Likud facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Likud – National Liberal Movement הליכוד – תנועה לאומית ליברלית‎
Chairperson	Benjamin Netanyahu
Founder	Menachem Begin
Founded	1973 (alliance) 1988 (unified party)
Merger of	Gahal (Herut and Liberal Party), Free Centre, National List and Movement for Greater Israel
Headquarters	Metzudat Ze'ev 38 King George Street Tel Aviv, Israel
Youth wing	Likud Youth
Membership (2012)	125,000
Ideology	Conservatism National liberalism National conservatism Economic liberalism Right-wing populism Zionism Historical: Liberal conservatism Revisionist Zionism
Political position	Right-wing
European affiliation	European Conservatives and Reformists Party (global partner)
International affiliation	International Democracy Union
Colours	Blue
Knesset	32 / 120
Most MKs	48 (1981)
Election symbol
מחל‎ م‌ح‌ل‎
Party flag

Likud (which means "The Consolidation" in Hebrew) is a major right-wing political party in Israel. Its full name is Likud – National Liberal Movement. It was started in 1973 by Menachem Begin and Ariel Sharon. They brought together several right-wing groups to form this new party.

Likud's big win in the 1977 elections changed Israeli politics forever. It was the first time a right-wing party won the most votes. This also meant the left-wing parties lost power for the first time. Likud led the country for most of the 1980s. However, they lost the Knesset election in 1992.

Later, in 1996, Likud's leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, became Prime Minister. But his government didn't last long. New elections were called in 1999, and Likud lost power.

In 2001, Ariel Sharon became Likud's leader and won the election for Prime Minister. Likud won strongly in the 2003 elections. But in 2005, Sharon left to create a new party called Kadima. This caused Likud to lose many seats in the 2006 elections.

After the 2009 elections, Likud gained back many seats. With Netanyahu back as leader, Likud formed a government with other right-wing parties. Netanyahu was Prime Minister from 2009 until 2021. Likud usually won the most votes in elections. However, in April and September 2019, they faced tough competition. Likud won the most seats again in the 2020 and 2021 elections. But Netanyahu was removed from power in June 2021. He returned as Prime Minister after winning the 2022 election.

A member of the Likud party is often called a Likudnik. The party's election symbol is מחל. This symbol comes from the first letters of the parties that joined to form Likud.

History of Likud

How Likud Started

Likud was formed on September 13, 1973. It was an alliance of several right-wing parties. These included Herut, the Liberal Party, the Free Centre, the National List, and the Movement for Greater Israel. Herut was the biggest right-wing party in Israel before Likud. It had already teamed up with the Liberals in 1965. This team was called Gahal.

Herut remained the main partner in the new Likud group. The name Likud means "Consolidation" because it brought together many right-wing groups. It worked as a team until 1988. Then, all the member parties officially joined into one party under the Likud name. From the start, Likud was very popular with working-class Sephardim (Jews from Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds).

In its first election, Likud won 39 seats in the Knesset (Israel's parliament). The party then won the 1977 election with 43 seats. This was a big win. Menachem Begin became Prime Minister. This was the first time since Israel's independence that a left-wing party was not in charge. Begin, who used to lead a tough group called Irgun, signed important peace deals. These included the 1978 Camp David Accords and the 1979 Egypt–Israel peace treaty. In the 1981 election, Likud won 48 seats.

Likud has always been a mix of politicians with different ideas. For example, in 1981, there were differences between the popular wing, led by David Levy, and the Liberal wing. The Liberal wing represented business-focused policies.

Leaders: Shamir and Netanyahu's First Term

Likud founder Menachem Begin

On August 28, 1983, Menachem Begin decided to step down as Prime Minister. Yitzhak Shamir took his place. Shamir was known for his strong views. He was against the Camp David peace deals. In the 1984 election, Likud won 41 seats. This was fewer than the Alignment party. Since no party could form a government alone, they formed a "rotation government." This meant Shimon Peres (from Alignment) was Prime Minister first, and Shamir was Foreign Minister. In 1986, they switched roles.

Likud won the 1988 election. They formed another government with the Alignment. Shamir continued as Prime Minister. In 1990, the government fell apart. Shamir then formed a new government with other right-wing parties. This government lasted until the 1992 election. In that election, Likud lost to Yitzhak Rabin's Labor Party.

Shamir stepped down as Likud leader in 1993. The party held its first primary election to choose a new leader. Benjamin Netanyahu won. He became the Leader of the Opposition. In 1995, after Prime Minister Rabin was assassinated, new elections were called. In May 1996, Netanyahu narrowly won the election for Prime Minister.

Logo of the Likud-Tzomet List from the 1996 election

In 1998, Netanyahu agreed to give up some land as part of a peace deal. This made some Likud members unhappy. They left to form a new party. Even former Prime Minister Shamir was disappointed with Netanyahu. Netanyahu's government then collapsed in December 1998. This led to the 1999 election. Ehud Barak of the Labor party defeated Netanyahu. After this loss, Netanyahu stepped down as Likud leader. In September, Ariel Sharon became the new leader.

Barak's government also fell apart in 2000. New elections for Prime Minister were held in February 2001. Sharon easily defeated Barak. In 2002, Netanyahu tried to become leader again but lost to Sharon. During Sharon's time as leader, Likud faced a big disagreement. Sharon wanted to remove Israeli settlements from Gaza and parts of the West Bank. This idea caused a lot of division within the party.

Sharon and the Kadima Split

Sharon's plan to remove settlements made some Likud supporters upset. He faced challenges to his leadership. In March 2005, his budget plan barely passed. In September 2005, his critics in Likud tried to force an early leadership election, but they lost.

On November 20, 2005, the Labor Party left Sharon's government. The next day, Sharon announced he was leaving Likud. He formed a new party called Kadima. This new party included Likud and Labor members who supported his plan to remove settlements. Sharon also announced that new elections would happen in early 2006. Several people wanted to become the new Likud leader. Netanyahu won the leadership election in December.

Netanyahu's Second Term

A truck campaigning for Likud in Jerusalem before the 2006 election

In January 2006, Sharon became very ill. Ehud Olmert took over as Kadima leader. Kadima won the 2006 election. Likud lost a lot of support, winning only 12 seats. Other right-wing parties gained votes. After the election, Netanyahu was re-elected Likud Leader in 2007.

In 2008, Olmert resigned as Prime Minister. In the next election in 2009, Likud won 27 seats. This was the second-highest number. However, Likud and its allies won enough seats together. This allowed Netanyahu to form a government. It included Likud and other right-wing parties. Netanyahu was re-elected as Likud leader in 2012.

Working with Yisrael Beitenu and the 2015 Election

Before the 2013 election, Netanyahu and Avigdor Lieberman, the leader of Yisrael Beiteinu, announced their parties would run together. They called their joint list Likud Yisrael Beiteinu. This partnership ended in July 2014.

In the 2013 elections, the Likud–Yisrael Beiteinu alliance won 31 seats. Netanyahu continued as Prime Minister. He formed a government with other parties. This government fell apart in December 2014. This led to new elections in 2015.

Likud won the 2015 election, getting 30 seats. They formed a government with several other parties. In May 2016, Yisrael Beitenu joined the government. But they left in December 2018. This caused Netanyahu to call new elections for April 2019.

Elections from 2019 to 2022

Before the April 2019 Israeli legislative election, Likud helped form a group of right-wing parties. After this election, another party called Kulanu joined Likud.

Before the September 2019 Israeli legislative election, Likud made a deal with the Zehut party. Zehut agreed to drop out of the election and support Likud.

Before the 2020 Israeli legislative election, Gideon Sa'ar tried to become the leader of Likud but lost to Netanyahu. Later, Sa'ar left Likud to form a new party.

Before the 2021 Israeli legislative election, another party called Gesher joined Likud. In 2021, for the first time, Likud included a Muslim person on its list of candidates.

Likud also helped form a joint list for other religious Zionist parties. Likud won the most seats in the 2022 Israeli legislative election.

Likud's Main Ideas

Likud focuses on national security. They believe Israel needs a strong military to protect itself. They are careful about making deals with neighbors they think might want to harm Israel. However, Likud has also signed peace agreements, like the 1979 treaty with Egypt.

Likud is a leading party in the "national camp" in Israeli politics. This means they strongly support Israel's national identity and security.

Views on Territory

The original Likud party platform in 1977 stated that only Israeli rule would exist "between the Sea and the Jordan" (meaning the land from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River).

The 1999 Likud Party platform said that Jewish communities in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza (which are parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip) are important. They said that settling the land shows the Jewish people's right to the Land of Israel. They also said it helps protect Israel's interests. Likud promised to strengthen these communities and prevent them from being removed.

They also claim the Jordan River as Israel's permanent eastern border. They believe Jerusalem belongs to Israel.

The 1999 Likud platform also clearly said no to a Palestinian state: "The Government of Israel completely rejects the creation of a Palestinian Arab state west of the Jordan river. Palestinians can manage their lives freely under self-rule, but not as an independent country. So, for example, their actions in foreign affairs, security, immigration, and environment will be limited by what Israel needs for its existence and security."

When Likud returned to power in 2009, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gave a speech. In this speech, he said for the first time that he supported a Palestinian state next to Israel. But he had several conditions for it.

However, in 2015, Netanyahu said that if he was elected, a Palestinian state would not be created. He argued that giving land away could lead to attacks against Israel. After some criticism, he later said he wanted a peaceful two-state solution.

The Likud Constitution from May 2014 is less clear. It talks about strengthening Jewish settlements in the West Bank. But it does not directly say no to a Palestinian state.

Views on Economy

The Likud party says it supports a free market economy. This means less government control over businesses. However, in reality, they have often used a mixed approach. When Benjamin Netanyahu was Finance Minister, Likud passed laws that lowered taxes. They also encouraged free trade with countries like the European Union and the United States. They broke up some government-controlled companies and allowed private companies to take over.

Netanyahu was a strong supporter of free markets. He believed that Israel's largest labor union had too much power. He also thought that unemployment was caused by laziness and too many benefits for the unemployed. Under Netanyahu, Likud has generally kept a careful approach to spending money. However, some Likud members have different economic ideas. They support more government involvement in the economy.

Views on Palestinians

Likud has historically been against Palestinian statehood. They have supported Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. However, Likud has also been the party that signed the first peace agreements with Arab countries. For example, in 1979, Likud Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the Camp David Accords with Egypt. This returned the Sinai Peninsula to Egypt in exchange for peace.

Yitzhak Shamir was the first Israeli Prime Minister to meet Palestinian leaders. This happened at the Madrid Conference in 1991. But Shamir refused to accept a Palestinian state.

In 2002, during a period of conflict, Israel's Likud-led government reoccupied Palestinian towns in the West Bank. In 2005, Ariel Sharon went against some Likud ideas. He decided to remove Israeli settlements from the Gaza Strip and four settlements in the northern West Bank. Even though Likud voters did not support this plan in a vote, Sharon got government approval. He did this by removing cabinet members who were against the plan.

Sharon and his supporters left Likud after this plan. They created the new Kadima party. This new party supported removing settlements from most of the West Bank. They also wanted to set borders using the Israeli West Bank barrier. Their main idea was that Israel had no good partner for peace talks with the Palestinians. So, Israel should leave the areas on its own.

Netanyahu, who became the new Likud leader, had supported the disengagement plan earlier. Most current Likud members support Jewish settlements in the West Bank. They are against Palestinian statehood and the removal of settlements from Gaza.

Under Netanyahu, settlement building has continued. However, much of this building outside major settlement areas has been to please other parties in the government.

In the 2019 elections, Likud faced criticism for using strong anti-Arab language. Some members and Netanyahu himself called minority Arabs and Palestinians in Israel "threats" and "enemies."

Views on Culture

Ze'ev Jabotinsky

Likud generally supports free enterprise and nationalism. But sometimes, they have changed these ideas in practice. This is especially true as their voters have changed. Their support for economic programs that help ordinary people might seem different from their free market ideas. But these programs are meant to help their voters, who are often lower-income and live in smaller towns.

On the topic of religion and state, Likud has a balanced view. They want to keep things as they are. Over time, the party has become more popular with religious voters. Religious parties often find Likud a more comfortable partner than the Labor party.

Likud wants to bring back Jewish culture. This fits with the ideas of Revisionist Zionism. Likud highlights Israeli nationalist themes, like using the Israeli flag and celebrating the victory in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. In July 2018, Likud lawmakers passed a law. This law declares Israel as the "nation-state of the Jewish people."

Likud publicly supports press freedom and private media. Private media has grown a lot under Likud-led governments. However, a Likud government led by Ariel Sharon once closed a popular right-wing radio station. This station often criticized the government.

Historically, Likud and its earlier groups supported a non-religious form of nationalism. But Likud's first Prime Minister, Menachem Begin, even though he was not religious, had a warm attitude towards Jewish traditions. He also appreciated religious Jews, especially from North Africa and the Middle East. These voters helped bring Likud to power in 1977. Many Orthodox Israelis find Likud a good party for them. In recent years, a large group of Haredim (very religious Jews) have also joined the party.

Leaders of Likud

Leader			Took office	Left office	Prime Ministerial tenure	Knesset elections	Elected/reelected as leader
1		Menachem Begin	1973	1983	1977–1983	1977, 1981
2		Yitzhak Shamir	1983	1993	1983–1984, 1986–1992	1984, 1988, 1992	1983, 1984, and 1992
3		Benjamin Netanyahu	1993	1999	1996–1999	1996, 1999	1993, and 1999 (Jan)
4		Ariel Sharon	1999	2005	2001–2006	2001, 2003	1999 (Sep) and 2002
(3)		Benjamin Netanyahu	2005	Incumbent	2009–2021, 2022–	2006, 2009, 2013, 2015, Apr 2019, Sep 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022	2005 2007 2012, 2014, and 2019

Likud Youth Movement

The Likud Youth Movement is the official group for all young members of Likud. It is part of a larger international group for young democrats.

Election Results

Knesset Elections

Election	Leader	Votes	%	Seats	+/–	Status
1973	Menachem Begin	473,309	30.2 (#2)	39 / 120	7	Opposition
1977		583,968	33.4 (#1)	43 / 120	4	Coalition
1981		718,941	37.1 (#1)	48 / 120	3	Coalition
1984	Yitzhak Shamir	661,302	31.9 (#2)	41 / 120	7	Coalition
1988		709,305	31.1 (#1)	40 / 120	1	Coalition
1992		651,229	24.9 (#2)	32 / 120	8	Opposition
1996	Benjamin Netanyahu	767,401	25.1 (#2)	22 / 120	10	Coalition
1999		468,103	14.1 (#2)	19 / 120	3	Opposition
2003	Ariel Sharon	925,279	29.4 (#1)	38 / 120	19	Coalition
2006	Benjamin Netanyahu	281,996	9.0 (#4)	12 / 120	26	Opposition
2009		729,054	21.6 (#2)	27 / 120	15	Coalition
2013		884,631	23.3 (#1)	20 / 120	7	Coalition
2015		984,966	23.4 (#1)	30 / 120	12	Coalition
Apr 2019		1,138,772	26.5 (#1)	35 / 120	5	Caretaker
Sep 2019		1,113,617	25.1 (#2)	32 / 120	4	Caretaker
2020		1,349,171	29.5 (#1)	36 / 120	4	Coalition
2021		1,066,892	24.2 (#1)	30 / 120	6	Opposition
2022		1,115,049	23.4 (#1)	32 / 120	2	Coalition

Prime Minister Elections

Images for kids

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  Likud party logo

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  Flag of the Likud party

In Spanish: Likud para niños

• List of Likud Knesset Members
• New Likudniks