Editing Likud (section)

===Netanyahu's second term===
Netanyahu went on to win a [[2005 Likud leadership election|leadership election]] to replace Sharon in December, obtaining 44.4% of the vote. Shalom came in a second with 33%, while far-right candidate [[Moshe Feiglin]] achieved 12.4% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Marciano |first1=Ilan |last2=Somfalvi |first2=Attila |date=2005-12-19 |script-title=he:נתניהו: נחזור להנהגה, כולנו הולכים קדימה |language=he |trans-title=Netanyahu: we will return to leadership, we are all moving forwards |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3186995,00.html |access-date=2022-06-08 |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221232613/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3186995,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |author=ToI Staff |title=Far-right ex-MK Feiglin dips feet back into Likud after failed solo Knesset run |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/far-right-ex-mk-feiglin-dips-feet-back-into-likud-after-failed-bid-to-go-solo/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225000213/https://www.timesofisrael.com/far-right-ex-mk-feiglin-dips-feet-back-into-likud-after-failed-bid-to-go-solo/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to Shalom's performance, Netanyahu guaranteed him the second place on the party's list of Knesset candidates.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zohar |first=Avishay |date=2005-12-21 |script-title=he:נתניהו לשלום: אשריין לך את המקום השני |url=https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART1/023/085.html |access-date=2023-02-21 |website=Makor Rishon |archive-date=21 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221231956/https://www.makorrishon.co.il/nrg/online/1/ART1/023/085.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Polls before the 2006 election showed a substantial reduction in the Likud's support, with Kadima achieving a dominant polling lead.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Netanyahu set for Sharon clash |date=December 19, 2005 |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/19/likud.primaries/index.html |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=CNN |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225000213/https://edition.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/12/19/likud.primaries/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Image:Likudtruck.jpg|right|thumb|A truck canvassing for Likud in [[Jerusalem]] in advance of the [[2006 Israeli legislative election|2006 election]]]]
In January 2006 Sharon suffered a stroke that left him in a vegetative state, leading to his replacement as Kadima leader by Ehud Olmert,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Joffe |first=Lawrence |date=2014-01-11 |title=Ariel Sharon obituary |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/11/ariel-sharon |access-date=2023-02-24 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=25 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230225000215/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/11/ariel-sharon |url-status=live }}</ref> who led Kadima to victory in the election, winning 29 seats. The Likud experienced a substantial loss in support, coming in fourth place and winning only 12, while other right-wing nationalist parties such as [[Yisrael Beiteinu]], which came within 116 votes of overtaking Likud, gained votes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=בחירות 2006 |url=https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/elections/2006/ |access-date=2023-02-25 |website=www.idi.org.il |language=he |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308142748/https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/elections/2006/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Every Vote Counts |language=en |work=Haaretz |url=https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2013-01-18/ty-article/.premium/nehemia-shtrasler-every-vote-counts/0000017f-f367-d487-abff-f3ffd4ad0000 |access-date=2023-02-24 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128105400/https://www.haaretz.com/opinion/2013-01-18/ty-article/.premium/nehemia-shtrasler-every-vote-counts/0000017f-f367-d487-abff-f3ffd4ad0000 |url-status=live }}</ref> After the election, Netanyahu was re-elected Likud Leader in [[2007 Likud leadership election|2007]], defeating Feiglin and World Likud Chairman [[Danny Danon]].<ref>{{Cite news |script-title=he:תוצאות סופיות בליכוד: נתניהו עם 73% הביס את פייגלין מהימין הקיצוני עם 23% |journal=TheMarker |url=https://www.themarker.com/career/1.454094 |access-date=2022-05-02 |archive-date=2 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220502102639/https://www.themarker.com/career/1.454094 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |script-title=he:סיכום פריימריס 2007 לפי אתר הצבעה |url=http://www.likud.org.il/files/wordocs/Prim_l.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928223317/http://www.likud.org.il/files/wordocs/Prim_l.pdf |archive-date=2007-09-28 |access-date=2022-04-30 |website=Likud |language=he}}</ref>

Following the opening of several criminal investigations against Olmert,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kershner |first=Isabel |date=2008-07-31 |title=Olmert to Quit After Elections in September |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/world/middleeast/31mideast.html |access-date=2023-02-28 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530121645/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/world/middleeast/31mideast.html |url-status=live }}</ref> he resigned as prime minister on 21 September 2008 and retired from politics.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Madzini |first=Ronen |date=2008-09-21 |script-title=he:תם עידן: אולמרט הגיש מכתב התפטרות לנשיא |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3599974,00.html |access-date=2023-02-27 |archive-date=28 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230228000535/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-3599974,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2009 Israeli legislative election|ensuing snap election]], held in 2009, Likud won 27 seats, the second-largest number of seats and one seat less than Kadima, now led by [[Tzipi Livni]]. However, Likud's allies won enough seats to allow Netanyahu to form a government, which included Likud, Yisrael Beiteinu, [[Shas]], [[United Torah Judaism]], [[The Jewish Home]], and Labor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2009 Israeli election |url=https://en.idi.org.il/israeli-elections-and-parties/elections/2009/ |access-date=2022-05-02 |website=[[Israel Democracy Institute]] |archive-date=1 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401015213/https://en.idi.org.il/israeli-elections-and-parties/elections/2009/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |script-title=he:בחירות 2009 {{!}} אביגדור ליברמן אמר את דברו: בנימין נתניהו יהיה ראש הממשלה הבא |language=he |work=[[Haaretz]] |url=https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2009-02-19/ty-article/0000017f-e3af-d804-ad7f-f3ffd6de0000 |access-date=2023-02-28 |archive-date=28 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240128105403/https://www.haaretz.co.il/news/politics/2009-02-19/ty-article/0000017f-e3af-d804-ad7f-f3ffd6de0000 |url-status=live }}</ref> Labor left the coalition in 2011 after party leader Ehud Barak left to form his own party, [[Independence (Israeli political party)|Independence]], that remained a member of Netanyahu's government.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Somfalvi |first=Attila |date=2011-01-17 |script-title=he:אהוד ברק כתב: נמשיך את מסורת מפא"י |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4014698,00.html |access-date=2023-03-01 |archive-date=8 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230308141134/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4014698,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The next year, Netanyahu was [[2012 Likud leadership election|re-elected]] as Likud leader, defeating Moshe Feiglin.<ref name="result">{{cite news |date=3 February 2012 |title=Netanyahu won the Likud battle, but he may lose the war |newspaper=Haaretz |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/opinion/netanyahu-won-the-likud-battle-but-he-may-lose-the-war-1.410721 |access-date=3 February 2012 |archive-date=1 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301182805/https://www.haaretz.com/1.5180842 |url-status=live }}</ref> Kadima then joined the coalition in May 2012 before leaving in July.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Azulay |first1=Moran |last2=Somfalvi |first2=Attila |date=2012-07-17 |script-title=he:מופז פרש מהממשלה: "נתניהו בחר במשתמטים" |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4256776,00.html |access-date=2023-03-01 |archive-date=1 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301004459/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4256776,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Following Kadima's withdrawal from the government and amid disagreements related to the 2013 budget, the Knesset was dissolved in October 2012 and a [[2013 Israeli legislative election|snap election]] was called for January 2013.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2012-10-16 |title=Israeli parliament dissolved ahead of early elections |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/16/israeli-parliament-dissolved-early-elections |access-date=2023-03-03 |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307220007/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/16/israeli-parliament-dissolved-early-elections |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Partnership with Yisrael Beitenu and 2015 election ====
Several days after the election was called on 25 October 2012, Netanyahu and Yisrael Beitenu leader [[Avigdor Lieberman]] announced that their respective political parties would run together on a single ballot in the election under the name [[Likud Yisrael Beiteinu]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Leshem |first=Elie |title=Netanyahu, Liberman announce they'll run joint list for Knesset |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-announces-merger-with-israel-beytenu-promises-to-lead-with-strength/ |newspaper=The Times of Israel |access-date=27 October 2012 |archive-date=27 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027064830/http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-announces-merger-with-israel-beytenu-promises-to-lead-with-strength/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The move led to speculation that Lieberman would eventually seek the leadership of Likud after he stated that he "wanted to become the Prime Minister".<ref>{{cite news |date=26 October 2012 |title=Liberman: Every politician wants to become PM |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |url=http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Liberman-Every-politician-wants-to-become-PM |access-date=30 June 2015 |archive-date=11 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011154819/http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/Liberman-Every-politician-wants-to-become-PM |url-status=live }}</ref> Several days before the election, Lieberman said the parties would not merge, and that their direct partnership would end after the election.<ref>{{cite news |last=Verter |first=Yossi |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/lieberman-yisrael-beiteinu-s-marriage-to-likud-ends-at-election.premium-1.492096 |title=Lieberman: Yisrael Beiteinu's marriage to Likud ends at election |newspaper=Haaretz |date=6 January 2013 |access-date=20 June 2015 |archive-date=17 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017073629/http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel/lieberman-yisrael-beiteinu-s-marriage-to-likud-ends-at-election.premium-1.492096 |url-status=live }}</ref> The partnership ultimately lasted until July 2014, when it officially dissolved.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gur |first=Haviv Rettig |title=Liberman dissolves Likud-Beytenu Knesset partnership |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-yisrael-beytenu-to-sever-joint-knesset-list/ |access-date=2023-03-03 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304000529/https://www.timesofisrael.com/likud-yisrael-beytenu-to-sever-joint-knesset-list/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the 2013 elections the Likud–Yisrael Beiteinu alliance won 31 seats, 20 of which were Likud members.<ref>{{cite web |first=Edmund |last=Sanders |date=2013-02-02 |title=Netanyahu officially asked to put together new Israeli government |url=http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-netanyahu-asked-to-put-together-new-government-20130202,0,2826558.story |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203080225/http://www.latimes.com/news/world/worldnow/la-fg-netanyahu-asked-to-put-together-new-government-20130202,0,2826558.story |archive-date=2013-02-03 |access-date=2017-02-27 |website=[[The Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> The second largest party, [[Yair Lapid]]'s [[Yesh Atid]], won 19.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2013-01-23 |script-title=he:תוצאות האמת: ליכוד 31, לפיד 19, עבודה רק 15 |language=he |work=Ynet |url=https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4335940,00.html |access-date=2023-03-03 |archive-date=4 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230304000524/https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-4335940,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Netanyahu continued as prime minister after forming a coalition with Yesh Atid, the Jewish Home, and [[Hatnuah]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Jewish Home, Yesh Atid ink coalition deal with Likud-Beytenu |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/with-no-time-to-spare-a-government-is-formed/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307215826/https://www.timesofisrael.com/with-no-time-to-spare-a-government-is-formed/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The government collapsed in December 2014 due to disagreements over the budget and the proposed [[Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People|Nation-state bill]],<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 December 2014 |title=Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu fires 2 ministers, election likely |agency=CBC News |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel-s-benjamin-netanyahu-fires-2-ministers-election-likely-1.2857502 |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=4 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150504164200/http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/israel-s-benjamin-netanyahu-fires-2-ministers-election-likely-1.2857502 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-israel-politics-idUSKCN0JF1MR20141201 |title=Netanyahu says Israel could be headed to early election |work=Reuters |date=1 December 2014 |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307215820/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-israel-politics-idUSKCN0JF1MR20141201 |url-status=live }}</ref> triggering a [[2015 Israeli legislative election|snap election]] the next year.<ref name="TOI2">{{cite news |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-votes-unanimously-to-dissolve-ushering-in-new-elections/ |work=Knesset votes to dissolve, sets new elections for March 17 |title=Times of Israel |date=8 December 2014 |access-date=7 March 2023 |archive-date=16 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210516081133/https://www.timesofisrael.com/knesset-votes-unanimously-to-dissolve-ushering-in-new-elections/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Likud won the 2015 election, defeating the [[Zionist Union]], an alliance of Labor and Hatnuah, winning 30 seats to the Zionist Union's 24.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Netanyahu scores crushing victory in Israeli elections |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-claims-victory-as-vote-count-shows-likud-further-ahead/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307215826/https://www.timesofisrael.com/netanyahu-claims-victory-as-vote-count-shows-likud-further-ahead/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The party subsequently formed a government with United Torah Judaism, Shas, [[Kulanu]], and the Jewish Home.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rudoren |first=Jodi |date=2015-05-06 |title=Netanyahu Forms an Israeli Government, With Minutes to Spare |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/07/world/middleeast/netanyahu-israel-coalition-government.html |access-date=2023-03-07 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307215805/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/05/07/world/middleeast/netanyahu-israel-coalition-government.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2016, Yisrael Beitenu joined the government,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Liebermann |first=Oren |date=2016-05-25 |title=Israel's Netanyahu moves government further to the right |url=https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/25/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-nationalist-party/index.html |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=7 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307215744/https://www.cnn.com/2016/05/25/middleeast/israel-netanyahu-nationalist-party/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> before leaving in December 2018, causing Netanyahu to call a snap election for [[April 2019 Israeli legislative election|April 2019]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wootliff |first=Raoul |title=20th Knesset officially dissolves, sets elections for April 9, 2019 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/20th-knesset-officially-dissolves-sets-elections-for-april-9-2019/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=Times of Israel |language=en-US |archive-date=19 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190419001001/https://www.timesofisrael.com/20th-knesset-officially-dissolves-sets-elections-for-april-9-2019/ |url-status=live }}</ref>