Likud | |
---|---|
Party leader | Benjamin Netanyahu |
Parliamentary leader | |
Founded | 1988 |
Headquarters | |
Political ideology | Conservatism |
Political position | Center-right |
International affiliation | Alliance of Conservatives and Reformists in Europe (regional partner) |
Color(s) | blue |
Website | likud.org.il |
Likud (meaning 'Union' or 'Consolidation', officially the Likud–National Liberal Movement) is an Israeli center-right wing political party. Its platform is free-market economy (though it does support strong social programs for Jews making Aliyah to Israel in order to assist in assimilation), and strong national defense.
Its current leader is Benjamin Netanyahu.
Likud was formed by the merger in 1988 of a number of parties that had previously formed an alliance in 1973:
- Gahal - itself an alliance of:
- Herut - Israel's main centre-right party before Likud
- The Liberal Party
- Free Centre
- National List
- Movement for Greater Israel
The party came into national prominence in 1977 with a stunning upset over left-wing parties that had dominated Israeli politics up to that point, it was the first time that a right-wing political party had ever been able to form the ruling coalition in the Knesset. Since then Likud has formed or been part of the ruling coalition in nine of the 12 Knessets.
A member of the party is often called a Likudnik.
External links
- Likud - Official Likud Site (English)