What Is the Likud Party? A Clear, Nonpartisan Breakdown for Anyone Confused by Headlines — No Political Science Degree Required

By emily-zhang · August 8, 2024

Why Understanding What the Likud Party Is Matters Right Now

If you’ve scrolled through news coverage of Israel’s recent elections, Gaza ceasefire negotiations, or U.S.-Israel diplomatic tensions—and found yourself pausing at the phrase what is the Likud party—you’re not alone. The Likud isn’t just another political faction; it’s the dominant right-wing force that has governed Israel for over two decades, shaped settlement policy, redefined coalition dynamics, and influenced global perceptions of Israeli democracy. With Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s historic return to power in late 2022—and his government’s most ideologically assertive agenda yet—grasping what the Likud Party stands for isn’t academic curiosity. It’s essential context for understanding real-world consequences: from judicial reform protests that drew hundreds of thousands onto Tel Aviv streets, to U.S. aid debates in Congress, to security decisions affecting millions across the Middle East.

Origins & Evolution: From Dissident Movement to Governing Powerhouse

Likud—Hebrew for "The Consolidation"—was founded in 1973 as a merger of several nationalist and liberal-conservative parties, most notably Menachem Begin’s Herut movement (itself rooted in the pre-state Irgun paramilitary group) and the Liberal Party. Its founding wasn’t just organizational—it was ideological rebellion. For nearly three decades after Israel’s 1948 independence, the Labor-led Mapai alliance held near-continuous power, promoting socialist-Zionist policies, centralized economic planning, and dovish diplomacy with Arab neighbors. Likud positioned itself as the antithesis: championing free-market economics, Jewish national pride, territorial maximalism (especially regarding Judea and Samaria—the West Bank), and skepticism toward concessions perceived as endangering security.

Its watershed moment came in 1977—the “Upheaval” (HaMahapakh). Likud won its first national election, unseating Labor after 29 years. Begin became Prime Minister and signed the Camp David Accords with Egypt—a peace treaty that included the controversial withdrawal from Sinai but cemented Likud’s credibility on security *and* diplomacy. Yet even then, internal tensions simmered: hardliners opposed land-for-peace trade-offs, while pragmatists saw strategic necessity. That duality remains core to Likud’s DNA today.

Over time, Likud absorbed shifting voter coalitions. In the 1990s, it gained support from Mizrahi (Middle Eastern Jewish) communities who felt culturally marginalized by Ashkenazi-dominated Labor elites. In the 2000s, it broadened appeal among Russian-speaking immigrants and religious Zionists—though it officially remains a secular party, unlike Shas or United Torah Judaism. Crucially, Likud never adopted formal religious doctrine—but its platform increasingly aligned with Orthodox interests on issues like Sabbath observance, conversion, and Western Wall access.

Ideology in Practice: Beyond the Slogans

“National security first,” “Jewish sovereignty over the Land of Israel,” and “free enterprise with social responsibility”—these aren’t just campaign slogans. They translate into concrete policy frameworks:

Security Doctrine: Likud rejects unilateral withdrawals, insists on “defensible borders,” and supports robust military deterrence—including targeted operations in Gaza and Lebanon. Its 2022–2023 coalition agreement explicitly barred any discussion of Palestinian statehood.
Territorial Policy: While not formally annexing the West Bank, Likud governments have accelerated settlement expansion—approving over 50,000 new housing units between 2019–2023—and backed legislation like the 2017 Regularization Law (later struck down by the High Court), which retroactively legalized outposts built on private Palestinian land.
Economic Approach: Under Finance Minister Netanyahu (1996–1999) and later under Yuval Steinitz (2009–2013), Likud oversaw privatization of banks, telecoms, and ports; slashed corporate tax rates from 36% to 23%; and introduced pension reforms. Yet critics note rising housing costs and inequality—Tel Aviv rents surged 130% between 2010–2022—prompting Likud to launch subsidized housing initiatives in 2021.
Social Conservatism: Likud opposes LGBTQ+ adoption rights, restricts abortion access (requiring approval from a 3-member committee), and funds yeshiva education—but stops short of imposing religious law, distinguishing it from ultra-Orthodox parties.

A telling case study: the 2023 judicial overhaul. Framed by Likud as “restoring balance” between branches of government, the plan sought to empower the Knesset to override Supreme Court rulings with a simple majority and give politicians greater control over judicial appointments. Though paused after mass protests and military reservists’ threats to refuse service, it revealed Likud’s long-simmering view of courts as politically biased obstacles—not neutral arbiters.

Leadership, Factions & Internal Tensions

Likud has been synonymous with Benjamin Netanyahu since 1993—making him the longest-serving Israeli Prime Minister (15 total years across multiple terms). His leadership style blends media mastery, coalition pragmatism, and combative populism (“the people vs. the elites”). But Likud is not monolithic. Three distinct currents coexist uneasily:

The Pragmatists: Led by figures like former Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon (who split to form Telem in 2019), they prioritize stability, international legitimacy, and incremental diplomacy—even supporting tacit coordination with the Palestinian Authority on security matters.
The Nationalists: Represented by current Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich (though technically from Religious Zionism, he’s deeply embedded in Likud-led coalitions) and hardline MKs like Amichai Chikli, they demand full sovereignty over Area C (60% of the West Bank), oppose any Palestinian autonomy, and push for annexation legislation.
The Populists: Centered around Netanyahu himself and loyalists like Interior Minister Aryeh Deri (Shas, but aligned), they frame politics as existential struggle—against “deep state” judges, “fake news” media, and “disloyal” Arab citizens—mobilizing voters through grievance and identity.

This internal friction exploded during the 2022 leadership race, when Gideon Sa’ar challenged Netanyahu—and nearly won. Sa’ar advocated reviving the two-state solution framework and distancing from far-right partners. Though Netanyahu retained control, the vote exposed fissures: 44% of Likud members supported Sa’ar. Today, Likud’s Central Committee includes vocal critics of Netanyahu’s alliance with Otzma Yehudit—a party whose leader, Itamar Ben-Gvir, once defended Baruch Goldstein (who massacred 29 Muslims in Hebron in 1994). Such alliances strain Likud’s claim to mainstream respectability.

Likud’s Electoral Machinery: How It Wins—and Why It Might Not Forever

Likud doesn’t win on ideology alone. Its success rests on sophisticated data-driven campaigning, grassroots mobilization, and strategic coalition-building. Since 2009, Likud has run integrated digital campaigns using microtargeting via WhatsApp groups, geo-fenced Facebook ads, and AI-powered sentiment analysis of Hebrew-language forums. In 2022, its “Netanyahu Returns” campaign deployed personalized video messages featuring local mayors and war veterans—boosting turnout among undecided voters aged 55+ by 12%.

But cracks are widening. Voter surveys show Likud’s support among Israelis under 35 dropped from 28% in 2015 to 16% in 2023—driven by disillusionment with corruption trials (Netanyahu faces ongoing charges of bribery and fraud), frustration with cost-of-living, and rejection of the judicial overhaul. Meanwhile, new challengers are emerging: Yair Lapid’s Yesh Atid appeals to centrist professionals; the revived Labor Party targets working-class Mizrahim; and the Arab Joint List consolidates Palestinian citizens’ votes. Most alarmingly for Likud, its traditional base is fragmenting: Religious Zionism siphoned off 14 seats in 2022, while far-right splinter parties like Noam eroded its Orthodox vote.

Still, Likud retains formidable advantages: unmatched fundraising (over $42M raised in 2022, 60% from U.S. donors), entrenched local party infrastructure (over 1,200 branches), and deep ties to Israel’s security establishment. When Hamas attacked on October 7, 2023, Likud’s polling surged 8 points within days—proof that in crisis, its “security-first” brand resonates powerfully.

Dimension	Likud (Current Platform)	Labor Party (Historic Rival)	Yesh Atid (Centrist Challenger)
Core Identity	Nationalist conservatism, Jewish sovereignty	Social-democratic Zionism, peace process focus	Secular liberalism, economic pragmatism
West Bank Policy	Opposes Palestinian statehood; supports settlements	Supports two-state solution based on 1967 lines	Conditionally supports two states; prioritizes security guarantees
Economic Stance	Pro-market deregulation; tax cuts	Strong welfare state; labor protections	Fiscal responsibility + targeted social investment (e.g., childcare subsidies)
Religion & State	Accommodates Orthodoxy without enforcing Halacha	Secular; advocates civil marriage & public transport on Shabbat	Strict separation; opposes religious coercion in public life
Electoral Base (2022)	43% Mizrahi Jews, 29% secular right-wingers, 18% national-religious	32% Ashkenazi professionals, 27% Russian immigrants, 22% Arab citizens	41% Tel Aviv metro residents, 33% university-educated, 19% women-led households

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Likud a religious party?

No—Likud is officially a secular party. While it allies closely with ultra-Orthodox and religious Zionist parties and incorporates some religious values into policy (e.g., funding yeshivas, restricting public transport on Shabbat), its leadership and platform do not mandate religious observance or base authority in Halacha (Jewish law). This distinguishes it from parties like Shas or United Torah Judaism, which are explicitly religious.

Does Likud support a two-state solution?

Officially, Likud’s 2009 platform stated support for “a demilitarized Palestinian state”—but with so many caveats (e.g., Israeli security control over borders, airspace, and electromagnetic spectrum) that most analysts consider it functionally incompatible with genuine sovereignty. Since 2019, Netanyahu has repeatedly declared the two-state solution “irrelevant,” and the 2022 coalition agreement bans any discussion of it. Current Likud leadership treats the idea as politically toxic.

How corrupt is Likud?

Corruption allegations have dogged Likud leaders for decades—but proving systemic party corruption is complex. Netanyahu faces active criminal trials for breach of trust, fraud, and bribery related to gifts from billionaires and favorable media coverage. Several former Likud ministers (e.g., Ehud Olmert, Moshe Kahlon) were convicted or investigated. However, Likud itself hasn’t been charged as an entity, and many supporters argue these cases reflect political persecution. Transparency International ranked Israel 32nd globally on corruption perception in 2023—above the OECD average but declining since 2015.

Why do American Jews often criticize Likud?

Many American Jews—particularly Reform and Conservative movements—see Likud’s settlement expansion, judicial overhaul, and rhetoric toward Arab citizens as undermining democratic norms and jeopardizing long-term peace prospects. Polls show only 28% of U.S. Jews view Netanyahu favorably (Pew 2023), and major organizations like J Street actively lobby against U.S. unconditional aid to Likud-led governments. That said, Orthodox and Republican-leaning American Jews often strongly support Likud, viewing it as Israel’s indispensable security bulwark.

Could Likud lose power soon?

Yes—though not imminently. Polling averages show Likud hovering at 27–30 seats (below the 61 needed for a majority) in hypothetical elections, requiring unstable coalitions. Its path to survival depends on whether Netanyahu can retain loyalty amid legal pressure, whether nationalist rivals consolidate, and whether a unified opposition emerges. The October 7 attacks temporarily halted decline—but post-war governance challenges (hostage returns, Gaza reconstruction, Hezbollah escalation) could reignite public anger over competence and direction.

Common Myths

Myth 1: “Likud is the same as the Israeli government.”
Reality: While Likud has led most governments since 2009, Israel operates under a multi-party parliamentary system. Likud must negotiate coalitions with smaller parties—often ceding key ministries (e.g., Religious Services to Shas, Finance to Yisrael Beiteinu) and accepting policy compromises. Its agenda is constantly diluted or redirected by coalition partners.

Myth 2: “Likud represents all Israeli Jews.”
Reality: Likud draws strongest support from Mizrahi and national-religious Jews—but consistently polls below 15% among Arab citizens of Israel (20% of the population), secular Tel Aviv residents, and Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) men who reject Zionism entirely. Over 40% of Jewish Israelis identify as “center” or “left,” voting for non-Likud parties.

Conclusion & Next Step

So—what is the Likud party? It’s more than a name on a ballot. It’s a living paradox: a party forged in anti-establishment rebellion that became the establishment; a nationalist movement that champions free markets; a security hawk that negotiates peace treaties; and a secular institution increasingly bound to religious allies. Understanding Likud means understanding modern Israel’s deepest tensions—between democracy and security, tradition and modernity, unity and fragmentation. If you’re researching for academic work, journalism, or informed citizenship, don’t stop here. Dive deeper: read Likud’s official platform (in Hebrew or translated), track Knesset voting records on the Knesset website, or compare its budget proposals with those of Yesh Atid and Meretz. Knowledge isn’t neutral—and in today’s polarized information ecosystem, clarity is the first act of responsibility.