Likud Party Loses Its Core Ideology, Becomes Shell of Its Former Self

The Likud party has undergone a significant transformation in recent years, shifting from its historical national-liberal identity to one dominated by a minority of organized groups and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently facing criminal charges. This shift is evident in the party's internal processes and its policy stances, diverging sharply from the principles espoused by its founder, Menachem Begin.

Historically, the Likud defined itself as a national-liberal party, maintaining right-wing positions on political matters while upholding the rule of law and civil rights. This was exemplified by Menachem Begin's acceptance of a Supreme Court ruling against settlement construction on private Arab land in 1979, famously stating, "There are judges in Israel." The party also distanced itself from the far-right Kach party led by Meir Kahane in the 1980s, with then-Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir calling Kahane a "dangerous figure."

However, the party's current composition and direction are starkly different. The selection of candidates for the 2026 elections is determined by approximately 75,177 party members, a mere 7% of the Likud's total voters. A significant portion of these members are affiliated with organized groups, including the "Jewish Leadership" faction led by Moshe Feiglin, and settler groups from "My Likud." Research suggests that many of these religiously motivated members do not vote for the Likud in general elections, a phenomenon described as a "Trojan horse" strategy.

This internal shift has led to a change in the party's core values. While only 40% of Likud voters supported the recent judicial overhaul, 61.1% of party members did. Furthermore, former Likud officials like Dan Meridor and Beni Begin, son of the party's founder, have expressed strong criticism, with Beni Begin calling the party a "lying machine." Even figures like former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, who identified with Begin's legacy, were sidelined.

The article also highlights a perceived erosion of the rule of law within the party. Prime Minister Netanyahu, facing multiple indictments, has been a central figure in efforts to weaken the judiciary, including attempts to dismiss the Attorney General and the head of the Shin Bet. The party's platform now appears to align with the agenda of religiously motivated factions who seek to subordinate state institutions to Halakha, a departure from the Likud's liberal past. This transformation has led to a downgrade in Israel's democracy index by the V-Dem Institute, which cited the "attack on the justice system" as a key reason.

In contrast, opposition parties like Yisrael Beiteinu, Yesh Atid, and Yamina are presented as upholding the values of the "old Likud," supporting the full enlistment of the ultra-Orthodox, maintaining the rule of law, and advocating for state inquiry committees into the failures preceding the October 7th attacks.