Milestones
Milestones
Significant Milestones throughout the Likud Movement
1948
Establishment of the State of Israel, Menahem Begin establishes the Herut movement and stands at its head.
The Fifties
The Herut movement leads the public struggle against accepting reparations from Germany.
1965
The Herut party and the Liberal party united and became an electoral bloc and established the Herut-Liberal bloc, "Gachal".
1967
On the eve of the Six Day War "Gachal" joined the national Likud government, which was led by Menahem Begin. He led as a minister without a portfolio, and the chief minister who summoned for the liberation of Jerusalem.
1970
Gachal split from the government after its opposition to the Rogers Plan, concerning the return of settlements released in 1967.
1973
"Gachal" unites with other parties and establishes the "Likud" as a joint electoral list.
1977
May 17, 1977 - the historic revolution: the Likud wins 45 seats and Menahem Begin assembles a government. On November 19th, 1977 Egyptian President Anwar Sadat responds to Menahem Begin's invitation and arrives for a historic visit in Jerusalem.
1978
In January 1978 the Likud government, with a revolutionary social initiative, plans and implements the neighborhood rehabilitation project. Menahem Begin brings Camp David Accords for the Knesset's approval. The Knesset decisively approves the Camp David Accords, brought about by Prime Minister Begin.
1979
On March 3, 1979 Begin brings about the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab country to be signed. Begin and Sadat sign the agreement in Washington.
1980
Menahem Begin and Anwar Sadat receive the Nobel Peace Prize. The Likud government passes the Jerusalem Law in the Knesset
1981
The Likud government passes the Golan Law in the Knesset. Prime Minister Begin orders the bombing of Iraq's nuclear facilities in Baghdad. The Likud wins the most decisive electoral victory in its history up to that point, with 48 seats and assembles a new government.
1982
The Likud government approves the implementation of "Operation Peace of the Galilee" for the elimination of terrorist attacks in the northern communities of Israel.
1983
Menahem Begin announces his decision to resign as prime minister and leader of the Likud party, and leaves the political arena; the Likud selects Yitzhak Shamir as its new leader.
1984
In the general elections, Likud wins 41 seats and establishes a national unity government with the labor party.
1985
Operation Moses, the project to help Ethiopian Jews immigrate to Israel through Sudan, concludes.
1986
Yitzhak Shamir becomes prime minister as a result of the rotation agreement with the Labor party.
1987
The Likud government signs memorandum of understanding with the United States with reference to Israel as a main ally of the United States who is not a member of NATO.
1988
"Herut" and the Liberal party unite to become one party, until this time these two parties ran on a joint electoral list. In the general elections, the Likud wins 40 seats and establishes a national unity government, when Yitzhak Shamir leads as prime minister.
1989
The Likud wins a stirring victory in the municipal elections. The mass aliyah of Soviet Jews begins, and the Likud government focuses on the aliyah absorption process.
1990
The national unity government falls due to the "illegal practice" of the Labor party, and the Likud establishes a narrow government, led by Shamir.
1991
The Gulf War: the Likud government holds back Iraqi missile shooting on Israel and earns international sympathy. The Likud government initiates and implements the full operation of the aliyah of Ethiopian Jewry to Israel. On October 31, 1991, the Madrid Conference took place. For the first time in 43 years, direct negotiations took place between Israel and Arab states. At the head of the Israeli delegation, stood prime minister Yitzhak Shamir.
1992
On March 9th Menachem Begin z"l, former prime minister and minister of security passes away. The Likud loses in the general elections and stands as the opposition to the Labor party. Yitzhak Shamir leaves the Likud leadership and continues to serve as Knesset member until 1996.
1993
Benjamin Netanyahu is chosen to lead the Likud party, after he wins in the primaries for the leadership of the movement and receives more than 52 percent of the votes. The Likud wins a striking victory in the municipal elections in the majority of cities in Israel. Ehud Olmert is elected as mayor of Jerusalem.
1994
Benjamin Netanyahu leads comprehensive reform in the Likud party, including many structural changes that make the party more efficient and improves its financial situation. The Likud completely erases its debts, totaling 70 million shekels. Benjamin Netanyahu is to become the first Likud leader to visit Jordan after accepting King Hussein and Prince Hassan's invitation to meet in their palace.
1995
November 4 1995: Yitzhak Rabin, prime minister and minister of defense of Israel is assassinated at the end of the assembly of leftist parties supporting the Oslo process. Israel admonishes the criminal act.
1996
The Likud Tzomet and Gesher establish a joint electoral list for the general elections. In the general elections of 1996, Benjamin Netanyahu is elected to lead as the ninth prime minister of Israel, the first prime minister to be elected in a direct election. The Likud government carries out dramatic changes in all areas of the government. Radical change in the administration of negotiations with the Palestinians takes place; Israel demands from the outset reciprocity in the fulfillment of political agreements. In the economy, Netanyahu accomplishes massive privatization of government businesses, a significant decrease of government deficit, a reduction in inflation by 4%, the lowest level in 30 years, reform in the Israeli capital wealth market, and the reversal of the shekel to a convertible currency. With instruction of the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu speeds up the "A Computer for Every Child" project.
1997
On January 1997, the Likud government signs the Hebron Agreement, calling for the redeployment of the Israeli military forces in Hebron. Massive privation of the markets continues. The Likud government begins the revolution of telecommunications in Israel and develops the international telecommunications market. The economic revolution -lowers inflation to a single-digit level, similar to Europe and the United States.
1998
In April of 1998 the Likud government brings about reform in the capital market, liberalization of the foreign currency market, and the shekel becomes a convertible currency in world markets. In the United States, the Wye Agreement is signed - for the first time, against all the accords made by the leftist government, the Likud government demands reciprocity in the fulfillment of responsibilities outlined in past agreements with the Palestinians. The communications revolution continues, with the privatization of Bezek, a third cellular operator, and satelllite transmission. The government also decides to privatize El Al Airlines. The Likud government for the first time implements a program extending the length of school days in developing cities. The Likud government establishes an inter-office committee for prevention of domestic violence. A governmental authority for the progress of the status of women is established. By the end of the year, 10,000 computers were distributed to children throughout the country within the framework of the "A Computer for Every Child" project.
1999
On May 17 Ehud Barak is elected as prime minister of Israel. Benjamin Netanyahu leaves his position as Likud party leader. The Likud party becomes the opposition. On September 2nd Ariel Sharon wins in the primaries for the leadership of the Likud.
2000
On July 31 Likud candidate, Moshe Katsav, is elected as Israel's president. On February 6th, due to the failure of the Barak government general elections take place for a new prime minister. Likud candidate, Ariel Sharon, is elected as prime minister with a majority of 63 percent.
2002
April: due to the series of severe terrorist attacks by the Palestinians, the government instructs the military on the development of the security barrier, in order to prevent further terrorist attacks.
2003
On January 28th the Likud wins 38 seats in the 16th Knesset elections. After the elections, the political party "Israel be'Aliyah" (Israel in Ascent) which won two seats in the Knesset, merged with the Likud party. On May 3rd, the Knesset accepts Benjamin Netanyahu's, minister of finance, plan for the "recovery of the Israeli economy".
2004
Prime Minister Ariel Sharon disseminates the disengagement plan from the Gaza and northern Samaria regions and ignites a political storm. Following this crisis, Sharon suggests to conduct a survey on the party members' attitudes toward the plan for its approval. On May 2nd Likud party members vote against Sharon's plan (59% versus 41%).
2005
On August 7th minister of finance Benjamin Netanyahu resigns from government in protest of the disengagement plan. On August 17th the evacuation of Jews from Gaza begins in Gush Katif, according to Sharon's plan. On November 21st Likud leader Ariel Sharon announces he is leaving the Likud party with a group of Knesset members to establish a new party, named "Kadima". On December 19th in the elections for the leadership of the Likud party Benjamin Netanyahu wins by 44%.
2006
On January 4th, prime minister Ariel Sharon is hospitalized in Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital in Jerusalem. Israel prays for his speedy recovery. Ehud Olmert fills his place. In the March 28th, general elections, the Likud party wins 12 seats. Benjamin Netanyahu is head of the opposition. On July 12, on the northern border, soldiers on reserve duty, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev are kidnapped and the cities of the north are destroyed by Hezbollah missiles. The Likud leadership supports the activities of the military and the objectives of the government. During the war against Hezbollah, Netanyahu sets out on an international awareness campaign.
