דילוג לתוכן
התאמת מפלגות

הליכוד, תנועה לאומית ליברלית

הליכוד בהנהגת בנימין נתניהו לראשות הממשלה
יו״ר
בנימין נתניהו
רשימה
הליכוד בהנהגת בנימין נתניהו לראשות הממשלה
המחקר נכון לתאריך
7 באוקטובר 2026

רצה ברשימה משותפת עם תקווה חדשה הימין הממלכתי בשם הליכוד בהנהגת בנימין נתניהו לראשות הממשלה.

המחקר על המפלגה הזו מוצג בינתיים באנגלית. הגרסה העברית תתווסף בהמשך.

Overview

Founding and history. Likud was set up in 1973 as a joint list for the elections to the 8th Knesset. It brought together Herut (Menachem Begin's movement), the Liberal Party, the Free Center, the State List and the Movement for the Whole Land of Israel. The component parties formally merged into a single party in 1988 [1]. Likud first came to power in 1977 under Begin. It governed until 1984, took part in national unity governments between 1984 and 1990, and led governments again in 1996–1999, 2001–2005, 2009–2021 and from the end of 2022 [1]. Its leaders have included Menachem Begin, Yitzhak Shamir, Ariel Sharon and Benjamin Netanyahu [1].

Ideology. The Israel Democracy Institute (IDI), a non-partisan research body, describes Likud as a "national-liberal movement". Its founding charter combines national aims, such as the Jewish people's right to the Land of Israel and settlement throughout it, with liberal principles such as the rule of law, individual freedoms, opposition to discrimination and a free-market economy [1]. The party's registered name is "Likud – National Liberal Movement" [2]. On its website for the 2026 campaign, Likud presents "six pillars": security "without compromise", a free-market economy, Jerusalem and the Land of Israel, education and Jewish heritage, investment in society and the periphery (areas far from the centre of the country), and Israel's standing in the world [3]. The IDI's 2026 election guide links to this page as Likud's platform [4]. No longer, detailed 2026 platform document was found (see "Information availability").

Base of support and election results. In the November 2022 election Likud won 32 seats with 1,115,336 votes (23.4%), the largest number of any list [1]. It has 32 seats in the outgoing 25th Knesset, according to the Knesset's official member data [5, 6]. The Knesset dissolved itself on 17 July 2026 [7], and the election is set for 27 October 2026 [24].

The list it runs on. Likud runs on the list "Likud led by Benjamin Netanyahu for Prime Minister" (הליכוד בהנהגת בנימין נתניהו לראשות הממשלה), ballot letters מחל. The candidate list was submitted to the Central Elections Committee (CEC) jointly by "Likud – National Liberal Movement" and by "New Hope – the Statesmanlike Right" (תקווה חדשה הימין הממלכתי), Gideon Sa'ar's party [2]. This makes it formally a joint list. The CEC filing names the submitting party for each candidate. Gideon Sa'ar (7) and Ze'ev Elkin (32) are listed as Likud candidates. The three candidates listed for New Hope are Talik Gvili (9), Ofir Saban (88) and Ehud Ninio (89) [2].

The partner, New Hope, and its history with Likud. New Hope was founded in December 2020 by Gideon Sa'ar after he left Likud, following a failed challenge to Netanyahu for the party leadership. At the time Sa'ar said Likud had become "a tool serving the personal interests of its leader" [8, 9]. The splits and reunions are, in order:

  • December 2020: Sa'ar leaves Likud and founds New Hope, joined by other former Likud figures including Ze'ev Elkin [8].
  • 2021: New Hope runs separately, wins 6 seats and joins the Bennett–Lapid government, with Sa'ar as justice minister [8].
  • July 2022: New Hope merges with Benny Gantz's Blue and White into the National Unity list for the 2022 election [10].
  • 12 March 2024: Sa'ar splits New Hope's 4 seats away from National Unity [10].
  • 29 September 2024: New Hope joins Netanyahu's government, bringing its four MKs into the coalition [11].
  • 13 March 2025: New Hope signs an agreement to merge into Likud ahead of the next election. Under the agreement the two run a joint slate, Sa'ar picks New Hope's first candidate, who is placed no lower than 15th, and New Hope members formally join Likud [9, 12].
  • 13 August 2025: Likud's Central Committee approves the merger. Sa'ar said it was "good to return home" [9].
  • 14 July 2026: The heads of the Likud and Statesmanlike Right (New Hope) factions agree to change the arrangement. Instead of actually merging the two factions in the outgoing 25th Knesset, they implement the agreement by running together on one candidate list for the 26th Knesset. This is how the Supreme Court described the change in its later ruling [91].

The full merger was therefore never completed in the Knesset. New Hope MK Sharren Haskel opposed the merger and refused to run on the joint list. On 19 July 2026 she petitioned the High Court of Justice to order the two parties to formally complete the merger. She argued that they had deliberately left it unfinished so that she could not split off as a one-member faction and take with her the state funding attached to her seat [13]. On 9 August 2026 the court, in a ruling written by Supreme Court President Yitzhak Amit, rejected the petition in full. It said that Haskel's delay in acting since March 2025 undermined her claim, and it accepted the factions' later choice of a joint run instead of a merger. Because the factions agreed on the joint run only after her petition, it did not order her to pay costs [91]. In August 2026 Likud's internal court likewise described Sa'ar's place on the list as "not actually a reservation, but rather a joint run of two factions within one list of candidates" [92]. The Knesset's member data still lists a separate four-member faction, "the Statesmanlike Right" (הימין הממלכתי), with Ze'ev Elkin, Akram Hasson, Michel Buskila and Sharren Haskel [5]. Haskel resigned as deputy foreign minister after voting against the July 2026 law freezing arrests of yeshiva students who did not report for service, and she now leads a separate party, "Israel First" [13, 14]. This document covers Likud. New Hope is researched separately.

סקרים

ממוצע הסקרים: 20.3% (נכון ל־2 באוקטובר 2026). מקור: Mean of 5 polls published 2026-09-28 to 2026-10-02

הסקרים שנכללו בממוצע
  • Lazar Research (led by Dr. Menachem Lazar) · Maariv · 2026-09-30–10-01 · 602 משיבים · טעות דגימה ±4.0% · פורסם ב־2 באוק׳ 2026
  • Next Data · Channel 14 (Arutz Achshav 14) · 2026-10-01 · 2145 משיבים · טעות דגימה ±2.1% · פורסם ב־1 באוק׳ 2026
  • Direct Polls (led by Tzuriel Sharon) · i24NEWS (Middle East News 24 Ltd.) · 2026-10-01 · 504 משיבים · טעות דגימה ±4.3% · פורסם ב־1 באוק׳ 2026
  • Maagar Mochot (led by Prof. Yitzhak Katz) · Channel 16 · 2026-09-29 · 550 משיבים · טעות דגימה ±4.2% · פורסם ב־29 בספט׳ 2026
  • Next Data · Channel 14 (Arutz Achshav 14) · 2026-09-28 · 573 משיבים · טעות דגימה ±4.1% · פורסם ב־28 בספט׳ 2026

Leadership and key candidates

Leader: Benjamin Netanyahu (born 1949). He served in the IDF's Sayeret Matkal unit, was Israel's ambassador to the UN (1984–1988), deputy foreign minister, foreign minister (2002–2003) and finance minister (2003–2005). He chaired Likud and led the opposition in 1993–1996 and again in 2005–2009, and has been prime minister in 1996–1999, 2009–2021 and since December 2022 [15]. Netanyahu heads the list, and for 2026 he secured the right to place eight candidates of his choice within the top 30 places [16].

How the list was chosen. Likud held a primary on 17 August 2026. 76,068 party members voted, a turnout of 53.5% [16]. Netanyahu said he was pleased with the result [16]. The Jerusalem Post's analysis was that members favoured experienced, loyal politicians [17]. Several sitting ministers, including May Golan, Gila Gamliel and Idit Silman, did not reach realistic places [16]. In the final CEC filing Gamliel is 25th, Golan 40th and Silman 46th [2]. Likud submitted a 35-person slate. Nine of its candidates were placed by Netanyahu, among them Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar and minister Haim Katz, and only four are women [6].

Top of the list (CEC filing) [2]:

  1. Benjamin Netanyahu, prime minister (see above).
  2. Eli (Eliyahu) Cohen, energy and infrastructure minister; came first in the 2026 primary [2, 16].
  3. Amir Ohana, Speaker of the 25th Knesset since December 2022. He was earlier justice minister and public security minister. Before politics he was a military police officer and worked for the Shin Bet. He chairs the Likud Pride group, which promotes LGBT equality inside the party [18].
  4. Yariv Levin, deputy prime minister and justice minister, a lawyer and former deputy head of the Israel Bar Association. He was Knesset Speaker in 2020–2021 [19]. He led the government's changes to the judicial system (see "Judicial system").
  5. Miri Regev, transportation minister [16].
  6. Israel Katz, defense minister [6, 20].
  7. Gideon Sa'ar, foreign minister and leader of New Hope, placed under the merger agreement [6, 9]. The CEC filing lists him as a Likud candidate [2]. In August 2026 Ynetnews reported that the merger agreement gave New Hope two places, one in the top five for Sa'ar and one for Michel Buskila [21]. Buskila does not appear anywhere on the 120-name CEC filing [2].
  8. Ofir Katz, coalition chair and chair of the Knesset House Committee [22].
  9. Talik Gvili (spelled טלי גואילי in the CEC filing), a newcomer placed by Netanyahu. She is the mother of Ran Gvili, a police officer who fell in battle on October 7; his body was taken to Gaza, and he was the last hostage whose remains were returned. The CEC filing lists her as New Hope's candidate [2, 6, 93, 117].
  10. Yoav Kisch [2].
  11. Jacob Bardugo, a lawyer, former head of the national lottery (Mifal HaPais) and commentator on Channel 14, placed by Netanyahu. He has never held elected office [23].

Other names on the list include Makhlouf (Miki) Zohar (12), Amichai Chikli (14), Haim Katz (18), David Amsalem (19), Boaz Bismuth (21), Shlomo Karhi (23), Nir Barkat (24) and Ze'ev Elkin (32) [2]. Haim Katz has served as construction and housing minister [24, 25]. Bismuth chairs the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee [26].

Departures before the election. Two Likud MKs left over the Haredi enlistment issue. Yuli Edelstein left the party in July 2026. A year earlier he had been removed as chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee for refusing to advance an enlistment bill that, in his view, lacked "significant enlistment targets, as well as personal and institutional sanctions" [27, 94]. Dan Illouz joined Yisrael Beytenu, saying it "represents the national and liberal values in which I believe" [28].

Positions on the issues

Cost of living

Formal commitment: Likud's campaign website lists a "free economy" as one of its six pillars: "free market, less regulation, more competition", so that every citizen can "earn with dignity" [3].

Action (imports and competition): As economy minister, Likud's Nir Barkat led the "What's good for Europe is good for Israel" reform. The Knesset passed it in August 2024. Products that meet European Union standards can now be imported and sold without extra Israeli requirements. Barkat called it "a reform that promises generational change" [29]. In October 2025 the State Comptroller, the official watchdog of government bodies, reported that three import reforms in four years, including this one, had not lowered the cost of living. He pointed to the lack of a clear enforcement policy and to small importers not entering the market. Barkat replied that the reforms were "already proving themselves" with more competition and falling prices [30].

Action (taxes): On 1 January 2025 Netanyahu's government raised VAT (the tax added to almost everything people buy) from 17% to 18%, as part of tax rises to cover wartime defense costs. The Knesset passed the 2025 budget on 25 March 2025, 66 to 52 [31]. The finance ministry is held by a coalition partner, Bezalel Smotrich of Religious Zionism, not by Likud [31].

Action (government-wide measures): In December 2025 the government approved Smotrich's dairy reform, which would cut milk prices by 15% and remove import tariffs on dairy products. Dairy farmers protested, and in February 2026 the Knesset's legal adviser recommended taking it out of the budget's accompanying law [32]. A Times of Israel analysis in September 2026 noted that economic issues were largely absent from the campaign. It described the dairy reform as unsuccessful and mentioned a recent tax cut that lowered fuel prices [33].

Statement: On its website Likud highlights figures such as 12-month inflation of 1.5% and a 0.5% fall in food prices in August 2026 [3].

Closest option(s): The party's stated approach and its main reform favour opening the market to competition and imports (open-market-competition-imports). Its government raised VAT rather than cutting it, so the evidence does not support cut-taxes-and-government-spending.

Crime in Arab society

Action: On 15 July 2026 the government approved a plan, proposed by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Social Equality Minister May Golan (Likud) and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir (Otzma Yehudit), that brings the Shin Bet (Israel's internal security service) into the fight against organized crime in Arab communities. The plan moves about NIS 497 million from "Plan 550", a five-year NIS 30 billion programme set up in 2021 to develop Arab communities. According to The Jerusalem Post, about NIS 364.5 million goes to the Shin Bet for a unit against weapons smuggling, with funds for 130 more staff, and about NIS 132.4 million goes to a national police unit; The Times of Israel gives the Shin Bet figure as NIS 345 million [34, 108]. Netanyahu said that combining the Shin Bet's "intelligence, operational and technological abilities" with police action would "restore personal security to citizens" [34]. Human rights groups and Arab community organizations objected, arguing that crime among Jewish citizens is handled by ordinary policing [34].

Action: Earlier, on 14 December 2025, ministers moved NIS 220 million from the same development programme to the police [35]. Golan had originally asked for NIS 3.1 billion [35].

Closest option(s): Using extraordinary measures, including the Shin Bet, funded partly by moving money out of Arab community development (emergency-powers-shin-bet). No Likud position specifically on holding crime bosses without trial was found in the sources reviewed.

Gaza Strip policy

Action / Statement: On 29 September 2025 Netanyahu accepted President Trump's plan to end the Gaza war, saying it "achieves our war aims": "Hamas will be disarmed. Gaza will be demilitarized." He said the Palestinian Authority "can have no role whatsoever in Gaza without undergoing a radical and genuine transformation", that Israel "will retain security responsibility, including a security perimeter for the foreseeable future", and that further withdrawals would be "linked to the extent of disarmament and demilitarization". He also said that if Hamas rejected the plan, "Israel will finish the job by itself" [36].

Action: On 28 May 2026 Netanyahu said: "At this point, we are fully in control of 60% of the territory of the Gaza Strip… and my directive is to get to… 70%." When an audience member called for 100%, he answered "First 70%… we'll start with that" [37]. The Times of Israel reported this as going well beyond the ceasefire lines [37]. A May 2026 letter from the US-led Board of Peace said Israel's ceasefire commitments would become "null and void" if Hamas did not accept the disarmament framework, and Hamas had largely refused to give up all its weapons [38].

Statement: Defense Minister Israel Katz (Likud) said on 27 May 2026 that Israel is advancing a plan for "voluntary emigration" from Gaza, "everything at the right time and in the right manner" [39]. At the state October 7 memorial on 5 October 2026 Netanyahu said "In Gaza there will not be any Hamas rule" and that everyone involved in the attack is "living on borrowed time" [40].

Context (plan and practice): The plan Netanyahu accepted in September 2025 provided for further Israeli withdrawals, which he said would be linked to Hamas's disarmament, and he said then that Israel would "finish the job by itself" if Hamas rejected the plan [36]. In May 2026 he said he had ordered the IDF to expand its control of Gaza from 60% to 70%, which The Times of Israel reported as going well beyond the terms of the ceasefire [37]. By then Hamas had largely refused to give up all its weapons, and the Board of Peace had said Israel's truce commitments would become "null and void" in that case [38]. Because the withdrawals were conditional on a disarmament that had not happened, this is recorded as context and not as a contradiction between a pledge and an action.

Closest option(s): Holding positions and keeping military pressure until Hamas disarms, with Israel keeping security control and not relying on foreign forces (hold-positions-disarmament-first). Some actions and statements, such as expanding control and the defense minister's talk of voluntary emigration, go further, towards resume-fighting-full-control. The evidence is mixed.

Haredi military enlistment

Background. The legal exemption for yeshiva students expired in 2023, and in June 2024 the Supreme Court ruled that they must be called up like everyone else [41].

Action (the "Bismuth outline"): On 23 July 2025 Likud's Knesset members voted 29 to 4 to remove Yuli Edelstein as chair of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and replace him with Likud MK Boaz Bismuth. The IDI says Netanyahu decided on the change [26, 94]. On 28 October 2025 Bismuth published an outline for a new law. According to the IDI, it set first-year enlistment targets of 4,800, rising to 8,500 by the fifth year, before a 25% "safety net" margin is applied. It kept the exemption age at 26 and would phase sanctions in gradually while lifting the existing sanctions once the law passed [26]. The IDI argued that the bill "does not establish a general and equal enlistment duty for Haredim comparable to that applied to other sectors" [26]. Bismuth called the bill historic, and the IDI notes that Netanyahu shared his position, while some Likud MKs opposed it [41]. In March 2026 Netanyahu and Smotrich said they were setting the bill aside during the Iran war, and Bismuth said it would be completed after the war [41]. In May 2026 Netanyahu's office offered to resume committee work on the bill. The Haredi parties rejected the latest version, and it never passed [42, 43].

Action (arrest freeze): On 14 July 2026 the Knesset passed, 58 to 54, a temporary law freezing arrests, investigations and enforcement against yeshiva students who did not report for service [14, 44]. The Knesset record shows 26 Likud MKs voting for it and two, Dan Illouz and Yuli Edelstein, voting against; New Hope's Sharren Haskel also voted against, and Netanyahu is not recorded as voting [102]. The Jerusalem Post reported that he was in the chamber earlier but left before the vote [14]. The law's text ran until 30 November 2026 [44]. The High Court of Justice froze the law the next day [44] and struck it down on 3 September 2026 [116].

Action (Basic Law: Torah Study): On 13 July 2026 the coalition passed a basic law declaring Torah study a "foundational value", 63 to 52 (see "Religion and state") [45].

Statement: In early August 2026, according to Kan and N12 reports cited by The Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu said the arrest-freeze law had been unsuccessful and would not be continued. He said it had been meant to "lower the flames and increase the number of recruits among the haredi public", and that draft-eligible men who do not study Torah would have to "enlist or go to prison". He promised a "broad national government" that would pass a "full conscription law that meets the IDF's needs" [46]. On its website Likud says 4,298 Haredim enlisted in the latest year, up 53% from 2,811 [3].

Change over time: In July 2026 Netanyahu's coalition passed, 58 to 54, a law freezing arrests of draft-eligible yeshiva students, with 26 Likud MKs voting for it and two against [14, 102]. In early August 2026, after that vote, Netanyahu said he wants a conscription law that "meets the IDF's needs" and that draft-eligible men who do not study Torah will "enlist or go to prison" [46]. His own explanation, reported at the same time, is that the law was meant to "lower the flames and increase the number of recruits among the haredi public", that it had not succeeded and that it would not be continued [46]. The bill advanced by Likud's own committee chair is one that the IDI says "does not establish a general and equal enlistment duty for Haredim" [26].

Closest option(s): Gradual enlistment targets agreed with Haredi leaders, with limited and phased sanctions (gradual-targets-by-agreement). The arrest freeze and the Torah-study basic law also lean towards anchor-torah-study-exemption, while Netanyahu's campaign statements lean the other way. The evidence is mixed.

Housing

Formal commitment: Likud's "society and periphery" pillar promises investment in "the periphery, housing, health and infrastructure" [3].

Action: Likud's Haim Katz has headed the Construction and Housing Ministry since Yitzhak Goldknopf (United Torah Judaism) resigned from it in mid-2025, first as interim minister [24, 25]. On 10 August 2026 Netanyahu, Katz and Smotrich announced "From Reserve Duty to a Key": about 20,000 discounted homes and building plots for IDF reservists in 2026–2027, including about 16,000 apartments through the "Target Price" programme (discounted apartments sold by lottery) and 4,000 plots. Reservists get priority for 75% of apartments, discounts can exceed NIS 500,000, and plots in national priority areas near the borders are exempt from land-value payments [24]. Netanyahu said reservists "give everything for the country, and they deserve everything" [24].

Statement: Likud's website points to a 1.2% annual fall in home prices in June–July 2026 [3].

Closest option(s): Direct help for buyers through discounted-price programmes and grants to those who served (direct-help-for-buyers), with some emphasis on the periphery (develop-periphery-and-transport). No specific Likud plan to speed up planning or to build state rental housing was found.

Iran, Hezbollah and the region

Action: On 28 February 2026 Netanyahu announced "Operation Roaring Lion", a joint operation with the United States against Iran. He spoke of removing "the existential threat posed to Israel by the regime", said "we will strike thousands of targets belonging to the terrorist regime" and urged Iranians to seize a "once-in-a-generation chance" [47]. When the US and Iran agreed a ceasefire in April 2026, Netanyahu said it "could turn on a dime" and that Israel backed Trump's naval blockade of Iran [48]. On 11 June 2026 he said "Israel is not a party" to the US–Iran memorandum of understanding, and set out what he expected from a final deal: removal of enriched nuclear material, dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, limits on missile production and an end to Iran's support for its regional allies [49].

Action (Lebanon): After Hezbollah joined the war, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on 24 March 2026 that the IDF would hold a "security zone" up to the Litani River and that "where there is terror and missiles, there will be no homes and no residents" [50]. On 9 April 2026 Netanyahu announced direct negotiations with Lebanon, aimed at disarming Hezbollah and reaching peace, while saying there would be "no ceasefire in Lebanon" during the talks [51]. A US-brokered framework agreed in June 2026 provides for a gradual Israeli withdrawal, Hezbollah's disarmament and the deployment of the Lebanese army. As of late September 2026 implementation had stalled, Hezbollah had not disarmed and Israel kept positions in southern Lebanon [52].

Statement: On 5 October 2026 Netanyahu said Iran "is the weakest that it has been since its founding", that Israel would keep striking Hezbollah while working towards peace with Lebanon, and that Israel "still has more missions before it" [40]. Likud's "Israel in the world" pillar promises to expand "the circle of peace" and strategic alliances [3].

Closest option(s): Keeping up military pressure while negotiating, and turning it into US-backed deals with security guarantees before pulling back (force-plus-us-backed-agreements). The refusal of a ceasefire in Lebanon during talks and the open-ended security zone also reflect military-pressure-until-threats-removed.

Judea and Samaria

Formal commitment: Likud's "Jerusalem and the Land of Israel" pillar says "United Jerusalem is Israel's capital forever" and promises "strengthening settlement and sovereignty throughout the land" [3].

Action (settlements): On 11 September 2025 Netanyahu signed a framework to speed up building in Ma'ale Adumim, including the 3,412-home E1 plan east of Jerusalem, saying "There will be no Palestinian state; this place belongs to us" [53]. In June 2026 the cabinet was reported to be set to fund the de facto establishment of 61 new settlements, backed by Smotrich [54]. In August 2026 the Housing Ministry, headed by Likud's Haim Katz, published a tender for 1,234 homes in E1, which led several European countries to consider sanctions [24, 55].

Action (applying sovereignty): On 23 July 2025 the Knesset passed, 71 to 13, a non-binding motion calling on the government to apply Israeli sovereignty to the settlements. It was co-sponsored by Likud MK Dan Illouz, among others, and was backed across the coalition, including Likud. Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana said: "This is our land… Jews cannot be the 'occupier' of a land that for 3,000 years has been called Judea" [56]. On 22 October 2025, during US Vice President JD Vance's visit, two bills to apply sovereignty passed preliminary votes, one of them 25 to 24. Nearly all Likud MKs stayed away from the vote. The Knesset record for the 25–24 vote shows one Likud MK, Yuli Edelstein, voting for the broader bill, which gave it its one-vote margin, and one Likud MK present but not voting [115]. Netanyahu's office called it "a deliberate political provocation by the opposition" and said "without Likud support these bills are unlikely to go anywhere" [57]. The next day, President Trump said Israel "would lose all of its support from the United States" if it applied sovereignty to (in his word, annexed) the territory [57].

Action (coalition-line votes on opposition bills): Likud MKs voted against bills by Yisrael Beytenu MKs to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley on 15 March 2023 (rejected 66 to 14, with 26 Likud MKs against) and on 22 January 2025 (rejected 56 to 32, with 27 Likud MKs against), and against a bill to apply sovereignty to Beitar Illit on 31 December 2025 (rejected 45 to 8, with three MKs present but not voting and 20 Likud MKs against). No Likud MK voted for any of the three [104, 105, 106]. Before the 2023 vote the Ministerial Committee for Legislation had decided that the coalition would not support the bill and put off its decision by six months; replying for the government, Minister Orit Strock (Religious Zionism) called it a "trolling bill" and said "the whole coalition supports sovereignty. We will advance it at the appropriate time" [107].

Statement: Speaking about the Gaza plan in September 2025, Netanyahu said recognizing a Palestinian state would "reward terror, undermine security, and endanger Israel's very existence" [36]. In August 2026 Likud said a right-wing government was needed to keep the "historic momentum in the settlement of Judea and Samaria" [58].

Contradiction: The coalition agreement between Likud and the Religious Zionist Party, signed on 28 December 2022, says in clause 118 that "the Prime Minister will lead the formulation and advancement of a policy under which sovereignty will be applied in Judea and Samaria, while choosing the timing and weighing all the national and international interests of the State of Israel" [118]. Likud's 2026 platform page promises "strengthening… sovereignty throughout the land" [3], and Likud backed the July 2025 non-binding sovereignty motion [56]. But when actual sovereignty bills came to a vote in October 2025, Likud stayed away (apart from Edelstein) and Netanyahu's office called them a provocation. The votes took place during a US vice-presidential visit, and the US president came out against applying sovereignty the next day [57]. Likud MKs also voted with the coalition against opposition bills to apply sovereignty to the Jordan Valley (March 2023 and January 2025) and to Beitar Illit (December 2025) [104, 105, 106]. The reason given for the government in 2023 was that the coalition supports sovereignty and would advance it "at the appropriate time" [107].

Closest option(s): Strengthening and expanding settlements, with no Palestinian state, while not in practice applying sovereignty (maintain-current-situation). The party's stated platform and its rhetoric point towards applying sovereignty (full-sovereignty or partial-sovereignty-area-c), but its votes so far have not followed through. The evidence is mixed.

Judicial system

Background. Yariv Levin, who became justice minister in December 2022, had said before the 2022 election that he wanted to "end rule by judges". He backed moving the choice of judges to elected politicians and letting a 61-MK majority re-enact laws the Supreme Court strikes down [59].

Action: In July 2023 the coalition passed a law barring courts from reviewing government decisions on the grounds of "reasonableness". On 1 January 2024 the Supreme Court struck it down by 8 to 7, the first time it annulled part of a basic law [60]. On 27 March 2025 the Knesset passed the law changing the Judicial Selection Committee (an amendment to Basic Law: The Judiciary), 67 to 1, after the opposition boycotted the vote. It changes the nine-member committee that picks judges so that six members are politicians, and it requires coalition and opposition agreement on Supreme Court appointments. It takes effect when the next Knesset begins [61]. Judicial appointments were frozen for about 18 months until the High Court ordered Levin to move ahead. 79 judges and registrars were sworn in in September 2026, and Levin called it "a revolution in the human composition" of the courts [62].

Action (attorney general): In June 2025 the government changed the procedure for dismissing the attorney general, the government's top legal adviser, and on 4 August 2025 it voted unanimously to fire Gali Baharav-Miara. Levin said: "You cannot force the government to remain with an oppositional attorney general on procedural, technical grounds" [63] and "The government, and only the government, will decide who its legal adviser will be" [64]. On 14 December 2025 a seven-justice panel of the Supreme Court unanimously cancelled both decisions [65]. On 15 July 2026 the Knesset passed a law, sponsored by Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionism), that lets the government disregard the attorney general's legal opinions except in some criminal matters, ends her exclusive right to present the state's position in court, and gives the justice minister oversight of her work. It takes effect on 1 January 2027 [66].

Closest option(s): Giving elected officials more say in choosing judges, cutting the courts' power over government decisions, and ending the binding force of the attorney general's opinions (continue-judicial-changes).

October 7 inquiry

Statement: Netanyahu opposes a state commission of inquiry, whose members are picked by the President of the Supreme Court. He proposes instead a "democratic and balanced" commission, with half its members chosen by the government and half by the opposition [67]. In February 2026 he published a 55-page response to the State Comptroller's October 7 investigation, saying he had repeatedly pushed to kill Hamas leaders while security chiefs had opposed it [67]. The Supreme Court had frozen the State Comptroller's investigation in December 2025, six days after Netanyahu submitted his response to it, and Netanyahu has called for it to resume [67]. The investigation has produced no finding, so it is not listed under Legal or ethical matters.

Action: On 16 November 2025, instead of setting up a state commission, the government formed a ministerial committee, headed by Levin, to decide on the inquiry's mandate [68]. On 19 November 2025 the High Court of Justice issued an order requiring the government to explain why it had not set up a state commission [68]. In December 2025 Likud MK Ariel Kallner, acting for Netanyahu, presented a bill for a six-member commission. The Knesset would first try to agree on all members by an 80-MK majority. If that failed, the coalition and the opposition would each pick three, with two co-chairs, and four representatives of bereaved families would oversee the work. If the opposition refused to take part, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana would appoint its members. Kallner said "all state systems should be examined — political, security, and judicial" [69]. The Knesset's legal advisers warned that letting the government set the topics would undermine an independent investigation, and that an even number of members could lead to deadlock [70]. By mid-July 2026 the bill had passed a first reading in the Knesset [45].

Closest option(s): A commission picked through the Knesset, split between coalition and opposition, with bereaved families involved (commission-appointed-by-knesset-balance).

Religion and state

Formal commitment: Likud's "education, identity and heritage" pillar speaks of "connection to Israel's heritage" and "pride in a Jewish democratic state" [3].

Action (coalition agreements): Likud's December 2022 coalition agreement with United Torah Judaism promised legislation on "the value of Torah studies" and further military exemptions for full-time religious study. It also allowed "gender-segregated public events" and set up a panel to review eligibility under the Law of Return [71].

Action (Basic Law: Torah Study): On 13 July 2026 the Knesset passed Basic Law: Torah Study, 63 to 52. The law, sponsored by the Haredi parties, declares Torah study "a foundational value in the heritage of the Jewish people and the state of Israel" [72, 73]. The Knesset record shows 28 Likud MKs voting for it and two, Edelstein and Illouz, voting against; Netanyahu is not recorded as voting [45, 103]. Earlier wording was dropped before the final vote. Under it, those devoted to Torah study would have been "deemed… as persons who are performing meaningful service for the state of Israel and the Jewish people", and Torah study would have been "balanced with other foundational values". The Knesset's legal advisers had warned that the balancing wording could lead to benefits like those given to people who serve in the IDF [45, 73].

Dated background (2018; LGBT and family law): In July 2018 Netanyahu publicly backed surrogacy rights for single men, which would have included gay couples, and then voted against the measure two days later. The Times of Israel linked this to pressure from the Haredi parties [74]. Amir Ohana, number 3 on the list, chairs the Likud Pride group [18].

No Likud bill or formal position on Shabbat public transport, civil marriage or conversion was found in the sources reviewed.

Closest option(s): Keeping the current arrangements mostly as they are (keep-status-quo). Supporting the Torah-study basic law and the coalition commitments to the Haredi parties go somewhat towards strengthen-jewish-character, but no Likud move to enforce Shabbat by law or add religious law to state law was found.

Other notable positions

Death penalty for terrorists

Action: On 30 March 2026 the Knesset passed, 62 to 48 with one abstention (The Times of Israel reported 62 to 47), a law sponsored by Itamar Ben Gvir (Otzma Yehudit). It makes death by hanging the default sentence for Palestinians from Judea and Samaria convicted in military courts of deadly terror attacks. Judges may give life imprisonment only in "special circumstances". For Israeli citizens it applies only to killing "with the aim of denying the existence of the State of Israel" [75]. Netanyahu, who had earlier voiced reservations and whose office pushed for softer wording, voted in favour, as did all 31 Likud MKs who voted [75, 99].

Action: Late on 11 May 2026 the Knesset voted 93 to 0 for a law setting up a special military court to try about 300 people captured during the October 7 attack. It allows the death penalty for those convicted of genocide. Justice Minister Levin called it "one of the most important moments of the current Knesset" [76, 100].

Media and the public broadcaster

Action: Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi (Likud) has pushed a bill to close the public broadcaster Kan if no private buyer is found within two years. He has refused to appoint members to Kan's council, which blocked approval of its budget. The coalition also moved a bill on overseeing Kan's budget from the Economics Committee to the Finance Committee, which is headed by a Netanyahu ally. Karhi said the bill would move control from "bureaucrats and legal advisers" to elected representatives [77]. On 16 July 2026 the coalition passed Karhi's broadcasting law, 53 to 48 with two abstentions [101]. It expands government regulation of broadcasting, eases cross-ownership limits and removes some content requirements. Karhi said it would bring "more diversity, more freedom, more right-wing coverage and less regulation". Petitions against it were filed at the High Court [78]. Jacob Bardugo, number 11 on the list, has called for closing Kan [23].

Free-market economy and technology

Formal commitment: Likud presents itself as the party of a "free market, less regulation, more competition" [3].

Statement: On its website Likud highlights an August 2026 unemployment rate of 2.8%, tech exports of about $85 billion in 2025 and around 775 new start-ups in 2025. It also lists NIS 1.5 billion for a science and maths education initiative ("Israel Realit") and new medical and computer-science faculties in Haifa [3].

Defense build-up and the reservists

Formal commitment: Likud's first pillar is "security without compromise": "a strong IDF, decisive action against the enemy, and security for every citizen" [3].

Action / Statement: Likud points to the delivery of the Iron Beam laser air-defense system in December 2025 and to defense exports of $19.2 billion in 2025 [3]. The government's reservist housing programme gives reservists priority for 75% of discounted apartments [24]. Officials cited NIS 25 billion in earlier assistance to reservists and their families [24].

Jerusalem

Formal commitment: "United Jerusalem is Israel's capital forever" [3]. At the September 2025 signing of the Ma'ale Adumim plan, next to Jerusalem, Netanyahu pledged to "double the city's population", referring to Ma'ale Adumim [53].

Foreign relations and peace agreements

Formal commitment: Likud promises to expand "the circle of peace", strengthen strategic alliances and make Israel a regional and technological power [3].

Statement: Netanyahu describes the alliance with the United States as being at "an all-time high" [47] and has rejected claims of a rift with the US administration [48]. He has opposed recognition of a Palestinian state [36, 53].

LGBT rights

Statement: Amir Ohana, number 3 on the list, chairs the Likud Pride group, which promotes equal rights for LGBT people within the party [18].

Contradiction (2018, dated background): In July 2018 Netanyahu said that denying surrogacy to single fathers "simply isn't fair", then voted against the amendment two days later [74]. The Times of Israel linked the vote to pressure from the Haredi parties in his coalition [74]. This item is older than 2021 and does not decide any of the positions above; it is kept because the pledge and the vote were two days apart.

Arab communities and development funds

Action: The Likud-led government has moved a total of about NIS 717 million from the Plan 550 development programme for Arab communities to policing and the Shin Bet: NIS 220 million in December 2025 and about NIS 497 million in July 2026 [34, 35]. The scope is specific: the money is taken from a programme for Arab communities and used for law enforcement in those communities.

Coalition stance

Stated preferences for 2026.

  • Statement (24 August 2026): Netanyahu warned right-wing voters against "splinter parties that will only burn our votes", saying fragmentation "guarantees the rise of the left" [79].
  • Statement (28 August 2026): Netanyahu called on Smotrich's Religious Zionism and Ben Gvir's Otzma Yehudit to run together "to save the right-wing bloc". When Ben Gvir refused, Likud said he had decided "to coronate a left-wing government of Gadi Eisenkot" [58].
  • Statement (early August 2026): Netanyahu promised to form a "broad national government" after the election [46].
  • Statement (October 2026): Gideon Sa'ar said Likud would try to widen a coalition beyond its current bloc even with a 61-seat majority. The Jerusalem Post mentioned Yashar and Yisrael Beytenu as possible additions [80].
  • Action: Likud signed a surplus-vote agreement with Religious Zionism. Otzma Yehudit said Likud had refused to sign one with it [81].
  • Statement (21 July 2026): A Likud campaign ad said Eisenkot "has no government without Yair Golan and the Arab parties", presenting dependence on Arab parties as a reason to oppose him [82].

No explicit 2026 pledge by Likud ruling a specific party in or out was found in the sources reviewed.

Track record on coalition pledges.

  • 2020: Netanyahu signed a rotation agreement with Benny Gantz under which Gantz would become prime minister in November 2021. The government fell in December 2020 when no budget passed, before the rotation took place. Gantz accused Netanyahu of blocking the budget to avoid the rotation, and Netanyahu said Gantz had "walked back his agreements" [83].
  • 2022: After the November 2022 election, Netanyahu formed a coalition with Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionism, Noam, Shas and United Torah Judaism. Otzma Yehudit was the first to sign [71, 84].
  • October 2023: After the October 7 attack Netanyahu invited the opposition into an emergency government, and Gantz's National Unity joined [10, 85].

Track record

Likud has led the government since December 2022. Item by item:

  • Judicial changes (coalition agreement commitment [71]): Partly delivered. The reasonableness law was struck down [60]. The judicial selection law passed but only takes effect in the next Knesset [61]. The law weakening the attorney general's opinions passed and takes effect on 1 January 2027 [66]. The attempt to fire the attorney general was cancelled by the Supreme Court [65].
  • Haredi exemption law (coalition agreement commitment [71]): Not delivered. The Bismuth bill never reached a final vote [43]. The Torah-study basic law passed without its service-equivalence clause [73]. The temporary arrest freeze passed, but the High Court of Justice froze it the next day and struck it down on 3 September 2026 [44, 116].
  • Gaza war aims ("Hamas will be disarmed. Gaza will be demilitarized" [36]): The remains of the last hostage were returned on 26 January 2026, according to Likud [3]. Hamas had not disarmed as of May 2026, and Israel controls more than half of Gaza [37, 38].
  • Iran: Israel and the US went to war with Iran in February 2026 [47]. As of June 2026 Netanyahu was still setting conditions for a final US–Iran deal that had not yet been agreed [49].
  • Lebanon: A framework for Hezbollah's disarmament and Israeli withdrawal was agreed in June 2026, but its implementation had stalled as of September 2026 [52].
  • Cost of living: The import reform passed [29], but the State Comptroller found that import reforms had not lowered prices [30]. VAT rose to 18% [31].
  • Settlements: The E1 plan was approved and tendered [53, 55]. Sovereignty, part of the 2026 platform, was not applied [57].
  • October 7 accountability: No commission of inquiry of any kind had been set up as of mid-July 2026 [45, 68].

Legal or ethical matters involving leaders

Benjamin Netanyahu: criminal trial (ongoing). The attorney general indicted Netanyahu in three cases, and his trial in the Jerusalem District Court is ongoing [86]. The charges are fraud and breach of trust in all three cases and bribery in Case 4000 [86]:

  • Case 1000: receiving gifts worth hundreds of thousands of shekels from Hollywood producer Arnon Milchan, allegedly in return for favours.
  • Case 2000: alleged contacts with Yedioth Ahronoth publisher Arnon Mozes about favourable coverage in exchange for legislation to weaken the rival Israel Hayom.
  • Case 4000: allegedly approving regulatory decisions worth hundreds of millions of shekels to Bezeq's controlling shareholder Shaul Elovitch in return for favourable coverage on the Walla news site.

Netanyahu denies all the charges. He finished his testimony on 24 June 2026 after 98 hearings that began on 10 December 2024 [86]. The trial resumed after the summer recess in early September 2026 with the remaining defense witnesses for Netanyahu and his three co-defendants, before a three-judge panel headed by Judge Rivka Friedman-Feldman. From 4 October 2026 hearings are scheduled five days a week. The judges have said they see "evidentiary difficulties in proving bribery" in Case 4000 and suggested the prosecution consider withdrawing that charge, but as of September 2026 the charge had not been changed. No verdict has been given [95].

Pardon request (pending). In November 2025 Netanyahu asked President Isaac Herzog for a pardon before any verdict. According to the reports, he did not admit guilt. The Justice Ministry's pardons department recommended against a pardon, while Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, standing in for Justice Minister Levin, submitted a position paper in favour on 24 March 2026. The president's legal adviser is preparing a recommendation [87]. On 26 April 2026 President Herzog said that before addressing the pardon request, "efforts should first be exhausted to reach an agreement between the parties, outside the courtroom" [96]. No decision on the pardon was found as of 12 October 2026.

State commission on the submarine affair (ongoing). A state commission of inquiry chaired by retired Supreme Court President Asher Grunis is examining decisions on buying submarines and naval vessels between 2009 and 2016. In June 2024 Netanyahu received a warning letter, a formal notice that he may be harmed by its findings. The commission said it was considering whether his conduct "seriously disrupted established decision-making processes and created risks to national security", and it scheduled hearings for 1 November to 31 December 2026 [88].

International Criminal Court warrant (act of an international court, not an Israeli proceeding; outstanding). On 21 November 2024 the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over the Gaza war, at the same time as a warrant for Hamas commander Mohammed Deif [89]. The ICC's official case page, as captured on 6 October 2026, lists the warrant as issued on 21 November 2024 and gives Netanyahu's status as "at large", meaning the warrant has not been carried out. It says the charges allege responsibility for the war crimes of starvation as a method of warfare and of intentionally directing an attack against the civilian population, and for the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution and other inhumane acts, from at least 8 October 2023 until at least 20 May 2024 [97]. When it issued the warrants, the ICC's Pre-Trial Chamber also rejected challenges by Israel to the court's jurisdiction [98].

Haim Katz (number 18; construction and housing minister): conviction (closed). On 7 February 2022 a Jerusalem magistrates' court approved a plea agreement under which Katz was convicted of conspiracy to achieve a legitimate goal by forbidden means, over legislation he had promoted about a decade earlier. He received a six-month suspended sentence and a NIS 75,000 fine. The prosecution said the offence carried no moral turpitude and involved no corruption [90].

Miri Regev (number 5; transportation minister): police investigation (reported completed; no decision). On 10 June 2024 the police's national fraud unit (Lahav 433) opened a criminal investigation, approved by the attorney general and the state attorney, on suspicion of fraud and breach of trust at the Transportation Ministry, and searched the ministry. It followed a television investigation into how the ministry under Regev set priorities among local authorities. Regev called the report "invented" [113]. On 1 February 2026 JDN reported that the unit had finished the investigation [114]. No formal decision to close the case or to file charges was found as of 12 October 2026.

May Golan (number 40; social equality minister): police investigation (with the prosecution; no decision). A police investigation by the national fraud unit (Lahav 433) became public in September 2025. The offences investigated included bribery, fraud and breach of trust, obtaining a benefit by deceit, forgery and obstruction of justice, and the suspicions centre on the alleged use of public money for private purposes, fictitious employment and an association Golan founded before entering politics. Golan refused to report for questioning and has publicly attacked the investigation. On 10 June 2026 the police passed the file to the prosecution, saying there was enough evidence to charge her and people close to her [112]. No decision by the prosecution on an indictment was found as of 12 October 2026.

State Comptroller vote (court ruling; police investigation of affidavits). In June 2026 the Knesset elected Michael Rabello, Netanyahu's long-time lawyer, as state comptroller. In July 2026 the High Court of Justice annulled the election, ruling that at least six coalition MKs who recorded their votes had breached the requirement of a secret ballot, and ordered a new vote [109, 110]. Several Likud MKs filed affidavits to the court saying they had not been instructed how to vote; Sharren Haskel, then a New Hope MK, stated in an affidavit that her faction's MKs were told to film their votes and show them to the prime minister [109]. The attorney general directed the police to examine the conflicting affidavits, and on 25 August 2026 The Times of Israel reported that the conflicting testimonies had led to a criminal investigation into possible perjury [109, 111]. No report names a suspect. As of 19 August 2026 the Knesset had not held the new vote; Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana (number 3) said he was "glad and proud" that the Knesset had not complied with the ruling [110]. Current status: the police investigation of the conflicting affidavits is the latest reported step; no later report of a suspect being named, an indictment, a closed case or a new vote was found as of 12 October 2026.

Shlomo Karhi (number 23; communications minister): Knesset Ethics Committee (decided). On 12 May 2026 the Ethics Committee decided that Karhi had breached his duty to supervise his parliamentary adviser, after complaints about the adviser's outburst at an opposition MK, his cursing a journalist and taking the journalist's phone, and his spreading a false advertisement about another MK. It was the first time the committee applied its decision of principle on members' responsibility for their advisers. Because the adviser had already been disciplined, the committee imposed only a remark (הערה) on Karhi and said a future breach would bring a heavier sanction (decision 53/25) [119].

Miki Zohar (number 12) and May Golan (number 40): Knesset Ethics Committee (decided). On 12 May 2026 the Ethics Committee decided on Knesset members' absences from sittings in the winter and summer sittings of the 25th Knesset's third session (decision 51/25). It found that Zohar, a minister who is not a Knesset member, had been absent from eight sittings beyond the quota the law and the committee allow. Zohar did not respond. The committee noted that it was the first time he had exceeded the quota and imposed a remark (הערה) and the loss of one day's salary. In the same decision it found that Golan had been absent from five sittings beyond the quota in the winter sitting. Golan said, among other things, that ministers are released from attending on Tuesdays, that she had been ill for a week and that she had attended a conference on her ministry's work. The committee accepted the conference as a reasonable explanation and did not accept the others, noted that it was the first time she had exceeded the quota, and imposed a warning (אזהרה) [120].

Checked: Court and prosecution reporting on the other top candidates (Eli Cohen, Amir Ohana, Yariv Levin, Israel Katz, Ofir Katz, Gideon Sa'ar) in the sources reviewed. No indictments, convictions or official inquiries naming them personally were found. This was not an exhaustive search of every candidate, and Knesset Ethics Committee decisions on individual Likud MKs were not searched one by one.

Sources

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  44. Law to Freeze the Arrest of Haredi Draft Evaders (Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz). Israel Democracy Institute, 1 July 2026 (updated after passage). https://en.idi.org.il/articles/64881
  45. Netanyahu again skips controversial vote as Torah study law passes: 'Blow to IDF during wartime'. Ynetnews, 13 July 2026. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b13rb3mvfe
  46. Israel Police declare haredi anti-draft protest in Jerusalem disruptive after major road blocked. The Jerusalem Post, 2 August 2026 (updated 3 August 2026). https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-904367
  47. Prime Minister Netanyahu Announces Operation Roaring Lion (statement text). Jewish Virtual Library, 28 February 2026. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/prime-minister-netanyahu-announces-operation-roaring-lion
  48. Netanyahu: Ceasefire could end at any moment, we back Trump's blockade of Iran. The Times of Israel, 13 April 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-ceasefire-could-end-at-any-moment-we-back-trumps-blockade-of-iran/
  49. Netanyahu says Israel not party to Iran deal, but praises Trump for 'commitment' to thwarting nukes. The Times of Israel, 11 June 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-says-israel-not-party-to-iran-deal-but-praises-trump-for-commitment-to-thwarting-nukes/
  50. Katz says Israel will hold 'security zone' in south Lebanon until Hezbollah threat removed. The Times of Israel (live blog), 24 March 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/katz-says-israel-will-hold-security-zone-in-south-lebanon-until-hezbollah-threat-removed/
  51. Israel says peace talks with Lebanon to begin ASAP, rejects calls for truce first. The Times of Israel, 9 April 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-says-peace-talks-with-lebanon-to-begin-asap-rejects-calls-for-truce-first/
  52. Lebanese PM meets Rubio, stresses need for IDF withdrawal, Hezbollah disarmament. The Times of Israel, 28 September 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/lebanese-pm-meets-rubio-stresses-need-for-idf-withdrawal-hezbollah-disarmament/
  53. 'There will be no Palestinian state': PM signs plan cementing E1 settlement expansion. The Times of Israel, 11 September 2025. https://www.timesofisrael.com/there-will-be-no-palestinian-state-pm-signs-plan-cementing-e1-settlement-expansion/
  54. Cabinet set to back de facto establishment of 61 West Bank settlements — report. The Times of Israel (live blog), 11 June 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/cabinet-set-to-back-de-facto-establishment-of-61-west-bank-settlemeents/
  55. European countries weigh sanctions against Israel after E1 housing tender ignites diplomatic storm. Ynetnews, 19 August 2026. https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1zobq7pfx
  56. Knesset votes 71-13 for non-binding motion calling to annex West Bank. The Times of Israel, 23 July 2025. https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-votes-71-13-for-non-binding-motion-calling-to-annex-west-bank/
  57. Israel would lose 'all support' from the US if it annexes West Bank, Trump warns. The Times of Israel, 23 October 2025. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-would-lose-all-support-from-the-us-if-it-annexes-west-bank-trump-warns/
  58. Ben Gvir refuses Netanyahu's demand to merge with Smotrich; Likud: He's crowning Eisenkot. The Times of Israel, 28 August 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/ben-gvir-rejects-pms-demand-to-merge-with-smotrich-drawing-scathing-response-from-likud/
  59. Likud voters just handed Netanyahu a mandate to remake the judicial system. The Times of Israel, 11 August 2022. https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-voters-just-handed-netanyahu-a-mandate-to-remake-the-judicial-system/
  60. In historic 1st, High Court strikes down Basic Law amendment, voiding reasonableness law. The Times of Israel (live blog), 1 January 2024. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/in-historic-1st-high-court-strikes-down-basic-law-amendment-voiding-reasonableness-law/
  61. Knesset passes Judicial Selection Law. Globes, 27 March 2025. https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-1001506201
  62. Seventy-nine judicial appointees sworn in after 18-month selection freeze. The Jerusalem Post, 15 September 2026. https://jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-908694
  63. Israel's Supreme Court halts government decision to fire Attorney General. Jewish News, 5 August 2025. https://www.jewishnews.co.uk/israels-supreme-court-halts-government-decision-to-fire-attorney-general/
  64. Israeli Supreme Court intervenes in attorney-general dismissal. The Jewish Chronicle, 2 September 2025. https://www.thejc.com/news/israel/israeli-supreme-court-firing-attorney-general-rv37r8bg
  65. פה אחד | הפסק המלא: בג"ץ ביטל את פיטורי היועמ"שית. Kikar HaShabbat, 14 December 2025. https://www.kikar.co.il/israel-news/attorney-general-dismissal-ruling
  66. The Law to Weaken the Role of the Attorney General (Guy Lurie). Israel Democracy Institute, 9 July 2026 (updated after passage). https://en.idi.org.il/articles/64986
  67. Placing blame elsewhere, Netanyahu shares his answers to state comptroller's Oct. 7 probe. The Times of Israel, 6 February 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/placing-blame-elsewhere-netanyahu-shares-his-answers-to-state-comptrollers-oct-7-investigation/
  68. בג"ץ לממשלה: הסבירו מדוע לא תוקם ועדת חקירה ממלכתית. Ynet, 19 November 2025. https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/hym2tusebx
  69. 6 חברים, 2 יו"רים - ונציגי משפחות: זה המתווה לעקיפת ועדת חקירה ממלכתית. Ynet, 14 December 2025. https://www.ynet.co.il/news/article/byuxsg2zbe
  70. "חותר תחת עצמו": הייעוץ המשפטי של הכנסת נגד ועדת החקירה של הממשלה. Maariv, 11 February 2026. https://www.maariv.co.il/news/politics/article-1283603
  71. UTJ inks coalition deal with Likud, ending internal squabbling ahead of swearing in. The Times of Israel, 28 December 2022. https://www.timesofisrael.com/utj-inks-coalition-deal-with-likud-ending-internal-squabbling-ahead-of-swearing-in/
  72. Israel passes quasi-constitutional law declaring Torah study a foundational value. The Times of Israel, 13 July 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-passes-contentious-basic-law-declaring-torah-study-a-constitutional-value/
  73. Explainer: Basic Law: Torah Study and Its Implications (Benjamin Porat, Shlomit Ravitsky Tur-Paz). Israel Democracy Institute, 15 July 2026. https://en.idi.org.il/articles/64690
  74. Caving to ultra-Orthodox, Netanyahu about-faces on gay surrogacy rights. The Times of Israel, 18 July 2018. https://www.timesofisrael.com/caving-to-ultra-orthodox-netanyahu-about-faces-on-gay-surrogacy-rights/
  75. Knesset passes death penalty law for Palestinians convicted of deadly acts of terror. The Times of Israel, 30 March 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-passes-death-penalty-law-for-palestinians-convicted-of-deadly-acts-of-terror/
  76. Knesset passes law establishing military tribunal to try October 7 perpetrators. The Times of Israel, 12 May 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-passes-law-establishing-military-tribunal-to-try-october-7-perpetrators/
  77. Unable to shut down Kan, coalition maneuvers to control public broadcaster's budget. The Times of Israel, 26 March 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/unable-to-shut-down-kan-coalition-maneuvers-to-control-public-broadcasters-budget/
  78. Coalition passes media overhaul law, giving government greater regulatory control. The Times of Israel, 17 July 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/coalition-passes-media-overhaul-law-giving-government-greater-regulatory-control/
  79. Netanyahu warns of splintering parties on the right. Israel National News, 24 August 2026. https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/432156
  80. As Netanyahu weighs his next coalition, Ofer Winter emerges as a key right-wing spoiler. The Jerusalem Post, 4 October 2026. https://www.jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-910503
  81. Netanyahu's Likud, Smotrich's RZP sign surplus-vote agreement ahead of elections. The Jerusalem Post, 6 October 2026. https://jpost.com/israel-election-2026/article-910758
  82. Critics accuse Netanyahu of mocking Eisenkot's slain son in AI-generated ad. The Times of Israel, 21 July 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/critics-accuse-netanyahu-of-mocking-eisenkots-slain-son-in-ai-generated-ad/
  83. Israel calls 4th election in 2 years as Netanyahu-Gantz coalition collapses. The Times of Israel, 23 December 2020. https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-calls-4th-election-in-2-years-as-netanyahu-gantz-coalition-collapses/
  84. Likud, Otzma Yehudit first to sign coalition agreement. The Jerusalem Post, 24 November 2022. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-723339
  85. Netanyahu offers Lapid, Gantz to join him in emergency unity government. The Times of Israel (live blog), 7 October 2023. https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/netanyahu-offers-lapid-gantz-to-join-him-in-emergency-unity-government/
  86. Netanyahu wraps up trial testimony after 98 hearings across 18 months. The Times of Israel, 24 June 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-wraps-up-trial-testimony-after-98-hearings-across-18-months/
  87. Minister reportedly backs Netanyahu pardon in position paper submitted to president. The Times of Israel, 24 March 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/minister-reportedly-backs-netanyahu-pardon-in-position-paper-submitted-to-president/
  88. Submarine affair commission sets November hearings for Netanyahu, senior officials. The Jerusalem Post, 26 July 2026. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/defense-news/article-903721
  89. ICC issues arrest warrant for assassinated Hamas head Mohammed Deif. The Jerusalem Post, 21 November 2024. https://www.jpost.com/international/article-830175
  90. אושר הסדר הטיעון עם ח"כ כץ, שנידון למאסר על תנאי ולקנס כספי. Maariv, 7 February 2022. https://www.maariv.co.il/news/law/Article-896328
  91. בג"ץ דחה את עתירת שרן השכל נגד הליכוד והימין הממלכתי. Maariv, 9 August 2026. https://www.maariv.co.il/news/politics/article-1354150
  92. Likud approves reserved spots for Israel Katz and Sa'ar, freezes vote on Haim Katz. The Times of Israel, 11 August 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-approves-reserved-spots-for-israel-katz-and-saar-freezes-vote-on-haim-katz/
  93. Netanyahu names wounded reservist and mother of final hostage as Likud candidates. The Jewish Chronicle, 8 September 2026. https://www.thejc.com/news/israel/netanyahu-mother-final-hostage-likud-candidate-om6ph0di
  94. Ousting Edelstein, Likud elects Bismuth to head key panel, advance Haredi draft exemption law. The Times of Israel, 23 July 2025. https://timesofisrael.com/amid-haredi-draft-controversy-likud-votes-for-mk-boaz-bismuth-to-head-key-knesset-panel/
  95. Netanyahu trial resumes as defense phase moves beyond prime minister. The Jerusalem Post, 6 September 2026. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/benjamin-netanyahu/article-907745
  96. Israel's president says he wants a deal reached in Netanyahu case before pardon decision (Reuters). Al-Monitor, 26 April 2026. https://www.al-monitor.com/originals/2026/04/israels-president-says-he-wants-deal-reached-netanyahu-case-pardon-decision
  97. Netanyahu (defendant page: arrest warrant, charges, status). International Criminal Court, page captured 6 October 2026 (web.archive.org). https://web.archive.org/web/20261006210226/https://www.icc-cpi.int/defendant/netanyahu
  98. Situation in the State of Palestine: ICC Pre-Trial Chamber I rejects the State of Israel's challenges to jurisdiction and issues warrants of arrest for Benjamin Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant. International Criminal Court, 21 November 2024. https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-state-palestine-icc-pre-trial-chamber-i-rejects-state-israels-challenges
  99. Plenum vote 45858: חוק עונש מוות למחבלים, התשפ"ו-2026 (third reading; 62 for, 48 against, 1 abstention). Knesset vote-details service (official per-MK record), accessed 2026-10-12, 2026-03-30. https://www.knesset.gov.il/WebSiteApi/knessetapi/Votes/GetVoteDetails/45858
  100. Plenum vote 45927: חוק העמדה לדין בשל אירועי טבח 7 באוקטובר 2023 (טבח שמיני עצרת), התשפ"ו–2026 (third reading; 93 for, none against). Knesset vote-details service (official per-MK record), accessed 2026-10-12, 2026-05-11. https://www.knesset.gov.il/WebSiteApi/knessetapi/Votes/GetVoteDetails/45927
  101. Plenum vote 46611: חוק התקשורת (שידורים), התשפ"ו-2026 (third reading; 53 for, 48 against, 2 abstentions). Knesset vote-details service (official per-MK record), accessed 2026-10-12, 2026-07-16. https://www.knesset.gov.il/WebSiteApi/knessetapi/Votes/GetVoteDetails/46611
  102. Plenum vote 46670: חוק שירות ביטחון (תיקון מס' 28 - הוראת שעה), התשפ"ו-2026 (third reading; 58 for, 54 against). Knesset vote-details service (official per-MK record), accessed 2026-10-12, 2026-07-14. https://www.knesset.gov.il/WebSiteApi/knessetapi/Votes/GetVoteDetails/46670
  103. Plenum vote 46248: חוק-יסוד: לימוד תורה (third reading; 63 for, 52 against). Knesset vote-details service (official per-MK record), accessed 2026-10-12, 2026-07-13. https://www.knesset.gov.il/WebSiteApi/knessetapi/Votes/GetVoteDetails/46248
  104. Plenum vote 38405: הצעת חוק החלת הריבונות הישראלית על בקעת הירדן, התשפ"ג-2023 (preliminary reading; rejected, 14 for, 66 against). Knesset vote-details service (official per-MK record), accessed 2026-10-12, 2023-03-15. https://www.knesset.gov.il/WebSiteApi/knessetapi/Votes/GetVoteDetails/38405
  105. Plenum vote 42820: הצעת חוק החלת הריבונות הישראלית על בקעת הירדן, התשפ"ג-2023 (preliminary reading; rejected, 32 for, 56 against). Knesset vote-details service (official per-MK record), accessed 2026-10-12, 2025-01-22. https://www.knesset.gov.il/WebSiteApi/knessetapi/Votes/GetVoteDetails/42820
  106. Plenum vote 44992: הצעת חוק החלת ריבונות על ביתר עילית, התשפ"ו-2025 (preliminary reading; rejected, 8 for, 45 against, 3 present not voting). Knesset vote-details service (official per-MK record), accessed 2026-10-12, 2025-12-31. https://www.knesset.gov.il/WebSiteApi/knessetapi/Votes/GetVoteDetails/44992
  107. קואליציית נתניהו הפילה את החוק להחיל ריבונות בבקעה. Srugim, 15 March 2023. https://www.srugim.co.il/773889-%d7%a7%d7%95%d7%90%d7%9c%d7%99%d7%a6%d7%99%d7%99%d7%aa-%d7%a0%d7%aa%d7%a0%d7%99%d7%94%d7%95-%d7%94%d7%a4%d7%99%d7%9c%d7%94-%d7%90%d7%aa-%d7%94%d7%97%d7%95%d7%a7-%d7%9c%d7%94%d7%97%d7%99%d7%9c-%d7%a8
  108. Israeli gov't approves plan to move over half a billion shekels from Arab sector to Shin Bet. The Jerusalem Post, 16 July 2026. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/crime-in-israel/article-902653
  109. 'Provocation': Sa'ar clashes with fellow New Hope MK in probe of comptroller vote. The Times of Israel, 2 August 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/provocation-saar-clashes-with-fellow-new-hope-mk-in-probe-of-comptroller-vote/
  110. Knesset Speaker Ohana says he's proud Likud defied High Court ruling. The Jerusalem Post, 19 August 2026. https://jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-905994
  111. No slate, no HQ: Sharren Haskel wages an uphill fight to return to the Knesset. The Times of Israel, 25 August 2026. https://www.timesofisrael.com/no-slate-no-hq-sharren-haskel-wages-an-uphill-fight-to-return-to-the-knesset/
  112. במשטרה סבורים: קיימת תשתית ראייתית להעמדה לדין של השרה מאי גולן. Calcalist, 10 June 2026. https://www.calcalist.co.il/local_news/article/skon56ibme
  113. בעקבות התחקיר על מירי רגב: המשטרה פתחה בחקירה בחשד למרמה והפרת אמונים. Calcalist, 10 June 2024. https://www.calcalist.co.il/local_news/article/rj5iibvsc
  114. חקירת משרד התחבורה נגד מירי רגב הסתיימה – התיק צפוי להיסגר. JDN, 1 February 2026. https://www.jdn.co.il/news/2571461/
  115. Plenum vote 44580: הצעת חוק החלת הריבונות של מדינת ישראל בחבלי יהודה והשומרון, התשפ"ה-2025 (preliminary reading; 25 for, 24 against, 1 present not voting). Knesset vote-details service (official per-MK record), accessed 2026-10-12, 2025-10-22. https://www.knesset.gov.il/WebSiteApi/knessetapi/Votes/GetVoteDetails/44580
  116. High Court strikes down law shielding haredi yeshiva students from arrest over draft evasion. The Jerusalem Post, 3 September 2026. https://jpost.com/israel-news/politics-and-diplomacy/article-907553
  117. אחרי אישור השריונים: נתניהו מציג את רשימת הליכוד לכנסת ה-26. Kipa, 8 September 2026. https://www.kipa.co.il/חדשות/1231288-0/
  118. הסכם קואליציוני לכינון ממשלה לאומית בין סיעת הליכוד בכנסת ה-25 לבין סיעת הציונות הדתית בכנסת ה-25 (signed coalition agreement, scanned copy; clause 118). Knesset, signed and tabled 28 December 2022 (accessed 12 October 2026). https://main.knesset.gov.il/mk/government/Documents/CA37-RZ.pdf
  119. החלטה מס' 53/25: החלטת ועדת האתיקה בקובלנות שהוגשו בגין אחריות חברי הכנסת ושרים על התנהלות יועצים פרלמנטריים. Knesset Ethics Committee, 12 May 2026. https://main.knesset.gov.il/Activity/committees/Ethics/Decisions25/Decisions25-53.pdf
  120. החלטה מס' 51/25: החלטת ועדת האתיקה בענין היעדרויות חברי הכנסת מישיבות הכנסת בכנס החורף ובכנס הקיץ של המושב השלישי של הכנסת ה-25. Knesset Ethics Committee, 12 May 2026. https://main.knesset.gov.il/Activity/committees/Ethics/Decisions25/Decisions25-51.pdf

Information availability

There is extensive public information about Likud. It has led the government since December 2022, so its record can be measured through Knesset votes, legislation, government decisions and court rulings, and there is wide coverage in Israeli media across the spectrum. The main gap is that no detailed written 2026 platform was found. The party's campaign website gives only short "six pillars" statements and lists of achievements [3], so many positions here are drawn from government actions and leaders' statements rather than from a formal platform. Positions that belong to coalition partners, such as the finance ministry's economic policy, the death penalty law and the attorney general law, are attributed to the government or to their sponsors. Likud's own role, such as its votes or its ministers' sponsorship, is stated where known. Some sources were only partly accessible: the CEC's gov.il pages could not be reached, so the IDI-hosted copy of the CEC list was used. The International Criminal Court's website could not be reached directly, so an archived copy of its official case page from 6 October 2026 was used. Several Hebrew Ynet and Kan items and some international outlets could not be opened and are not cited. Statements by individual Likud candidates on issues such as Shabbat and civil marriage were not found in the sources reviewed.