Begin concerning the preventive policy to any potential attacks on State of Israel. Its suspicion of neighboring Arab nations' intentions, however, has not prevented the party from reaching agreements with Israel's neighbors, such as the 1979 peace treaty with Egypt. Likud's willingness to enter mutually accepted agreements with neighboring countries over the years is related to the formation of other right-wing parties. Like other right-wing parties in Israel, Likud politicians have sometimes criticized particular Supreme Court decisions, but it remains committed to rule of law principles that it hopes to entrench in a written constitution.

{{As of|2014}}, the party remains divided between moderates and hard-liners.{{cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c9c7032393144183ae9a0c98b2ee3518/israel-appears-road-early-elections |title=Israeli government crumbles; new election planned |author=Josef Federman |publisher=Associated Press |date=2014-12-02 |quote=Netanyahu's own Likud party is divided between more-centrist old timers and a young guard of hard-line ideologues. |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=28 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128112113/http://bigstory.ap.org/article/c9c7032393144183ae9a0c98b2ee3518/israel-appears-road-early-elections }}

Likud is considered to be the leading party in the national camp in Israeli politics.{{cite book|publisher=Taylor & Francis|title=The Elections in Israel 2015|page=77|year=2017|first=Michal|last=Shamir}}

The original 1977 party platform stated that "between the Sea and the Jordan there will only be Israeli sovereignty."{{cite web | url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/original-party-platform-of-the-likud-party | title=Original Party Platform of the Likud Party | access-date=15 November 2023 | archive-date=15 November 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231115202508/https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/original-party-platform-of-the-likud-party | url-status=live }}{{Cite web |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/11/09/1211671117/how-interpretations-of-the-phrase-from-the-river-to-the-sea-made-it-so-divisive |title=Archived copy |website=NPR |access-date=15 November 2023 |archive-date=11 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111164640/https://www.npr.org/2023/11/09/1211671117/how-interpretations-of-the-phrase-from-the-river-to-the-sea-made-it-so-divisive |url-status=live }}

The 1999 Likud Party platform emphasized the right of settlement:

{{blockquote|The Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza are the realization of Zionist values. Settlement of the land is a clear expression of the unassailable right of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel and constitutes an important asset in the defense of the vital interests of the State of Israel. The Likud will continue to strengthen and develop these communities and will prevent their uprooting.{{cite web| title = Likud – Platform| publisher=knesset.gov.il| url = https://www.knesset.gov.il/elections/knesset15/elikud_m.htm| access-date = 2008-09-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930181442/https://www.knesset.gov.il/elections/knesset15/elikud_m.htm|archive-date=2007-09-30}}}}

Similarly, they claim the Jordan River as the permanent eastern border to Israel and it also claims Jerusalem as belonging to Israel.

The 'Peace & Security' chapter of the 1999 Likud Party platform rejects a Palestinian state:

{{blockquote|The Government of Israel flatly rejects the establishment of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river. The Palestinians can run their lives freely in the framework of self-rule, but not as an independent and sovereign state. Thus, for example, in matters of foreign affairs, security, immigration, and ecology, their activity shall be limited in accordance with imperatives of Israel's existence, security and national needs.}}

With Likud back in power, starting in 2009, Israeli foreign policy is still under review. Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu, in his "National Security" platform, neither endorsed nor ruled out the idea of a Palestinian state.{{cite web|url=http://en.netanyahu.org.il/Themes-of/security/ |title=Benjamin Netanyahu – National Security |publisher=En.netanyahu.org.il |access-date=2010-04-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329092340/http://en.netanyahu.org.il/Themes-of/security/ |archive-date=29 March 2010 }} According to Time, "Netanyahu has hinted that he does not oppose the creation of a Palestinian state, but aides say he must move cautiously because his religious-nationalist coalition partners refuse to give away land."{{cite magazine |url=http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1896731,00.html?iid=tsmodule |title=Israel's Netanyahu: Taking a Turn Toward Pragmatism? |last=McGirk |first=Tim |date=18 May 2009 |magazine=Time |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017073628/http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1896731,00.html?iid=tsmodule |url-status=live }}

On 14 June 2009, Netanyahu delivered a speech{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/full-text-of-netanyahu-s-foreign-policy-speech-at-bar-ilan-1.277922 |title=Full text of Netanyahu's foreign policy speech at Bar Ilan |newspaper=Haaretz |date=2009-06-14 |access-date=2013-01-20 |archive-date=1 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180101042731/https://www.haaretz.com/news/full-text-of-netanyahu-s-foreign-policy-speech-at-bar-ilan-1.277922 |url-status=live }} at Bar-Ilan University (also known as "Bar-Ilan Speech"), at Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies, that was broadcast live in Israel and across parts of the Arab world, on the topic of the Middle East peace process. He endorsed for the first time the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel, with several conditions.

However, on 16 March 2015, Netanyahu stated in the affirmative, that if he were elected, a Palestinian state would not be created.{{cite news |author=Barak Ravid |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel-election-2015/1.647212 |title=Netanyahu: If I'm elected, there will be no Palestinian state |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=2015-03-19 |archive-date=20 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150320075022/http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel-election-2015/1.647212 |url-status=live }} Netanyahu argued, "anyone who goes to create today a Palestinian state and turns over land, is turning over land that will be used as a launching ground for attacks by Islamist extremists against the State of Israel." Some take these statements to mean that Netanyahu and Likud oppose a Palestinian state. After having been criticised by U.S. White House Spokesperson Josh Earnest for the "divisive rhetoric" of his election campaign, on 19 March 2015, Netanyahu retreated to "I don't want a one-state solution. I want a peaceful, sustainable two-state solution. I have not changed my policy."{{cite news |author=Harriet Salem |date=19 March 2015 |url=https://news.vice.com/article/us-says-it-will-re-evaluate-approach-to-israeli-palestinian-conflict-after-netanyahu-election-win |title=Netanyahu Backtracks on Election Pledge to Refuse a Two-State Solution After Sharp Words from the US |publisher=Vice News |access-date=2015-04-27 |archive-date=13 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713152617/https://news.vice.com/article/us-says-it-will-re-evaluate-approach-to-israeli-palestinian-conflict-after-netanyahu-election-win |url-status=live }}

The Likud Constitution{{cite web |url=http://www.likud.org.il/images/huka/hukalikud080514.pdf |script-title=he:הליכוד תנועה לאומית ליברלית: חוקת התנועה |language=he |website=Likud.org.il |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=17 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140817050548/http://www.likud.org.il/images/huka/hukalikud080514.pdf |url-status=live }} of May 2014 is more vague and ambiguous. Though it contains commitments to the strengthening of Jewish settlement in the West Bank, it does not explicitly rule out the establishment of a Palestinian state.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

The Likud party claims to support a free market capitalist and liberal agenda, though, in practice, it has mostly adopted mixed economic policies. Under the guidance of finance minister and current party leader Benjamin Netanyahu, Likud pushed through legislation reducing value added tax (VAT), income and corporate taxes significantly, as well as customs duty. Likewise, it has instituted free trade (especially with the European Union and the United States) and dismantled certain monopolies (Bezeq and the seaports). Additionally, it has privatized numerous government-owned companies (e.g. El Al and Bank Leumi), and has moved to privatize land in Israel, which until now has been held symbolically by the state in the name of the Jewish people. Netanyahu was the most ardent free-market Israeli finance minister to date. He argued that Israel's largest labor union, the Histadrut, has so much power as to be capable of paralyzing the Israeli economy, and claimed that the main causes of unemployment are laziness and excessive benefits to the unemployed.{{Citation needed|date=November 2008}} Under Netanyahu, Likud has and is likely to maintain a comparatively fiscally conservative economic stance. However, the party's economic policies vary widely among members, with some Likud MKs supporting more leftist economic positions that are more in line with popular preferences.{{cite news|title=MK Regev calls for 80% tax on top earners |newspaper=Globes |date=23 May 2010 |url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000561032 |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701081041/http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-1000561032 |archive-date= 1 July 2015 }}

Likud has historically espoused opposition to Palestinian statehood and support of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, it has also been the party that carried out the first peace agreements with Arab states. For instance, in 1979, Likud prime minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David Accords with Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat, which returned the Sinai Peninsula (occupied by Israel in the Six-Day War of 1967) to Egypt in return for peace between the two countries. Yitzhak Shamir was the first Israeli prime minister to meet Palestinian leaders at the Madrid Conference following the Persian Gulf War in 1991. However, Shamir refused to concede the idea of a Palestinian state, and as a result was blamed by some (including United States Secretary of State James Baker) for the failure of the summit.{{Cite news |last=Goshko |first=John |date=June 13, 1990 |title=BAKER SAYS ISRAEL MUST COMPROMISE: SECRETARY WARNS OF HALT IN EFFORT TO REVIVE MIDEAST PEACE PROCESS |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1990/06/14/baker-says-israel-must-compromise/49371de6-8137-48cb-996f-9af3177c2d63/ |url-status=live |access-date=February 4, 2025 |work=The Washington Post}} On 14 June 2009, as Prime Minister Netanyahu gave a speech at Bar-Ilan University in which he endorsed a "Demilitarized Palestinian State", though said that Jerusalem must remain the unified capital of Israel.{{Cite news |last=Kershner |first=Isabel |date=2009-06-14 |title=Netanyahu Backs Palestinian State, With Caveats |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/world/middleeast/15mideast.html |access-date=2025-02-05 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}

In 2002, during the Second Intifada, Israel's Likud-led government reoccupied Palestinian towns and refugee camps in the West Bank. In 2005 Ariel Sharon defied the recent tendencies of Likud and abandoned the policy of seeking to settle in the West Bank and Gaza. Though re-elected Prime Minister on a platform of no unilateral withdrawals, Sharon carried out the Gaza disengagement plan, withdrawing from the Gaza Strip, as well as four settlements in the northern West Bank. Though losing a referendum among Likud registered voters, Sharon achieved government approval of this policy by firing most of the cabinet members who opposed the plan before the vote.{{Cite web |title=Israel’s Disengagement Plan: Conception and Implementation |url=https://www.iemed.org/publication/israels-disengagement-plan-conception-and-implementation/ |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=www.iemed.org |language=en-US}}

Sharon and the faction who supported his disengagement proposals left the Likud party after the disengagement and created the new Kadima party. This new party supported unilateral disengagement from most of the West Bank and the fixing of borders by the Israeli West Bank barrier. The basic premise of the policy was that the Israelis have no viable negotiating partner on the Palestinian side, and since they cannot remain in indefinite occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, Israel should unilaterally withdraw.{{Cite journal |last=Geist Pinfold |first=Rob |date=2023-02-01 |title=Security, Terrorism, and Territorial Withdrawal: Critically Reassessing the Lessons of Israel's “Unilateral Disengagement” from the Gaza Strip |url=https://academic.oup.com/isp/article/24/1/67/6762979 |journal=International Studies Perspectives |volume=24 |issue=1 |pages=67–87 |doi=10.1093/isp/ekac013 |issn=1528-3577|doi-access=free }}

Netanyahu, who was elected as the new leader of Likud after Kadima's creation, and Silvan Shalom, the runner-up, both supported the disengagement plan;{{cite news|url=http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-789560 |title=Shalom supports disengagement plan |newspaper=Globes |date=19 April 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150701082429/http://www.globes.co.il/en/article-789560 |archive-date= 1 July 2015 }}{{cite news |first=Mazal |last=Mualem |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-livnat-support-sharon-s-disengagement-plan-1.120041 |title=Netanyahu, Livnat support Sharon's disengagement plan |newspaper=Haaretz |date=19 April 2004 |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924225234/http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/netanyahu-livnat-support-sharon-s-disengagement-plan-1.120041 |url-status=live }} however, Netanyahu resigned his ministerial post before the plan was executed. As of 2018, most Likud members supported the Jewish settlements in the West Bank and opposed Palestinian statehood and the disengagement from Gaza.{{Cite web |last=Ben Zion |first=Ilan |date=2018-01-01 |title=Israel's Likud party members call for annexing settlements |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-international-news-d28bc075595745d49714ca0a4f29bcc2 |access-date=2025-02-05 |website=AP News |language=en}}

{{Quote box|width=290px|align=right|quote=Anyone who wants to thwart the establishment of a Palestinian state has to support bolstering Hamas and transferring money to Hamas. This is part of our strategy – to isolate the Palestinians in Gaza from the Palestinians in the West Bank.|source=Benjamin Netanyahu, 2019{{cite news |last1=Beauchamp |first1=Zack |title=Benjamin Netanyahu failed Israel |url=https://www.vox.com/23910085/netanyahu-israel-right-hamas-gaza-war-history |work=Vox |date=9 October 2023 |access-date=15 October 2023 |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010010626/https://www.vox.com/23910085/netanyahu-israel-right-hamas-gaza-war-history |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Shumsky |first1=Dmitry |title=Why Did Netanyahu Want to Strengthen Hamas? |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-11/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-needed-a-strong-hamas/0000018b-1e9f-d47b-a7fb-bfdfd8f30000 |work=Haaretz |date=11 October 2023 |access-date=15 October 2023 |archive-date=15 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015020543/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-10-11/ty-article/.premium/netanyahu-needed-a-strong-hamas/0000018b-1e9f-d47b-a7fb-bfdfd8f30000 |url-status=live }}}}

Although settlement activity has continued under recent Likud governments, much of the activity outside the major settlement blocs has been to accommodate the Jewish Home, a coalition partner; support within Likud to build outside the blocs is not particularly strong.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/19/world/middleeast/netanyahu-israel-election-government.html |title=Win in Israel Sets Netanyahu on Path to Rebuild and Redefine Government |newspaper=The New York Times |date=18 March 2015 |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=17 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150717050408/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/19/world/middleeast/netanyahu-israel-election-government.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/12/world/middleeast/netanyahu-west-bank-settlements-israel-election.html |title=Netanyahu and the Settlements |first1=Jodi |last1=Rudoren |first2=Jeremy |last2=Ashkenas |author2-link=Jeremy Ashkenas |newspaper=The New York Times |date=12 March 2015 |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=13 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213053804/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/03/12/world/middleeast/netanyahu-west-bank-settlements-israel-election.html |url-status=live }}

Likud, under Netanyahu, is alleged to have intentionally propped up the rule of Hamas in Gaza as a means of dividing the Palestinians politically and using Palestinian extremism drawing the peace process away from a two-state solution.

In the 2019 elections Likud was widely criticized as a "racist party" after scaremongering anti-Arab rhetoric by its members as well as Netanyahu who claimed minority Arabs and Palestinians in Israel as "threats" and "enemies".{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/24/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-otzma-yehudit-jewish-power.html |title=Netanyahu Sparks Outrage Over Pact With Racist Party |work=The New York Times |first=David M. |last=Halbfinger |date=February 24, 2019 |url-access=subscription |access-date=24 October 2023 |archive-date=25 February 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225033056/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/24/world/middleeast/benjamin-netanyahu-otzma-yehudit-jewish-power.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/18/arab-turnout-in-israel-election-rises-despite-racist-campaigns |title=Arab turnout in Israel election rises despite racist campaigns |work=The Guardian |first=Oliver |last=Holmes |date=18 September 2019 |access-date=24 October 2023 |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206022154/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/sep/18/arab-turnout-in-israel-election-rises-despite-racist-campaigns |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=33e776a5-0c37-46da-98da-b3546085ef6d |title=Netanyahu ramps up anti-Arab rhetoric |work=The Los Angeles Times |access-date=24 October 2023 |first=Noga |last=Tarnopolsky |date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128105907/https://enewspaper.latimes.com/infinity/article_share.aspx?guid=33e776a5-0c37-46da-98da-b3546085ef6d |url-status=live }}

Image:Zeev Jabotinsky.jpg]]

Likud generally advocates free enterprise and nationalism, but it has sometimes compromised these ideals in practice, especially as its constituency has changed. Its support for populist economic programs are at odds with its free enterprise tradition, but are meant to serve its largely nationalistic, lower-income voters in small towns and urban neighborhoods.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=if5Yvv65PGgC&pg=PA65 |title=Coping with Terror: An Israeli Perspective |first=Ira |last=Sharkansy |publisher=Lexington |year=2003 |page=65 |isbn=978-0-7391-0684-6}}{{cite web |url=http://en.idi.org.il/tools-and-data/israeli-elections-and-parties/political-parties/likud |title=Israeli Elections and Parties: Likud |publisher=The Israel Democracy Institute |access-date=2014-05-11 |archive-date=4 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904053244/http://en.idi.org.il/tools-and-data/israeli-elections-and-parties/political-parties/likud/ |url-status=live }}

On religion and state, Likud has a moderate stance, and supports the preservation of status quo. With time, the party has played into the traditional sympathies of its voter base, though the origins and ideology of Likud are secular.{{cite book |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2PYTmFwQxcC&pg=PA191 |title=Jews in Israel: Contemporary Social and Cultural Patterns |first=Asher |last=Arian |editor1-first=Uzi |editor1-last=Rebhun |editor2-first=Chaim Isaac |editor2-last=Waxman |editor2-link=Chaim I. Waxman |chapter=Chapter Seven: Elections and Voting Patterns |publisher=University Press of New England |page=191 |series=Tauber Institute for the Study of European Jewry series |year=2004 |isbn= 978-1-58465-327-1 |access-date=30 June 2015}} Religious parties have come to view it as a more comfortable coalition partner than Labor.

Likud promotes a revival of Jewish culture, in keeping with the principles of Revisionist Zionism. Likud emphasizes such Israeli nationalist themes as the use of the Israeli flag and the victory in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. In July 2018, Likud lawmakers voted a controversial Nation-State bill into law which declares Israel as the "nation-state of the Jewish people".{{cite web |title=Knesset passes Jewish nation-state bill into law |url=https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/News/PressReleases/Pages/Pr13979_pg.aspx |publisher=Knesset |access-date=2 April 2020 |archive-date=19 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119145221/https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/News/PressReleases/Pages/Pr13979_pg.aspx |url-status=live }}{{Cite web|url=https://knesset.gov.il/spokesman/eng/PR_eng.asp?PRID=13520|title=Press Releases from the Knesset|publisher=Knesset|access-date=2 April 2020|archive-date=28 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228090330/https://knesset.gov.il/spokesman/eng/PR_eng.asp?PRID=13520|url-status=live}}

Likud publicly endorses press freedom and promotion of private sector media, which has grown markedly under governments Likud has led. A Likud government headed by Ariel Sharon, however, closed the popular right-wing pirate radio station Arutz Sheva ("Channel 7"). Arutz Sheva was popular with the Jewish settler movement and often criticised the government from a right-wing perspective.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

Historically, the Likud and its pre-1948 predecessor, the Revisionist movement advocated secular nationalism. However, the Likud's first prime minister and long-time leader Menachem Begin, though secular himself, cultivated a warm attitude to Jewish tradition and appreciation for traditionally religious Jews—especially from North Africa and the Middle East. This segment of the Israeli population first brought the Likud to power in 1977. Many Orthodox Israelis find the Likud a more congenial party than any other mainstream party, and in recent years also a large group of Haredim, mostly modern Haredim, joined the party and established the Haredi faction in the Likud.{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}}

Since the 1990s, Likud has advocated a hardline stance against Iran and its proxy militias such as the Lebanese Hezbollah.{{Citation |last=Parsi |first=Trita |title=Treacherous Alliance |chapter=16 With Likud, the Periphery Doctrine Returns |date=2008-10-28 |pages=190–201 |chapter-url=https://www.degruyter.com/document/doi/10.12987/9780300138061-018/html |access-date=2024-08-13 |publisher=Yale University Press |language=en |doi=10.12987/9780300138061-018 |isbn=978-0-300-13806-1}}{{cite web | url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/iran-eastern-states/1645464144-exclusive-netanyahu-urges-overwhelming-pressure-to-stop-iran | title=I24NEWS | date=21 February 2022 }}

Likud prime ministers Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu have typically pursued improved relations with Russia, with Likud using posters of Netanyahu meeting Russian president Vladimir Putin during its September 2019 Israeli legislative election campaign.{{Cite web |title=Why Israel Has Been Slow to Support Ukraine {{!}} Council on Foreign Relations |url=https://www.cfr.org/article/why-israel-has-been-slow-support-ukraine |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=www.cfr.org |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2019-07-28 |title=Likud adorns HQ with Trump, Putin, Modi |url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/likud-adorns-hq-with-trump-putin-modi-597009 |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=The Jerusalem Post {{!}} JPost.com |language=en}} However, since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Likud has been divided, with party leader Netanyahu seeking to maintain working relations with Russia and avoid involvement in the conflict,{{Cite web |title=Netanyahu blames PM for Russia 'crisis'; Lapid: You haven't bothered to get updates |website=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-blames-pm-for-russia-crisis-lapid-you-havent-bothered-to-get-updates/ |access-date=2024-08-13}}{{Cite web |title=Netanyahu tells government to be quiet on Russia and focus on Iran |website=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-tells-government-to-be-quiet-on-russia-and-focus-on-iran/ |access-date=2024-08-13}} while some MKs, such as Nir Barkat and Yuli Edelstein, have advocated closer alignment with the West against Russia and support for Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian war.{{Cite web |last=Rod |first=Marc |date=2022-03-18 |title=Likud's Nir Barkat: Israel shouldn't be mediating Russia-Ukraine war |url=https://jewishinsider.com/2022/03/likuds-nir-barkat-israel-shouldnt-be-mediating-russia-ukraine-war/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=Jewish Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Likud, opposition MKs urge upped support for Ukraine, including missile defense |website=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-opposition-mks-urge-upped-support-for-ukraine-including-missile-defense/ |access-date=2024-08-13}}

The Likud government during the 2010s advocated closer ties with Japan, China and India, in order to reduce Israel's dependency on Western Europe.{{Citation |last=Horesh |first=Niv |title=Does Likud Have a "Look East" Option? |date=2016 |work=Toward Well-Oiled Relations? China’s Presence in the Middle East Following the Arab Spring |pages=125–147 |editor-last=Horesh |editor-first=Niv |url=https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137539793_9 |access-date=2024-08-13 |place=London |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan UK |language=en |doi=10.1057/9781137539793_9 |isbn=978-1-137-53979-3}} In 2017 Netanyahu described closer Israeli alignment with China as a "marriage made in heaven".{{Cite web |last=Tiezzi |first=Shannon |title=Israel and China a 'Marriage Made in Heaven,' Says Netanyahu |url=https://thediplomat.com/2017/03/israel-and-china-a-marriage-made-in-heaven-says-netanyahu/ |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=thediplomat.com |language=en-US}} Likud has also maintained connections with the ruling political party in India, the Bharatiya Janata Party.{{Cite news |last=Bhattacherjee |first=Kallol |date=2024-05-01 |title=Israel's Likud among foreign parties invited by BJP to witness election |url=https://www.thehindu.com/elections/lok-sabha/israels-likud-among-foreign-parties-invited-by-bjp-to-witness-election/article68129332.ece |access-date=2024-08-13 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}

Likud governments have pursued close ties with the Republican Party in the United States, leading to a perception of preference for the Republicans over the rival Democratic Party.{{Cite web |title='Netanyahu is essentially an Israeli Republican' |website=Politico |date=15 August 2019 |url=https://www.politico.com/story/2019/08/15/israel-trump-netanyahu-1465917 |access-date=2024-08-13}}{{Cite web |last=Brownstein |first=Ronald |date=2024-05-07 |title=Analysis: Biden faces widening partisan split over Israel {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/05/06/politics/biden-israel-partisan-split-analysis/index.html |access-date=2024-08-13 |website=CNN |language=en}} In 2015 Netanyahu delivered an address to the Republican-held United States Congress without consulting the Democratic presidential administration at the time.{{Cite news |last=McGreal |first=Chris |date=2015-02-24 |title=How Netanyahu's speech to Congress has jeopardised US-Israel relations |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/feb/24/obama-binyamin-netanyahu-congress-speech-boehner-leaks |access-date=2024-08-13 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

The NATO bombing of Yugoslavia in 1999 drew criticism from the Likud foreign minister Ariel Sharon, who described it as "brutal interventionism".[https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/fisk/ariel-sharon-by-robert-fisk-521809.html Ariel Sharon... by Robert Fisk] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150926002449/http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/commentators/fisk/ariel-sharon-by-robert-fisk-521809.html |date=26 September 2015 }} Friday 6 January 2006, The Independent Relations between Serbia and Israel improved during the Netanyahu-led Likud government of the 2010s.{{cite news|work=Haaretz|url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2014-12-22/ty-article/.premium/as-if-serbia-never-did-anything-wrong/0000017f-e142-d38f-a57f-e752dac00000|title=Serbian-Israeli Relations Flourish, as if the 1990s Never Happened|date=22 December 2014}} Likud has had long-term political ties to the Hungarian ruling party Fidesz, which has led to warm diplomatic relations between Netanyahu's Likud governments and the Hungarian governments of Viktor Orbán.{{cite news|work=Balkan Insight|url=https://balkaninsight.com/2023/11/14/the-roots-of-orbans-strong-bond-with-israel-and-its-pm/|title=The Roots of Orban's Strong Bond with Israel and its PM|date=14 November 2023}}

In recent years, Likud has cultivated ties with European right-wing populist political parties, including the Spanish Vox,{{cite news|work=Anadolu Agency|url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/spains-far-right-party-visits-israel-strengthens-ties-with-likud/3073825|title=Spain's far-right party visits Israel, strengthens ties with Likud|date=12 May 2023}}{{cite news|work=The Forward|title=Israeli minister addresses convention hosted by Vox, Spanish far-right party criticized for neo-Nazi ties|date=19 May 2024|url=https://forward.com/fast-forward/614644/israeli-minister-addresses-convention-hosted-by-vox-spanish-far-right-party-criticized-for-neo-nazi-ties/}} the Italian Lega,{{cite news|work=Repubblica|title=Salvini prepara il suo cantiere nero per sorpassare Meloni in Europa|date=11 October 2023|url=https://www.repubblica.it/politica/2023/10/11/news/salvini_coalizione_meloni_europa-417476877/}} the Portuguese Chega,{{cite news|work=Expresso|title=Salvini (esperado) e partido de Netanyahu (surpresa) foram apoiar Ventura. PSD cancelou e IL também mudou de ideias (sem explicar porquê)|date=30 May 2021|url=https://expresso.pt/politica/2021-05-30-Salvini--esperado--e-partido-de-Netanyahu--surpresa--foram-apoiar-Ventura.-PSD-cancelou-e-IL-tambem-mudou-de-ideias--sem-explicar-porque--bb1f68c2}} the Dutch Party for Freedom,{{cite news|work=Jerusalem Post|title=Likud sends support to anti-Islam Wilders while courting Islamists at home

|date=18 April 2021|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/likud-sends-support-to-anti-islam-wilders-while-courting-islamists-at-home-665527}} the French National Rally,{{cite news|work=The Media Line|title=Diaspora Affairs Minister Chikli Stands by Praise for France's Le Pen – Exclusive|date=7 October 2024|url=https://themedialine.org/top-stories/diaspora-affairs-minister-chikli-stands-by-praise-for-frances-le-pen-exclusive/}}{{cite news|work=Al Jazeera|title=France's Macron slams Israeli minister's backing of Marine Le Pen|date=10 July 2024|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/10/frances-macron-slams-israeli-ministers-backing-of-marine-le-pen}} the Sweden Democrats,{{cite news|work=Israel Hayom|title=Seizing on pro-Israel stance, Likud poised to move closer to far-Right parties in Europe|date=12 June 2023|url=https://www.israelhayom.com/2023/06/12/seizing-on-pro-israel-stance-likud-poised-to-mover-closer-to-far-right-parties-in-europe/}}{{cite news|work=JNS|title=Likud poised to end boycott of Swedish nationalist party|date=13 June 2023|url=https://www.jns.org/israel-news/likud-party/23/6/13/294664/}} the Danish People's Party,{{cite news|work=Jerusalem Post|title=Likud aims to build ties with conservative parties abroad|date=7 September 2015|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/likud-aims-to-build-ties-with-conservative-parties-abroad-415538}} the Alliance for the Union of Romanians{{cite news|work=Haaretz|title=Israeli Pivot Toward European Far Right Pushed by Likud Lawmaker|date=4 August 2023|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2023-08-04/ty-article/.premium/israeli-pivot-toward-european-far-right-pushed-by-likud-lawmaker/00000189-bcc0-d821-afdd-bfe4ae180000}} and the Belgian Vlaams Belang.{{cite news|url=https://m.spiegel.de/international/europe/the-likud-connection-europe-s-right-wing-populists-find-allies-in-israel-a-777175.html|title=The Likud Connection: Europe's Right-Wing Populists Find Allies in Israel – SPIEGEL ONLINE|newspaper=Der Spiegel|date=29 July 2011|last1=Hawley|first1=Charles}}{{cite news|work=Haaretz|title=Boycotted by Jews in Belgium, Welcomed by Likud Deputy Minister in Israel|date=30 March 2014|url=https://www.haaretz.com/2014-03-30/ty-article/.premium/likud-official-welcomes-anti-semitic-belgian/0000017f-dc3b-df62-a9ff-dcff4f1a0000}}

{| class=wikitable

! colspan=2| Name

! Ideology

! Position

! Leader

|-

|bgcolor={{party color|Herut}}|

|Herut (1973–1988)

|{{ubli|Revisionist Zionism}}

|Right-wing

|{{ubl|Menachem Begin (1949–1983)|Yitzhak Shamir (1983–1988)}}

|-

|bgcolor={{party color|Liberal Party (Israel)}}|

|Liberal (1973–88)

|{{ubl|Liberalism|Centrism}}

|Centre-right

|{{ubl|Elimelekh Rimalt (1972–1975) | Simcha Erlich (1976–1983) | Pinchas Goldstein (1983–1988)}}

|-

|bgcolor={{party color|National List}}|

|National List
(1973–1976; 1981)

|{{ubli|Zionism|Social liberalism}}

|Centre

|{{ubl|Yigal Hurvitz (1970–1976)|Yitzhak Peretz (1981)}}

|-

|bgcolor=#0058D5|

|Free Centre
(1973–1977)

|{{ubli|Zionism|Liberal conservatism}}

|Right-wing

|Shmuel Tamir (1967–1977)

|-

|bgcolor=#3D7BD3|

|Independent Centre
(1975–76)

|{{ubli|Zionism|Liberal conservatism}}

|Right-wing

|Eliezer Shostak (1975–76)

|-

|bgcolor=#2E2D6F|

|Movement for Greater Israel
(1973–1976)

|{{ubli|Revisionist Zionism|National conservatism}}

|Right-wing

|Avraham Yoffe (1967–1976)

|-

|bgcolor=#3B9169|

|La'am
(1976–1984)

|{{ubli|Zionism|Liberal conservatism}}

|Centre-right

|{{ubl|Yigal Hurvitz (1976–1984)|Eliezer Shostak (1976–1984)}}

|-

|}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"

! colspan="3" | Leader

! Took office

! Left office

! Prime Ministerial tenure

! Knesset elections

! Elected/reelected as leader

|-

| style="background: {{party color|Likud}}; color: white" | 1

| 70px

| Menachem Begin

| 1973

| 1983

| 1977–1983

| 1977, 1981

|

|-

| style="background: {{party color|Likud}}; color: white" | 2

| 70px

| Yitzhak Shamir

| 1983

| 1993

| 1983–1984, 1986–1992

| 1984, 1988, 1992

| 1983, 1984, and 1992

|-

| style="background: {{party color|Likud}}; color: white" | 3

| 70px

| Benjamin Netanyahu

| 1993

| 1999

| 1996–1999

| 1996, 1999

| 1993, and 1999 (Jan)

|-

| style="background: {{party color|Likud}}; color: white" | 4

| 70px

| Ariel Sharon

| 1999

| 2005

| 2001–2006

| 2001, 2003

| 1999 (Sep) and 2002

|-

| style="background: {{party color|Likud}}; color: white" | (3)

| 70px

| Benjamin Netanyahu

| 2005

| Incumbent

| 2009–2021, 2022–

| 2006, 2009, 2013, 2015, Apr 2019, Sep 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022

| 2005 2007{{cite web |last1=Heller |first1=Jeffrey |title=Israel's Netanyahu wins re-election as Likud chief |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-likud/israels-netanyahu-wins-re-election-as-likud-chief-idUSL1446609620070815 |publisher=Reuters |access-date=25 January 2022 |date=August 14, 2007 |archive-date=25 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125195755/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-likud/israels-netanyahu-wins-re-election-as-likud-chief-idUSL1446609620070815 |url-status=live }} 2012, 2014, and 2019

|}

During Begin's tenure as leader of Herut/Likud, his leadership was effectively unchallenged. From 1983 through 1992, Herut/Likud elected its party leaders through votes held in party agencies. The 1983 and 1984 Herut leadership elections were undertaken through a vote of Herut's Central Committee. The day after Yitzhak Shamir won the 1983 secret ballot vote of the Herut Central Committee to obtain Herut's party leadership, the party leaders of the other Likud coalition member parties announced that they agreed to have Shamir lead the Likud coalition.{{cite web |last1=Riley |first1=Susan |title=Shamir takes the helm |url=https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1983/9/12/shamir-takes-the-helm |website=Maclean's |date=12 September 1983 |access-date=15 February 2022 |archive-date=15 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215194800/https://archive.macleans.ca/article/1983/9/12/shamir-takes-the-helm |url-status=dead }}

The 1992 Likud leadership election was the first held after Likud became a unified party. The 1992 leadership election was held as a vote of the Likud Central Committee. After 1992, the party moved to electing its leaders through votes of its general membership, with the first such vote taking place in 1993.

{{Expand section|date=March 2023}}

Prior to the 2006 election, the Likud's Central Committee relinquished control of selecting the Knesset list to the "rank and file" members at Netanyahu's behest.{{cite news |first=Gil |last=Hoffman |date=1 March 2006 |title=Central committee strips itself of power |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |url=http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Central-committee-strips-itself-of-power |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017073628/http://www.jpost.com/Israel/Central-committee-strips-itself-of-power |url-status=live }} The aim was to improve the party's reputation, as the central committee had gained a reputation for corruption.{{cite news |date=17 December 2002 |title=Israeli media vents fury at Likud |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2583675.stm |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=3 May 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040503221323/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/middle_east/2583675.stm |url-status=live }}

Likud currently has 32 Knesset members. They are listed below in the order that they appeared on the party's list for the 2022 elections.

1. Benjamin Netanyahu
2. Yariv Levin
3. Eli Cohen (replaced by Osher Shekalim on 15 February 2023)
4. Yoav Galant (replaced by Afif Abed on 5 January 2024)
5. Dudi Amsalem (replaced by Avihai Boaron on 31 March 2023, who was replaced by Galit Distel-Atbaryan on 14 October 2023)
6. Amir Ohana
7. Yoav Kisch (replaced by Sasson Guetta on 26 March 2023)
8. Nir Barkat
9. Miri Regev (replaced by Keti Shitrit on 15 February 2023)
10. Miki Zohar (replaced by Dan Illouz on 6 January 2023)
11. Avi Dichter
12. Israel Katz
13. Shlomo Karhi
14. Amichai Chikli (replaced by Amit Halevi on 17 January 2023)
15. Danny Danon (replaced by Avihai Boaron on 1 July 2024)
16. Idit Silman (replaced by Eti Atiya on 7 January 2023)
17. David Bitan
18. Yuli Edelstein
19. Eliyahu Revivo
20. Galit Distel-Atbaryan (replaced by Moshe Passal on 12 March 2023)
21. Nissim Vaturi
22. Shalom Danino
23. Haim Katz (replaced by Ariel Kallner on 6 January 2023)
24. Ofir Akunis (replaced by Tsega Melaku on 9 February 2023)
25. Tali Gottlieb
26. Hanoch Milwidsky
27. Boaz Bismuth
28. Moshe Saada
29. Eli Dellal
30. Gila Gamliel
31. Ofir Katz
32. May Golan

• Director General of the Likud: Zuri Siso{{cite web |title=Organs of the Likud – The Likud Party |url=https://likud.org.il/en/about-the-likud/organs-of-the-likud |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405135841/https://www.likud.org.il/en/about-the-likud/organs-of-the-likud |archive-date=5 April 2022 |access-date=19 May 2022 |publisher=Likud}}
• Deputy DG, head of the Municipal Division, head of the Computer Division: Zuri Siso
• Manager of the Likud Chairman's Office: Hanni Blaivais
• Director of Foreign Affairs and Likud spokesperson: Eli Hazan{{Cite web |title=מוסדות התנועה - מפלגת הליכוד |url=https://www.likud.org.il/%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%93/%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%AA%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%94 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405135842/https://www.likud.org.il/%D7%A2%D7%9C-%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%9B%D7%95%D7%93/%D7%9E%D7%95%D7%A1%D7%93%D7%95%D7%AA-%D7%94%D7%AA%D7%A0%D7%95%D7%A2%D7%94 |archive-date=5 April 2022 |access-date=19 May 2022 |website=Likud}}

The Central Committee decides on all matters between party conferences, with the exceptions of matters designated to another organ. {{As of|2022}}, the chairman of the Central Committee is Haim Katz.[https://www.likud.org.il/en/about-the-likud/organs-of-the-likud Organs of the Likud] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190916232125/https://www.likud.org.il/en/about-the-likud/organs-of-the-likud |date=16 September 2019 }} (retrieved May 24, 2022)

The Central Committee has a considerable number of members. For example, in one vote, 3,050 members took part in 2005.[https://imemc.org/article/14109/ "Likud votes in favor of Sharon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524004300/https://imemc.org/article/14109/ |date=24 May 2022 }}, IMEMC, September 26, 2005

The secretariat is the body that elects the director general of the part and the heads various departments. It defines their powers and supervises their activities. {{As of|2022}} the chairman of the secretariat is Haim Katz.

The Court is the supreme judicial organ in all matters of the party.

The Legal Advisor advises the party and its bodies in the matters of the state law and the Party constitution and represents the party before external authorities. The Legal Advisor has a significant power and may overturn the decisions of most of the party bodies, including the Central Committee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/likud-legal-adviser-no-second-leadership-race-381637|title=Likud legal adviser: No second leadership race|website=The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com|date=12 November 2014|access-date=25 May 2022|archive-date=25 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525044739/https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/likud-legal-adviser-no-second-leadership-race-381637|url-status=live}} {{As of|2022}} the Legal Advisor of the Likud Movement is Avi Halevy.

The Likud Youth Movement ({{ill|Noar HaLikud|he|נוער הליכוד}}, lit. 'Likud Youth', sometimes called 'Young Likud'), is the official body in charge of all young members of Likud. It is a member group of the International Young Democrat Union.{{cite web |url=http://idu.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DRAFT-Minutes-Seoul-Executive.pdf |title=DRAFT Minutes, IDU Executive Committee, Chaired by IDU Chairman John Howard |date=20 November 2014 |location=Seoul |publisher=International Democrat Union (IDU) |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=26 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526213818/http://idu.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/DRAFT-Minutes-Seoul-Executive.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.iydu.org/members/ |title=Members |publisher=International Young Democrat Union (IDYU) |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130928101420/http://www.iydu.org/members/ |url-status=dead }}

{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center

!Election

!Leader

!Votes

!%

!Seats

!+/–

!Status

|-

|1973

|rowspan=3|Menachem Begin

|473,309

|30.2 (#2)

|{{Composition bar|39|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{increase}} 7

|{{no2|Opposition}}

|-

|1977{{efn|Both members of Shlomtzion joined the party, giving it 45 seats.}}

|583,968

|33.4 (#1)

|{{Composition bar|43|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{increase}} 4

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|1981

|718,941

|37.1 (#1)

|{{Composition bar|48|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{increase}} 3

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|1984

|rowspan=3|Yitzhak Shamir

|661,302

|31.9 (#2)

|{{Composition bar|41|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{decrease}} 7

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|1988

|709,305

|31.1 (#1)

|{{Composition bar|40|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{decrease}} 1

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|1992

|651,229

|24.9 (#2)

|{{Composition bar|32|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{decrease}} 8

|{{no2|Opposition}}

|-

|1996{{efn|Run in coalition with Gesher and Tzomet.}}

|rowspan=2|Benjamin Netanyahu

|767,401

|25.1 (#2)

|{{Composition bar|22|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{decrease}} 10

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|1999

|468,103

|14.1 (#2)

|{{Composition bar|19|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{decrease}} 3

|{{no2|Opposition}}

|-

|2003

|Ariel Sharon

|925,279

|29.4 (#1)

|{{Composition bar|38|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{increase}} 19

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|2006

|rowspan=9|Benjamin Netanyahu

|281,996

|9.0 (#4)

|{{Composition bar|12|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{decrease}} 26

|{{no2|Opposition}}

|-

|2009

|729,054

|21.6 (#2)

|{{Composition bar|27|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{increase}} 15

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|2013{{efn|Run in coalition with Yisrael Beiteinu.}}

|884,631

|23.3 (#1)

|{{Composition bar|20|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{decrease}} 7

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|2015

|984,966

|23.4 (#1)

|{{Composition bar|30|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{increase}} 12

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|Apr 2019

|1,138,772

|26.5 (#1)

|{{Composition bar|35|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{increase}} 5

|{{partial2|Caretaker}}

|-

|Sep 2019

|1,113,617

|25.1 (#2)

|{{Composition bar|32|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{decrease}} 4

|{{partial2|Caretaker}}

|-

|-

|2020

|1,349,171

|29.5 (#1)

|{{Composition bar|36|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{increase}} 4

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|2021

|1,066,892

|24.2 (#1)

|{{Composition bar|30|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{decrease}} 6

|{{no2|Opposition}}

|-

|-

|2022

|1,115,049

|23.4 (#1)

|{{Composition bar|32|120|{{party color|Likud}}}}

|{{increase}} 2

|{{yes2|Coalition}}

|-

|}

{{notelist}}

{| class="wikitable"

|-

! Election

! Candidate

! Votes

! %

! Result

|-

! 1996

| Benjamin Netanyahu

| align=right|1,501,023

| align=right|50.5 (#1)

| {{yes2|Won}}

|-

! 1999

| Benjamin Netanyahu

| align=right|1,402,474

| align=right|43.9 (#2)

| {{no2|Lost}}

|-

! 2001

| Ariel Sharon

| align=right|1,698,077

| align=right|62.4 (#1)

| {{yes2|Won}}

|}

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