ABSTRACT
The Likud under Yitzhak Rabin's second government could be characterized by confusion, bewilderment, and even "shell shock." The apparent lack of interest in the election on the part of many Israelis is all the more interesting in view of the clear and long-term ideological polarization in the country between Labor and Likud supporters as well as leaders. Labor skillfully linked the investment in the occupied territories with the lack of investment in the creation of jobs, housing projects in Israel proper, and other priorities. The nonpartisan voters and others were concerned with issues such as unemployment and housing and were troubled by what they perceived as failures of leadership and government performance. Labor, as the opposition party, gained from the dominance of these types of "valence" issues in the 1992 campaign. The replacement of Shimon Peres by Yitzhak Rabin—supported by many of Labor's doves— was a sine qua non for Labor's victory.
