The Israeli Left in the 1999 Elections

Giora Goldberg

Following three years in opposition, the Israeli Left came back to power in the 1999 elections. Barak achieved 56 per cent while his opponent, Netanyahu, the incumbent prime minister, gained 44 per cent. Barak won the 1997 primaries in the Labor party, defeating two extreme doves (Ben-Ami and Beilin) and former health minister Sneh. Barak’s success was rooted in his brilliant military career, his anti-politics image, and his centrist positions. His support from the new Russian Jewish immigrants and antagonism toward the Sephardi religious Shas party contributed to his overwhelming electoral triumph. Despite his success, Labor dropped to 26 parliamentary seats, although it remained the largest political party in the Knesset.