2005 Likud leadership election
← 2002 19 December 2005 (2005-12-19) 2007 →
Turnout44.46%
 
Candidate Benjamin Netanyahu Silvan Shalom Moshe Feiglin
Party Likud Likud Likud
Percentage 44.4% 33% 12.4%
Likud leader before election

Dan Naveh (leading a council of ministers)
(Previously Ariel Sharon, then Tzachi Hanegbi as acting leader)

 Likud leader after election

Benjamin Netanyahu

A leadership election was held by the Likud party on 19 December 2005.[1] former Prime Minister and Party Leader Benjamin Netanyahu[2] defeated Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Silvan Shalom,[3] as well as candidates Moshe Feiglin and Israel Katz.[1]

Background

The previous leader of the Likud was Ariel Sharon, then the Prime Minister of Israel. Sharon was elected to the leadership of the Likud in September 1999, following Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation, and to the Premiership in 2001. Sharon was subsequently re-elected as leader in 2002, defeating Netanyahu, and won the general election held later that year.[4] Sharon appointed Netanyahu as the Minister of Finance in March 2003.[5]

That year, Sharon made plans for a unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip.[4] The plan faced significant opposition from within the Likud. in a party referendum held in May 2004, 59.5% of voting members opposed the plan, while 39.7% supported it. Turnout stood at 51.6% of all registered members of the Likud.[6] The plan was then rejected a second time by the party's central committee,[7] and subsequently went to a vote in the Knesset in October, where several members of the Likud, including Netanyahu, conditioned the implementation of the plan on a national referendum. They subsequently backed down, allowing the vote to be passed in an event later known as the "Night of the Rabbits".[8] After the cabinet voted to begin the disengagement process in August 2005, Netanyahu resigned as Minister of Finance.[9] Shortly thereafter, Uzi Landau announced his intention to run for the party's leadership.[10]

In November 2005, Sharon resigned from the leadership of the Likud and as prime Minister and founded a new party, Kadima. he was joined by members of the Likud and Labor,[11][12] including Shimon Peres, who was ousted as leader of the Labor party several weeks prior.[13] Following Sharon's resignation, Tzachi Hanegbi, who served as chairman of the Likud's central committee, became the party's interim leader,[14][15] and President Moshe Katsav scheduled a new election for March 2006.[16] On 24 November, the central committee announced the first round of the leadership election would be held on 19 December, with a potential second round scheduled for 26 December.[17] Netanyahu formally announced his intention to run that same day,[18] Silvan Shalom did so on 29 November, and Moshe Feiglin did on 30 November.[19] Israel Katz and Shaul Mofaz also announced their intention to run.[20][17]

Hanegbi left the Likud and joined Kadima on 7 December,[21] and was provisionally replaced by a council of five Likud ministers led by Minister of Health Dan Naveh,[22] and additionally including Education Minister Limor Livnat, as well as Gideon Sa'ar, Michael Eitan and Likud Director General Arik Brami.[23]

Campaign

Netanyahu campaigned on his financial and security policies, emphasizing his tenure as the Minister of Finance,[18] and his opposition to Sharon's disengagement plan, criticizing the new Kadima party and referring to them as "Labor B".[24] following Landau's withdrawal from the race, Netanyahu stated that he would seek to recruit qualified candidates to the party's electoral list ahead of the general election.[24] the day before the primary was held, he argued that he was the most electable candidate, and further criticized Sharon and Labor leader Amir Peretz for their financial policies and positions on the Israeli–Palestinian conflict.[25]

Shalom campaigned against Mofaz and Netanyahu, arguing that he was more electable.[26] he additionally advocated for peace talks with the Palestinians,[27] and criticized Netanyahu's economic policies.[28]

Feiglin's campaign attempted to appeal to secular voters. He ran on a platform he referred to as 'Family, Education, Security and Justice'. aiming to preserve traditional family values, provide tax exemptions to married couples, include studies of Jewish history and identity in the national curriculum, withdraw from the Oslo Accords and impose Israeli sovereignty on the West Bank.[19][29] he additionally proposed that the Likud form an electoral list with smaller right-wing parties.[30]

Landau campaigned on his opposition to the disengagement plan,[10] and like Feiglin, proposed the formation of an electoral list between the Likud and smaller right-wing parties,[31] before withdrawing from the race on 5 December and endorsing Netanyahu.[32]

Mofaz, who announced his intention to run on November 21,[33] campaigned against Netanyahu, referring to him as "a Cream Child [he] from Rehavia who hurt the poor", and criticized his economic policies,[28] while campaigning on a pledge to narrow the wealth gap, expand Israeli settlements in the West Bank while negotiating with the Palestinian state[34][35] and to reform education.[36] He additionally pledged to keep the Likud in Sharon's government until after the 2006 election.[37] Mofaz later withdrew from the race, left the Likud and joined Kadima on 11 December.[38]

Candidates

Withdrawn

Results

128,347 Members of the Likud were eligible to vote.[25]

2005 Likud leadership election[46][b]
Party Candidate Votes %
Likud Benjamin Netanyahu 44.4%
Likud Silvan Shalom 33%
Likud Moshe Feiglin 12.4%
Likud Israel Katz 8.7%
Turnout 44.6%

Aftermath

Silvan Shalom conceded the election after initial results showed a Netanyahu victory. Feiglin expressed satisfaction with the results, arguing they indicated significant growth in his support within the Likud.[47] following the primary, all remaining Likud Ministers resigned from the government by the end of January 2006.[48] on 4 January, Ariel Sharon suffered a stroke that left him in a permanent coma until his death in 2014.[49][50] he was replaced as Prime Minister by Ehud Olmert, who led the party through the general election in March.[51]

The Likud won 12 seats in the March election,[51] less than a third of the 38 seats the party won in 2003.[52] following the election, Olmert formed a new government, which did not include the Likud.[51] Netanyahu was re-elected as leader of the Likud in 2007, and later won the 2009 election, which resulted in him forming a government and becoming the Prime Minister.[53]

References

  1. ^ a b Somfalvi, Attila; Marciano, Ilan (19 December 2005). "נתניהו: נחזור להנהגה, כולנו הולכים קדימה" [Netahyahu: We will return to leadership, we're going forwards]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  2. ^ ynet (19 December 2005). "דרכו של נתניהו. מירושלים לארה"ב ובחזרה" [Netanyahu's path: from Jerusalem to the United States and back again]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  3. ^ "סילבן שלום" [Silvan Shalom]. Knesset (in Hebrew). Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  4. ^ a b "אריאל שרון ז"ל" [Ariel Sharon R.I.P]. Israel Democracy Institute (in Hebrew). Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  5. ^ Ephrati, Iddo; Goldstein, Tani (7 August 2005). "בנימין נתניהו: רפורמטור והמפריט הלאומי" [Benjamin Netanyahu: 'Reformator' and the national Privatizer]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  6. ^ Bahur-Nir, Diana; Somfalvi, Attila (2 May 2004). "תבוסת שרון: 59.5% - נגד ההתנתקות, 39.7% - בעד" [Sharon's defeat: 59.5% - against disengagement, 39.7% - in favor]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  7. ^ "שרון: אגיש תוכנית חלופית לממשלה ולכנסת" [Sharon: i will submit an alternate plan to the Government and to the Knesset]. Ynet (in Hebrew). 3 May 2004. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  8. ^ Rahat, Menachem (9 November 2004). ""קיבלנו איתותים שביבי נשאר"" ["We've received signs that Bibi is staying"]. Ma'ariv nrg. Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  9. ^ Somfalvi, Attila; Bahur-Nir, Diana (7 August 2005). "שר האוצר נתניהו התפטר: "בגלל ההתנתקות"" [Finance Minister Netanyahu resigned: "because of disengagement"]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  10. ^ a b Somfalvi, Attila (9 August 2005). "לנדאו הכריז על מועמדותו לראשות הליכוד" [Landau has announced his candidacy for the chairmanship of the Likud]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  11. ^ Sofer, Roni (23 November 2005). "רשמית: מפלגת שרון - "קדימה" - יצאה לדרך" [Officially: Sharon's Party, "Kadima", has been founded]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 5 June 2022.
  12. ^ Marciano, Ilan (21 November 2005). "הקרב על ה-14: מצעד ח"כים בלשכת שרון" [Fight for 14: march of MKs at Sharon's office]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  13. ^ "Peres quits Labor Party, backs Sharon". CNN. 30 November 2005. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  14. ^ Marchano, Ilan; Somfalvi, Attila (20 November 2005). "שרון החליט לפרוש מהליכוד" [Sharon has decided to leave the Likud]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  15. ^ Marciano, Ilan (21 November 2005). "סיעת ליכוד בלי שרון: מנסים לגבש 61" [The Likud without Sharon: trying to muster 61]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  16. ^ Somfalvi, Attila; Marciano, Ilan (22 November 2005). "הכנסת והנשיא הסכימו: בחירות ב-28 במרס" [The Knesset and the President have agreed: elections on 28 March]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  17. ^ a b Somfalvi, Attila (24 November 2005). "מרכז הליכוד אישר: הפריימריז בחודש הבא" [The Likud's central committee has confirmed: Primaries will happen next month]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  18. ^ a b Somfalvi, Attila (27 November 2005). "נתניהו פותח את הקמפיין להנהגת הליכוד" [Netanyahu begins campaign for leadership of the Likud]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  19. ^ a b Hasson, Miri (30 November 2005). "פייגלין הודיע שיתמודד בליכוד: "צריך מסורת"" [Feiglin announced he would run in the Likud: "Tradition is Needed"]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  20. ^ "כץ על עזיבת מופז: "מכה לאמינות הפוליטיקאים"" [Katz on Mofaz's departure: "A blow to trust in politicians"]. Ynet (in Hebrew). 11 December 2005. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  21. ^ Sofer, Roni (7 December 2005). "הנגבי פורש: טובת המדינה גוברת על טובת הליכוד" [Hanegbi Retires: the good of the country overtakes the good of the Likud]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  22. ^ "נוה יעמוד בראש שרי הליכוד עד לבחירת מחליף להנגבי" [Naveh will lead Likud Ministers until Hanegbi's replacement is elected]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  23. ^ "5 ministers to jointly run Likud until primaries". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  24. ^ a b Somfalvi, Attila (7 December 2005). "נתניהו מתעקש: לליכוד תהיה נבחרת מצויינת" [Netanyahu insists: the Likud will have a great team]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  25. ^ a b Marciano, Ilan; Somfalvi, Attila (17 December 2005). "24 שעות לפני: נתניהו ושלום מסירים כפפות" [24 Hours before: Netanyahu and Shalom take their gloves off]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  26. ^ Somfalvi, Attila (29 November 2005). "סילבן שלום נגד מופז, נתניהו ו"מפלגת הדוגמנים"" [Silvan Shalom against Mofaz, Netanyahu, and the "Party of Models"]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  27. ^ "Shalom campaign off to a shaky start". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  28. ^ a b "מופז: "נתניהו הוא ילד שמנת משכונת רחביה שנולד עם כפית זהב בפה ופגע בעניים"" [Mofaz: Netanyahu is a cream child from Rehavia born with a Gold Spoon in his mouth and who hurt the poor]. TheMarker. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  29. ^ "Virtual debate: Moshe Feiglin". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  30. ^ "פייגלין: לאחד את הליכוד בתוך חזית ימנית" [Feiglin: the Likud should be merged into a right-wing front]. Ynet (in Hebrew). 12 December 2005. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  31. ^ Lazaroff, Tovah (24 November 2005). "Feiglin bid looks to save Likud". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  32. ^ a b Marciano, Ilan; Somfalvi, Attila (5 December 2005). "עוזי לנדאו פורש מהמירוץ, תומך בנתניהו" [Uzi Landau withdraws from race, supports Netanyahu]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  33. ^ Jalikovich, Moran; Somfalvi, Attila (21 November 2005). "מופז: הליכוד זקוק למנהיג, אתמודד על ראשותו" [Mofaz: the Likud needs a leader, i will run to lead it]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  34. ^ Marciano, Ilan (1 December 2005). "מופז בפתח הקמפיין: נחזק את גושי ההתיישבות" [Mofaz at the beginning of his campaign: we will strengthen settlement blocs]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  35. ^ Stern, Gill; Hoffman, Stern (8 December 2005). "Virtual debate: Shaul Mofaz". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  36. ^ Efrati, Iddo (2 December 2005). "מופז: "הבעיה החברתית מסוכנת מהביטחונית"" [Mofaz: the social issue is more dangerous than the security one]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  37. ^ "Mofaz: If elected, Likud won't quit PM's gov't". The Jerusalem Post. 24 November 2005. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  38. ^ Sofer, Roni (11 December 2005). "מופז עוזב את הליכוד, עובר לקדימה" [Mofaz leaves Likud, moves to Kadima]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  39. ^ "Member of the Knesset Benjamin Netanyahu". Knesset. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  40. ^ Somfalvi, Attila (9 July 2007). "שלום לא מתמודד: "הליכוד - כמו הבעת' בסוריה"" [Shaom is not Running: "Likud like Ba'ath in Syria"]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  41. ^ "חבר הכנסת סילבן שלום" [Member of the Knesset Silvan Shalom]. m.knesset.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  42. ^ "מנהיגות - משה פיילגין" [Manhigut - Moshe Feiglin]. Manhigut Yehudit (in Hebrew). 8 February 2007. Archived from the original on 8 February 2007. Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  43. ^ "חבר הכנסת ישראל כץ" [Member of the Knesset Israel Katz]. m.knesset.gov.il. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  44. ^ "חבר הכנסת עוזי לנדאו" [Member of the Knesset Uzi Landau]. Knesset. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  45. ^ "חבר הכנסת שאול מופז" [Member of the Knesset Shaul Mofaz]. main.knesset.gov.il. Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  46. ^ "נתניהו ניצח בבחירות בליכוד עם 44.4% - וואלה! חדשות". וואלה! (in Hebrew). 20 December 2005. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  47. ^ Marciano, Ilan; Somfalvi, Attila (19 December 2005). "נתניהו: נחזור להנהגה, כולנו הולכים קדימה" [Netanyahu: we will return to leadership, we are all moving forwards]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  48. ^ "ממשלת ישראל השלושים" [Thirtieth government of Israel]. Knesset. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  49. ^ "Sharon's stroke blood 'drained'". BBC News. 5 January 2006. Archived from the original on 11 February 2006.
  50. ^ Lis, Jonathan; Cohen, Gili; Efrati, Ido; Ravid, Barak (11 January 2014). "Israel mourns Sharon's passing; Netanyahu: He was a 'brave warrior'". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 11 January 2014. Retrieved 11 January 2014.
  51. ^ a b c "בחירות 2006" [2006 elections]. Israel Democracy Institute. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  52. ^ "בחירות 2003" [2003 elections]. Israel Democracy Institute. Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  53. ^ "בחירות 2009" [2009 elections]. Israel Democracy Institute. Retrieved 2 May 2022.

Notes

  1. ^ a b c d e f This section only includes positions held before November 2005
  2. ^ This is a partial count and includes 98% of all votes cast in the election.
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