Likud
The Likud is Israel's primary right-wing national-liberal party, currently led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. It serves as the anchor of the governing coalition, championing security-first policies, free-market economics, and Jewish national sovereignty in the Land of Israel.
The Likud remains the dominant force in Israeli politics, though it currently faces significant internal and external pressures. As the lead party in the governing coalition, it balances the demands of its Haredi and Religious Zionist partners while maintaining its traditional base of national-liberal voters. Historically, the party has been defined by the 'Iron Wall' security doctrine and a commitment to the Land of Israel, alongside a populist appeal that has made it the largest party for much of the last four decades. In late 2026, the party is navigating a complex political landscape marked by intense internal friction and a challenging electoral outlook. A major legal battle recently concluded when the Tel Aviv District Court and the Supreme Court upheld a ruling barring sitting MKs and ministers from running for district-specific slots. This decision forced over 30 incumbents to compete for only 18 spots on the national list, creating a significant bottleneck. The subsequent primary results in August 2026 saw a major reshuffling: Energy Minister Eli Cohen took the top spot, while Coalition Chair Ofir Katz surged into the top five. Conversely, several high-profile figures, including ministers Avi Dichter, Idit Silman, and May Golan, failed to secure realistic spots on the list. Externally, the Likud faces a formidable challenge from Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party. Recent polling from News 16, News 13, and N12 indicates that for the first time, Eisenkot has overtaken the Likud in projected mandates, with the Likud dropping to between 18 and 21 seats. Despite these headwinds, the party has finalized a surplus vote agreement with the Religious Zionism party to maximize its bloc's strength. Most recently, the party has entered a confrontational stance with the judiciary, accusing Justice Hanan Solberg of acting as a political player following the disqualification of the 'Elector' election management application. The Likud remains the central pillar of the Israeli right, maintaining its focus on national resilience and security-first governance in Judea and Samaria.