Likud Leaders

This book is an exploration of the history and ideology of Revisionist Zionism—the stream of Zionism represented by the ruling Likud Party in Israel—from its inception in the 1920s under Vladimir Ze’ev Jabotinsky through its modification under Herut Party leader Menahem Begin to the present. The main features of Revisionist Zionism under Jabotinsky are discussed, with each of the four Likud Party leaders receiving two to three chapters covering his early life, early career and rise to party leadership and his legacy for the party and the state. An overview is given of the 1940s underground careers of Menahem Begin as leader of the paramilitary organization Irgun Zvai Leumi, and Yitzhak Shamir as leader of the Lohemei Herut Israel. In conclusion the author examines common characteristics that the five leaders share and how the party may evolve in the future.

Thomas G. Mitchell is the author of numerous books on such topics as Israel, Northern Ireland, and antebellum American history. He lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

Thomas G. Mitchell
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 232
Bibliographic Info: 29 photos, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2015
pISBN: 978-0-7864-9713-3
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1985-9
Imprint: McFarland

Table of Contents


Preface and Acknowledgments  1

One.  The Founder—Vladimir “Zeev” Jabotinsky—and the Creation of Revisionist Zionism  5

Two.  Menahem Begin, Underground Commander  26

Three.  A Party Is Born and Grows: From Herut to the Likud  48

Four.  Begin in Power, 1977–1983  60

Five.  Yitzhak Shamir’s Preparation  84

Six.  Prime Minister Shamir: The Great Procrastinator  105

Seven.  Sharon: A General for the Likud  124

Eight.  Netanyahu: King of the Princes  147

Nine.  “You will get him as prime minister”: Sharon as Prime Minister  168

Ten.  Bibi Melekh Israel (King of Israel)  185

Eleven.  The Future of the Likud  200

Chapter Notes  207

Bibliography  219

Index  223