Israel Election 2026: What does Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud stand for?

The Likud, Israel's ruling political party, was established in 1973 and is currently led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The party is known for its conservative and pro-defense stance, sitting on the political right side of the spectrum. Historically, Likud has held a substantial number of seats in the Knesset, though their current polling shows a more uncertain position.

Founded by combining nationalist and liberal political traditions, the party has been led by Netanyahu since the late 1990s. His leadership has seen the party face accusations of straying from its original founding principles. The Likud is currently polling between 19-21 seats, with Netanyahu holding the position of Prime Minister for the past four years.

The party's platform places a strong emphasis on security and military action. Netanyahu has blamed his opponents for failing to prevent the October 7 massacre, while crediting himself for subsequent military successes against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. The party has also rejected Palestinian statehood and supports the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

In terms of defense spending, Likud has increased the Defense Ministry's budget significantly since the war began. The party has also emphasized its relationship with the United States, particularly its close ties with former President Donald Trump, as a crucial factor in its policies and approach to regional diplomacy.