2005 Likud leadership election

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2005 Likud leadership election
Likud Logo.svg
←  2002 19 December 2005 (2005-12-19) 2007  →
Turnout44.46%
  Benjamin Netanyahu.jpg Silvan Shaloml (3x4a).jpg
Candidate Benjamin Netanyahu Silvan Shalom
Party Likud Likud
Percentage44.4%33%
  Moshe Feiglin (1).jpg Yisrael Katz2010 (cropped).jpg
Candidate Moshe Feiglin Israel Katz
Party Likud Likud
Percentage12.4%8.7%
Likud leader before election

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

Contents

Likud leader after election

Benjamin Netanyahu

A leadership election was held by Likud 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]

Likud's previous leader, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, initially sought re-election as party leader, and was challenged by Netanyahu and Uzi Landau over Sharon's planned disengagement from the Gaza Strip. In November 2005, Sharon left Likud to form Kadima. Following his departure, Silvan Shalom, Moshe Feiglin, Israel Katz and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz announced their own bids for the leadership. Mofaz and Landau withdrew from the race in December, with Landau endorsing Netanyahu and Mofaz leaving Likud and joining Kadima.

Several months after Netanyahu's victory, Likud lost decisively in the 2006 Knesset election. The party later returned to power in 2009.

Background

The previous leader of Likud was Ariel Sharon, then the Prime Minister of Israel. Sharon was first elected to lead Likud in September 1999, following Benjamin Netanyahu's resignation, and was elected Prime Minister in 2001. Sharon was subsequently re-elected as leader in 2002, defeating Netanyahu, and won the legislative election held the following year. [4] Netanyahu served in Sharon's government, first as the Minister of Foreign Affairs (2002-2003), and then as the Minister of Finance from March 2003. [5] [6]

That year, Sharon made plans for a unilateral disengagement from the Gaza Strip. [4] The plan faced significant opposition from within Likud. In a party referendum held in May 2004, the plan was voted down 59.5-39.7%. [7] Sharon subsequently brought the plan to a vote in the Knesset in October, where several members of Likud, including Netanyahu, conditioned the implementation of the plan on a national referendum. They subsequently backed down, allowing for the plan's approval. [8] After the cabinet voted to begin the disengagement process in August 2005, Netanyahu resigned as Minister of Finance. [9] Later that month, Netanyahu and Member of the Knesset Uzi Landau announced their intention to run for the party's leadership. [10] [11]

Motion for early election

Likud's central committee (pictured in 2008) narrowly voted against Uzi Landau's proposal for an early leadership election MosheFaiglen6.JPG
Likud's central committee (pictured in 2008) narrowly voted against Uzi Landau's proposal for an early leadership election

In July 2005, Landau proposed that Likud hold an early leadership election, and began collecting signatures from members of the Central Committee to force a vote on the matter. [12] [a] The petition reached the required number of signatures in August, but was challenged due to alleged forgeries. [13] On 30 August 2005, Likud's internal court ruled that the party's Central Committee must convene to debate the motion on 25 September, and vote on it the following day. [14]

Netanyahu supported Landau's motion for an early leadership election. The two candidates stated in a joint letter that the move was intended to prevent a lengthy struggle for the party's leadership. They also stated their belief that Sharon intended to leave Likud and form his own party, arguing an early leadership election would prevent him from defecting close to the date of the next election. [15] Several Likud politicians, including ministers Limor Livnat and Silvan Shalom and central committee chairman Tzachi Hanegbi attempted to broker a compromise, in which Netanyahu, Landau and Sharon would agree on an election date, and Sharon would publicly commit to remain in Likud. [16] [17] Ultimately, the motion was voted down by the central committee in a 52-48% margin. [18] [19]

Formation of Kadima

In November 2005, Sharon resigned from both the leadership of Likud and the office of Prime Minister and founded a new party, Kadima. he was joined by members of Likud and Labor, [20] [21] including Shimon Peres, who was ousted as leader of the Labor party several weeks prior. [22] Following Sharon's resignation, Central Committee Chairman Tzachi Hanegbi became the party's interim leader, [23] [24] and President Moshe Katsav, at the behest of Sharon and Labor leader Amir Peretz, scheduled a new election for March 2006. [25] [26] On 24 November, Likud's 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. [27] Netanyahu formally announced his intention to run that same day, [28] Silvan Shalom did so on 29 November, and Moshe Feiglin did on 30 November. [29] Israel Katz and Shaul Mofaz also announced their intention to run. [30] [27]

Hanegbi left Likud and joined Kadima on 7 December, [31] and was provisionally replaced by a council of five Likud ministers led by Minister of Health Dan Naveh, [32] and additionally including Education Minister Limor Livnat, as well as Members of the Knesset Gideon Sa'ar and Michael Eitan and Likud Director General Arik Brami. [33]

Campaign

Netanyahu campaigned on his financial and security policies, emphasizing his tenure as the Minister of Finance, [34] and his opposition to Sharon's disengagement plan, criticizing the new Kadima party and referring to them as "Labor B". [35] 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. [35] 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. [36] Netanyahu also stated his support for a pre-emptive strike against the Iranian nuclear program. [37]

Shalom campaigned against Mofaz and Netanyahu, arguing that he was more electable. [38] He additionally advocated for peace talks with the Palestinians, [39] and criticized Netanyahu's cuts to social welfare programs as Finance Minister. [40] [41]

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. [42] [43] he additionally proposed that Likud form an electoral list with smaller right-wing parties. [44]

Katz argued he represented the Mainstream of Likud, [45] and criticized Netanyahu's cuts to social welfare programs as Finance Minister. [46] He was accused by supporters of Ariel Sharon of replacing Sharon-appointed Likud officials with his own appointees to further his campaign for leadership. [47]

Landau campaigned on his opposition to the disengagement plan, [48] and like Feiglin, proposed the formation of an electoral list between Likud and smaller right-wing parties, [49] before withdrawing from the race on 5 December and endorsing Netanyahu. [50]

Mofaz, who announced his intention to run on November 21, [51] campaigned on socio-conomic issues, criticizing Netanyahu's economic policies and referring to him as "a Cream Child  [ he ] from Rehavia who hurt the poor". [40] [52] He ranon a pledge to narrow the wealth gap, expand Israeli settlements in the West Bank while negotiating with the Palestinian Authority [53] [54] and to reform education. [55] He additionally pledged to keep Likud in Sharon's government until after the 2006 election. [56] Mofaz later withdrew from the race, left Likud and joined Kadima on 11 December. [57]

Candidates

Uzi Landau (E32J0911) (cropped).jpg
Shaul Mofaz (E32J1226) (cropped).jpg
Two candidates, Uzi Landau and Shaul Mofaz, withdrew before the election

Withdrawn

Polls

Graph of first-round polls 2005 Likud leadership election 1st round.png
Graph of first-round polls

The following are polls of Likud Members conducted between August and December 2005:

First round

August-November 2005

DatePoll source Ariel
Sharon 		Benjamin
Netanyahu 		Uzi
Landau 		Moshe
Feiglin 		Other/Undecided
8 August 2005Dialog (for Haaretz) [65] 29.1%35%17.3%--
10 August 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [66] 38%41%12%2%7%
18-23 August 2005Maagar Mochot (for Channel 2) [67] 36%43%12%-9%
24 August 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [68] 33%39%15%5%8%
23-24 August 2005Dialog (for Haaretz) [69] [70] 30.6%26.3%24.2%-8.7%
25-26 August 2005Maagar Mochot (for Channel 2) [71] 32%41%16%-11%
4-5 September 2005Dialog (for Haaretz) [72] 36%24%19%8%-
6 September 2005Dahaf (for Yedioth Ahronoth) [73] 31%29%24%--
7 September 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [74] 34%24%15%5%22%
20 September 2005Maagar Mochot (for Channel 2) [75] 37%33%14%-16%
27 September 2005Dialog (for Haaretz) [76] 45.5%20.6%15.9%4.9%-
9 November 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [77] 43.8%26.3%12.4%-15.7%
16 November 2005Dialog (for Haaretz) [78] 47%23%9%6%-

November-December 2005

DatePoll source Benjamin
Netanyahu 		Shaul
Mofaz 		Silvan
Shalom 		Uzi
Landau 		Moshe
Feiglin 		Israel
Katz 		Other/Undecided
21 November 2005Dahaf (for Yedioth Ahronoth) [79] 51%15%15%5%---
21 November 2005Maagar Mochot (for Makor Rishon) [80] 27%20%7%10%-2%34%
23 November 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [81] 29%22%12%14%8%4%11%
24 November 2005Teleseker (for Maariv) [82] 46%14%17%14%---
25 November 2005 [c] Dahaf (for Yedioth Ahronoth) [83] 39%19%12%9%9%1%-
30 November 2005Dahaf (for Yedioth Ahronoth) [84] 39%21%14%9%8%2%7%
7 December 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [85] 36%19%13%-12%5%15%
7 December 2005Maagar Mochot (for Makor Rishon) [86] 38%18%13%-13%5%-
9 December 2005 [c] Teleseker (for Maariv) [86] 32.6%11.4%14.8%-7.4%2.2%-

December 2005

DatePoll source Benjamin
Netanyahu 		Silvan
Shalom 		Moshe
Feiglin 		Israel
Katz 		Other/Undecided
10 December 2005 Maariv [87] 45.5%22%15.5%--
12 December 2005Dialog (for Haaretz and Channel 10) [88] 40%23%9%2%-
12 December 2005Dahaf (for Yedioth Ahronoth) [89] 39%29%11%6%-
14 December 2005Panorama Markets (for Kol Yisrael) [90] [91] 40.2%39%7.1%4.6%9.1%

Second round

August-November 2005

DatePoll source Ariel
Sharon 		Benjamin
Netanyahu 		Uzi
Landau 		Moshe
Feiglin 		Other/Undecided
8 August 2005Dialog (for Haaretz) [65] 33.2%47.2%---
9 August 2005 [c] New Wave Research (for Channel 10) [92] 27%42%---
10 August 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [66] 39%49%--12%
11 August 2005 [c] Globes-Smith [93] 42%30%---
7-12 August 2005Dahaf (for Yedioth Ahronoth) [94] 38%53%---
22 August 2005New Wave Research (for Channel 10) [95] 36%28%---
23-24 August 2005Dialog (for Haaretz) [69] [70] 30.5%46.9%--13.6%
37%-45%-11.6%
24 August 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [68] 32%44%--24%
30 August 2005Maagar Mochot (for Channel 2) [96] 34%45%--21%
31 August 2005Shvakim Panorama (for Kol Yisrael) [97] 52.6%33.4%--14%
4-5 September 2005Dialog (for Haaretz) [72] 38%44%---
6 September 2005Dahaf (for Yedioth Ahronoth) [73] 38%47%---
-41%39%--
7 September 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [74] 32%38%--30%
27 September 2005Dialog (for Haaretz) [76] [98] 47.6%33.8%---
-29.1%37.2%-33.5%
9 November 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [77] 48.7%32.5%--18.8%
16 November 2005Dialog (for Haaretz) [78] 51%32%---

November-December 2005

DatePoll source Benjamin
Netanyahu 		Shaul
Mofaz 		Silvan
Shalom 		Uzi
Landau 		Moshe
Feiglin 		Israel
Katz 		Other/Undecided
23 November 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [81] 41%-23%---36%
42%33%----25%
40%--27%--33%
25 November 2005 [c] Dahaf (for Yedioth Ahronoth) [83] 52%36%-----
53%--34%---
58%-31%----
30 November 2005Dahaf (for Yedioth Ahronoth) [84] 55%39%-----
56%-37%----
7 December 2005Maagar Mochot (for Kol Yisrael) [85] 48%31%----21%
48%-38%---14%
-28%39%---33%
9 December 2005 [c] Teleseker (for Maariv) [86] 43.4%-30.2%----
43.4%31%-----

December 2005

DatePoll source Benjamin
Netanyahu 		Silvan
Shalom 		Moshe
Feiglin 		Israel
Katz 		Other/Undecided
10 December 2005 Maariv [87] 57.4%30%---
12 December 2005Dialog (for Haaretz and Channel 10) [88] 46%29%---
14 December 2005Panorama Markets (for Kol Yisrael) [90] [91] [d] 56.3%38.4%--5.3%

Results

2005 Likud leadership election [99] [e]
PartyCandidateVotes%
Likud Benjamin Netanyahu 44.4%
Likud Silvan Shalom 33%
Likud Moshe Feiglin 12.4%
Likud Israel Katz 8.7%
Turnout 44.6%
Registered electors 128,347 [36]

Aftermath

Netanyahu won the leadership election, but lost the ensuing legislative election to Kadima under Ehud Olmert Flickr - Government Press Office (GPO) - P.M. Olmert with Shahar Peer and Udi Gal (cropped) (cropped).jpg
Netanyahu won the leadership election, but lost the ensuing legislative election to Kadima under Ehud Olmert

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 Likud. [100] following the primary, all remaining Likud Ministers resigned from the government by the end of January 2006. [101] on 4 January, Ariel Sharon suffered a stroke that left him in a permanent coma until his death in 2014. [102] [103] he was replaced as prime minister by Ehud Olmert, who led the party through the general election in March. [104]

Shalom intended on challenging Netanyahu a second time in 2007, but withdrew when the election date was moved forwards. [105] [106] He retired from politics in 2015 following allegations of sexual misconduct. [107] Feiglin challenged Netanyahu again in 2007 and 2012, winning 23% of the vote in both races. [108] [109] He later served as a member of the Knesset for Likud between 2013 and 2015, when he left the party to form Zehut. [110] [111]

Katz remained in Likud, serving in different ministerial roles including as Minister of Transport (2009-2019), Foreign Affairs (2019-2020, 2024) and Finance (2020-2021). As of 2025, he serves as the Minister of Defense. [61]

Landau lost his Knesset seat in the 2006 election. He then left the party and served as a member of the Knesset for Yisrael Beiteinu from 2009 until his retirement in 2015. [112] [63]

Following the 2006 election, Mofaz became a Deputy Prime Minister in the Olmert cabinet. He later served as leader of Kadima from 2012 until his retirement from politics in 2015. [113] [114] [64]

Likud won 12 seats in the March election, [104] less than a third of the 38 seats the party won in 2003. [115] following the election, Olmert formed a new government, which did not include Likud. [104] Netanyahu was re-elected as leader of Likud in 2007, and later won the 2009 legislative election, which resulted in him forming a government and becoming the prime minister for a second time. [116] He served as prime minister from 2009 to 2021, and again since 2022. [5] [f]

Notes

  1. ↑ Signatures from 20% of Likud's central committee were required to trigger a vote
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 This section only includes positions held before November 2005
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Date of publication
  4. ↑ Among Likud members who were 'certain they will vote'
  5. ↑ This is a partial count and includes 98% of all votes cast in the election.
  6. ↑ As of July 2025, Netanyahu remains Prime Minister of Israel

References

  1. 1 2 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. ↑ "דרכו של נתניהו. מירושלים לארה"ב ובחזרה" [Netanyahu's path: from Jerusalem to the United States and back again]. Ynet (in Hebrew). 19 December 2005. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  3. ↑ "סילבן שלום" [Silvan Shalom]. Knesset (in Hebrew). Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  4. 1 2 "אריאל שרון ז"ל" [Ariel Sharon R.I.P]. Israel Democracy Institute (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "Benjamin Netanyahu". Knesset. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ 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.
  8. ↑ Rahat, Menachem (9 November 2004). ""קיבלנו איתותים שביבי נשאר"" ["We've received signals that Bibi is staying"]. Maariv nrg (in Hebrew). 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. ↑ 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. ↑ Somfalvi, Attila (30 August 2005). "נתניהו: שרון נטש את העקרונות, אני מתמודד" [Netanyahu: Sharon has abandoned the principles, I am running]. ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  12. ↑ Mualem, Mazal (7 July 2005). "לנדאו קרא להקדמת הפריימריס: שרון לא חלק מהמחנה הלאומי" [Landau called for early primaries: Sharon is not part of the National Camp]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  13. ↑ Somfalvi, Attila (21 August 2005). "חשד בליכוד: מתנגדי שרון זייפו חתימות לכינוס המרכז" [Suspicion in Likud: Sharon's opposition faked signatures to convene central committee]. ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  14. ↑ Mualem, Mazal (30 August 2005). "החל המהלך להדחת שרון מהנהגת הליכוד" [The move to oust Sharon as Likud leader has begun]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  15. ↑ Mualem, Mazal (18 September 2005). "נוסח איגרת נתניהו ולנדאו לחברי מרכז הליכוד" [Text of Netanyahu and Landau's letter to the members of Likud's central committee]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  16. ↑ Mualem, Mazal (25 September 2005). ""ליל מיקרופונים" נוסף בליכוד: שרון לא נאם בשל חבלה במיקרופון; נתניהו: מי שרוצה לפרוש - שיפרוש עכשיו" [Another 'Night of the Microphones' in Likud: Sharon didn't speak due to sabotage of microphone; Netanyahu: whoever wants to quit - should quit now]. TheMarker (in Hebrew). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  17. ↑ Somfalvi, Attila (25 September 2005). "לבנת לימין נתניהו: תומכת בהקדמת הפריימריז" [Livnat to the right of Netanyahu: I support early primaries]. ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  18. ↑ Somfalvi, Attila (27 September 2005). "אין פריימריז: שרון ניצח ב-104 קולות" [No primaries: Sharon won by 104 votes]. ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  19. ↑ Mualem, Mazal; Ettinger, Yair (27 September 2005). "שרון גבר על נתניהו בהפרש של 104 קולות" [Sharon triumphed over Netanyahu by 104 votes]. Haaretz. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ 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.
  22. ↑ "Peres quits Labor Party, backs Sharon". CNN . 30 November 2005. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  23. ↑ 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.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ "שרון ופרץ סיכמו: הולכים לבחירות מוקדמות בין פברואר למארס 2006" [Sharon and Peretz have agreed: headed for early election between February and March 2006]. Globes (in Hebrew). 17 November 2005. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  27. 1 2 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.
  28. ↑ 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.
  29. ↑ 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.
  30. ↑ "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.
  31. ↑ Sofer, Roni (7 December 2005). "הנגבי פורש: טובת המדינה גוברת על טובת הליכוד" [Hanegbi quits: "what's best for the country overtakes what's best for Likud"]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  32. ↑ "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.
  33. ↑ Stern Hoffman, Gil (7 December 2005). "5 ministers to jointly run Likud until primaries". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  34. ↑ 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.
  35. 1 2 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.
  36. 1 2 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.
  37. ↑ "Ex-Israeli PM supportive of strike on Iran". NBC News. 5 December 2005. Retrieved 19 June 2025– via Associated Press.
  38. ↑ 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.
  39. ↑ Gutman, Matthew (30 November 2005). "Shalom campaign off to a shaky start". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  40. 1 2 "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.
  41. ↑ Azoulay, Yuval (15 December 2005). "Hundreds Attend Silvan Shalom Rally". Haaretz. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  42. ↑ 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.
  43. ↑ Stern Hoffman, Gil (8 December 2005). "Virtual debate: Moshe Feiglin". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  44. ↑ "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.
  45. ↑ Fendel, Hillel (22 November 2005). "The Likud Candidates Speak". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  46. ↑ Azoulay, Yuval; Galili, Lilly; Mualem, Mazal (1 December 2005). "בכירים בליכוד: המורדים אחראים להתרסקות המפלגה" [Senior Likud officials: the rebels are responsible for the party's collapse]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  47. ↑ Gil, Stern Hoffman (6 December 2005). "Katz purging Sharon loyalists from ranks of Likud". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  48. ↑ 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.
  49. ↑ Lazaroff, Tovah (24 November 2005). "Feiglin bid looks to save Likud". The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  50. 1 2 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.
  51. ↑ 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.
  52. ↑ Stern Hoffman, Gil (27 November 2005). "Shalom calls for Likud debate". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  53. ↑ 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.
  54. ↑ Stern, Gill; Hoffman, Stern (8 December 2005). "Virtual debate: Shaul Mofaz". The Jerusalem Post . Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  55. ↑ 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.
  56. ↑ "Mofaz: If elected, Likud won't quit PM's gov't". The Jerusalem Post . 24 November 2005. Retrieved 22 June 2022.
  57. ↑ Sofer, Roni (11 December 2005). "מופז עוזב את הליכוד, עובר לקדימה" [Mofaz leaves Likud, moves to Kadima]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 7 June 2022.
  58. ↑ 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.
  59. ↑ "חבר הכנסת סילבן שלום" [Member of the Knesset Silvan Shalom]. m.knesset.gov.il (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2 May 2022.
  60. ↑ "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.
  61. 1 2 "Israel Katz". Knesset. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  62. ↑ "Ariel Sharon". Knesset. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  63. 1 2 "Uzi Landau". Knesset. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  64. 1 2 "שאול מופז" [Shaul Mofaz]. Knesset (in Hebrew). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  65. 1 2 Verter, Yossi (9 August 2005). "סקר "הארץ": מהפך דרמטי בליכוד - נתניהו מביס את שרון בקרב המתפקדים" [Surprise in Likud: Netanyahu defeats Sharon amongst party members]. TheMarker (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  66. 1 2 Lener, Aaron (11 August 2005). "Poll: 52%:35% Support disengagement, 92% protests no impact, plurality - ministers opposing disengagement should resign, 30%:51% Netanyahu's resignation mistake, 24 mandates for Sharon party". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  67. ↑ Lerner, Aaron (25 August 2005). "Poll: 36%:46% Advance elections,". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  68. 1 2 Lerner, Aaron (25 August 2005). "53%:37% Likud Central Comm. wants meeting to set early primaries". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  69. 1 2 Verter, Yossi (24 August 2005). "נתניהו מגדיל הפער על שרון בקרב מתפקדי הליכוד" [Netanyahu increases lead over Sharon with Likud members]. TheMarker (in Hebrew). Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  70. 1 2 Lerner, Aaron (24 August 2005). "Poll of Likud members: Netanyahu 46.9% vs Sharon 30.5%: Landau 45% vs Sharon 37%". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  71. ↑ Lerner, Aaron (28 August 2005). "Poll: 41%:31% Disengagement brings terror not peace, 51%:40% Sharon should retire". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  72. 1 2 Verter, Yossi (6 September 2005). "הפער של נתניהו בקרב מתפקדי הליכוד צנח ב-11%" [Netanyahu's lead among Likud Members drops by 11%]. TheMarker (in Hebrew). Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  73. 1 2 Lerner, Aaron (10 September 2005). "[Correction]Poll: 3 Party Composition Scenarios, 3-way Sharon 31% Netanyahu 29% Landau 24%, 2-Way Netanyahu 41% Landau 39%". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  74. 1 2 Lerner, Aaron (8 September 2005). "Poll: 49%:40% Likud Central Comm. supports early primaries". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  75. ↑ Lerner, Aaron (21 September 2005). "Poll: Likud Central Comm. members: advance primaries 49%:40% Wouldn't beleive Sharon declaration tht stayinf if lose 41%:35% [sic]". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  76. 1 2 Verter, Yossi (28 September 2005). "מהפך בליכוד: סקר חדש מראה כי שרון מביס את נתניהו - 47% מול 34%" [Surprise in Likud: New poll shows Sharon defeating Netanyahu 47% to 34%]. TheMarker (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  77. 1 2 Lerner, Aaron (10 November 2005). "Poll of Likud Members Sharon 43.8% Netanyahu 26.3% Landau 12.4% - 59.4% don't advance elections". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  78. 1 2 Verter, Yossi (16 November 2005). "סקר: שרון מגדיל הפער על נתניהו; מקורביו: הוא נוטה להישאר בליכוד" [Poll: Sharon increases lead over Netanyahu. His associates: He leans towards staying in Likud]. TheMarker (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  79. ↑ "סקר: 33 מנדטים לשרון, 26 לעבודה, 12 לליכוד" [Poll: 33 Seats for Shaon, 26 for Labor, 12 for Likud]. ynet (in Hebrew). 22 November 2005. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  80. ↑ Lerner, Aaron (26 November 2005). "Poll: Likud jheaded by Mofaz 18 by Netanyahu 14". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  81. 1 2 Lerner, Aaron (24 November 2005). "Poll of Likud members: Netanyahu 29% Shalom 12% Mofaz 22% Landau 14%, 49% voting Likud". imra.org.il. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  82. ↑ Lerner, Aaron (25 November 2005). "Polls: Sharon Party 33-34 Labor 26-28 Likud 13". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  83. 1 2 "סקר: "קדימה" 33 מנדטים, עבודה 26, ליכוד 13" [Poll: Kadima 33 Seats, Labor 26, Likud 13]. ynet (in Hebrew). 25 November 2005. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  84. 1 2 Lerner, Aaron (2 December 2005). "Poll: Likud members: Netanyahu 39% Mofaz 21% Shalom 14% Landau 9% Feiglin 8% Katz 2% Undecided 7%". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  85. 1 2 Lerner, Aaron (8 December 2005). "Poll: More mandates for Likud headed by Netanyahu [16] than Mofaz or Shalom [11] Likud members: Netanyahu 36% Mofaz 19% Shalom 13% Katz 5% Feiglin 12%". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  86. 1 2 3 Lerner, Aaron (9 December 2005). "2 Polls: Sharon Party 39-41 Labor 16-23 Likud 13-16; Feiglin rises". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  87. 1 2 Eyal, Nadav (13 December 2005). "סקר: סילבן מתחזק, ביבי מנצח" [Poll: Silvan grows in strength, Bibi wins]. Maariv nrg (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  88. 1 2 Verter, Yossi (14 December 2005). "שבוע לפריימריס בליכוד: רוב גדול לבנימין נתניהו על סילבן שלום" [A week until Likud Primaries: Large lead for Netanyahu over Silvan Shalom]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). Retrieved 15 June 2025.
  89. ↑ "שלום מצמצם פערים: רק 10% פחות מנתניהו" [Shalom narrows the gap: only 10% less tthan Netanyahu]. ynet (in Hebrew). 13 December 2005. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  90. 1 2 Marciano, Ilan (15 December 2005). "סקר: כמעט שוויון בין שלום לנתניהו" [Poll: Netanyahu and Shalom nearly tied]. ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  91. 1 2 Lerner, Aaron (15 December 2005). "Poll: Netanyahu 40.2% Shalom 39.0%". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  92. ↑ "סקר חדש: נתניהו מביס את שרון" [New poll: Netanyahu defeats Sharon]. Maariv nrg (in Hebrew). 9 August 2005. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  93. ↑ "סקר "גלובס": 42% ממצביעי הליכוד רוצים את שרון בראש, 30% את נתניהו" ["Globes" Poll: 42% of Likud voters want Sharon as leader, 30% want Netanyahu]. Globes (in Hebrew). 11 August 2005. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  94. ↑ Lerner, Aaron (12 August 2005). "Poll: Sharon/Peres/Lapid Party 38 seats, Slated for evacuation: 71% haven't prepared alternative housing, 55% don't plan to leave". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  95. ↑ Mualem, Mazal (23 August 2005). "שבועיים אחרי התפטרות נתניהו - סקר חדש קובע: שרון זוכה ל-36% תמיכה בקרב מתפקדי הליכוד ונתניהו - ל-28%" [Two weeks after Netanyahu's resignation - New poll shows: Sharon wins 36% among likud Members and Netanyahu - 28%]. TheMarker (in Hebrew). Retrieved 16 June 2025.
  96. ↑ Lerner, Aaron (1 September 2005). "Poll-Likud members: Sharon 34% Netanyahu 45%, 50%:32% Likud will break up, More trustworthy:Sharon 41% Netanyahu 31%". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  97. ↑ Lerner, Aaron (1 September 2005). "Poll: 3 election scenarios, Likud voters prefer Sharon over Netanyahu 52.6%:33.4%". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  98. ↑ Lerner, Aaron (30 September 2005). "Poll of Likud members:Landau 37.2% Netanyahu 29.1% in head to head". imra.org.il. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  99. ↑ "נתניהו ניצח בבחירות בליכוד עם 44.4% - וואלה! חדשות". Walla! (in Hebrew). 20 December 2005. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  100. ↑ 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.
  101. ↑ "ממשלת ישראל השלושים" [Thirtieth government of Israel]. Knesset (in Hebrew). Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  102. ↑ "Sharon's stroke blood 'drained'". BBC News . 5 January 2006. Archived from the original on 11 February 2006.
  103. ↑ 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.
  104. 1 2 3 "בחירות 2006" [2006 elections]. Israel Democracy Institute (in Hebrew). Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  105. ↑ Somfalvi, Attila (9 July 2007). "שלום לא מתמודד: "הליכוד - כמו הבעת' בסוריה"" [Shalom is not running: "Likud - like the Ba'ath in Syria"]. ynet (in Hebrew). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  106. ↑ "הליכוד הקדים הפריימריז; נתניהו: ברק חובבן ופזיז" [Likud moves primaries forwards. Netanyahu: Barak is a reckless amateur]. Haaretz (in Hebrew). 11 July 2007. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  107. ↑ Tuchfeld, Mati; Saban, Itsik; Harel, Zvi; Cesana, Shlomo (21 December 2015). "Interior minister resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations". Israel Hayom . Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  108. ↑ "סיכום פריימריס 2007 לפי אתר הצבעה" [Recap of 2007 primaries by precinct](PDF). Likud (in Hebrew). Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 September 2007. Retrieved 30 April 2022.
  109. ↑ "Netanyahu won the Likud battle, but he may lose the war". Haaretz. 3 February 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  110. ↑ "משה זלמן פייגלין" [Moshe Zalman Feiglin]. Knesset (in Hebrew). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  111. ↑ Stern Hoffman, Gil (30 March 2015). "Feiglin to register new political party". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  112. ↑ Zarchia, Tzvi (17 February 2007). "Knesset Members on Their Way to Wealth". Haaretz (in Hebrew). Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  113. ↑ Ophir Bar-Zohar; Jonathan Lis; Natasha Mozgovaya (28 March 2012). "Shaul Mofaz beats Tzipi Livni in Kadima leadership primaries". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 21 June 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2013.
  114. ↑ Benari, Elad (28 January 2015). "Mofaz Resigns from Politics". Israel National News. Retrieved 22 June 2025.
  115. ↑ "בחירות 2003" [2003 elections]. Israel Democracy Institute (in Hebrew). Retrieved 8 June 2022.
  116. ↑ "בחירות 2009" [2009 elections]. Israel Democracy Institute (in Hebrew). Retrieved 2 May 2022.
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