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Likud

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Likud is a major right-wing political party in Israel.

Menachem Begin in 1978 (3x4 cropped)
Menachem Begin in 1978 (3x4 cropped)

The name Likud means "Consolidation." This name shows how several smaller groups joined together. These groups included Herut, the Liberal Party, the Free Centre, the National List, and the Movement for Greater Israel. Herut was the largest group in this alliance. It had been a major right-wing force since 1948. The party was officially formed on September 13, 1973.

PORTRAIT OF VLADIMIR JABOTINSKY TAKEN BY BRITT IN PARIS. פורטרט, זאב ז'בוטינסקי.D850-062 (cropped)
PORTRAIT OF VLADIMIR JABOTINSKY TAKEN BY BRITT IN PARIS. פורטרט, זאב ז'בוטינסקי.D850-062 (cropped)

Likud changed how politics worked in Israel. In the 1977 election, the party won a huge victory. It won 43 seats in the Knesset, which is the Israeli parliament. This was the first time a right-wing party won the most votes. It also meant the left-wing parties lost their power for the first time. Menachem Begin became the leader after this win. He later helped sign the 1979 peace treaty with Egypt.

Menachem Begin and Cyrus R. Vance (cropped) (2)
Menachem Begin and Cyrus R. Vance (cropped) (2)

Many different people have led the party over the years. After Begin, Yitzhak Shamir took over as prime minister in 1983. Shamir was known as a hard-liner. In 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu won a vote to become prime minister.

Benjamin Netanyahu 1996 (cropped)
Benjamin Netanyahu 1996 (cropped)

He took over the job after Yitzhak Rabin was killed. Later, Ariel Sharon became the leader of the party. Sharon won a big election in 2001. He had previously been a minister in the government.

The party has faced many hard times and splits. In 2005, Ariel Sharon left Likud to start a new party called Kadima. This was because he had different ideas about land. This split caused Likud to fall to fourth place in 2006. They lost 28 seats in the Knesset during that time.

Ariel Sharon Headshot
Ariel Sharon Headshot

However, Benjamin Netanyahu helped the party gain strength again. He led the party back to power in 2009 by forming a coalition. He worked with other parties like Yisrael Beiteinu and Shas.

Today, Likud remains a very important part of Israeli life. Benjamin Netanyahu has served as prime minister for many years. He led the party through many different elections. In 2022, he won the election and returned to office.

Benjamin Netanyahu, February 2023 (3x4 cropped)
Benjamin Netanyahu, February 2023 (3x4 cropped)

People who belong to the party are called Likudniks. The party uses a special symbol for its elections. This symbol shows its history of bringing different groups together. You might see Likud trucks helping with campaigns in cities like Jerusalem.

Likudtruck
Likudtruck
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🖼️ Images & Media (9)
File:Menachem Begin and Cyrus R. Vance (cropped) (2).JPEG
Menachem Begin and Cyrus R. Vance...
File:Likud-Tzomet.png
Likud-Tzomet.png
File:Likudtruck.jpg
Likudtruck.jpg
File:PORTRAIT OF VLADIMIR JABOTINSKY TAKEN BY BRITT IN PARIS. פורטרט, זאב ז'בוטינסקי.D850-062 (cropped).jpg
PORTRAIT OF VLADIMIR JABOTINSKY TAKEN BY...
File:Menachem Begin in 1978 (3x4 cropped).JPEG
Menachem Begin in 1978 (3x4 cropped).JPEG
File:Yitzhak Shamir (1980).jpg
Yitzhak Shamir (1980).jpg
File:Benjamin Netanyahu 1996 (cropped).jpg
Benjamin Netanyahu 1996 (cropped).jpg
File:Ariel Sharon Headshot.jpg
Ariel Sharon Headshot.jpg
File:Benjamin Netanyahu, February 2023 (3x4 cropped).jpg
Benjamin Netanyahu, February 2023 (3x4...
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