Likud campaigns on security and judicial reform ahead of Israel’s Oct. 27 election

Founded in 1973 from Menachem Begin’s Herut movement, Likud broke Labor’s long-standing dominance and built a base among Mizrahi Jews, blending Revisionist Zionism, economic liberalism and Jewish tradition. Although firmly right-wing, the party has historically backed peace initiatives such as the 1979 Egypt treaty and the 2005 Gaza disengagement. Since 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu has been the party’s dominant figure, serving as prime minister for most of the past two decades.

For the Oct. 27 election, Likud’s list places senior ministers Eli Cohen, Amir Ohana, Yariv Levin and Miri Regev directly after Netanyahu, with additional slots filled by his appointees including Israel Katz and Gideon Sa’ar. The campaign centers on security, citing ongoing operations since Oct. 7, 2023, and pledges to confront Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas while rejecting a Palestinian state. Domestically, it aims to continue judicial reforms that curb court influence and to broaden ultra-Orthodox conscription, though it will keep exemptions for full-time yeshiva students.

Likud’s foreign policy calls for expanding the 2020 Abraham Accords and forging regional alliances. Coalition talks are expected with Shas, United Torah Judaism, Otzma Yehudit, Religious Zionism-Zehut and possibly the new People of Israel Party, while polls show a split outlook ranging from a historic low of under 20 seats to a more optimistic 31-seat projection.