# Likud: what they've published Close Read, episode 29. Likud (הליכוד), list 29, ballot letters מחל. Published October 18, 2026. Israel's Knesset election is on October 27, 2026. - Page: https://closeread.show/israel-2026/likud/ - Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_XtPYpd5Nk - Audio: https://media.closeread.show/audio/closeread-029-likud-06c8b7c1.mp3 Likud has not published a platform for this election. One promise I did find in writing is from Benjamin Netanyahu's own Telegram channel: "As long as I am prime minister, no Palestinian state will be established, not in Gaza and not in Judea and Samaria." [S4](#source-s4) ## Who is Likud? Likud is on the ballot under the letters Mem, Het, Lamed, "Machal," running as a single party with Benjamin Netanyahu at the top of the list. [S1](#source-s1) [S20](#source-s20) [S23](#source-s23) ## What has Likud published? Start with what isn't there. There's no platform document, what Israelis call a matza, on the Likud website, on the older Likud movement site, or on Netanyahu's personal site. [S1](#source-s1) [S20](#source-s20) The last Likud platform I could find on record is from the 2009 election, and it's archived by the Israel Democracy Institute, not by the party. [S21](#source-s21) [S22](#source-s22) That document is seventeen years old, so I'm not using it for this episode. Here's what does exist. The Likud website is one long page, in Hebrew. [S1](#source-s1) It has a section called "Our Way: Likud's Six Pillars," which is six short paragraphs of principles. [S1](#source-s1) Then a big section of government achievements, with sources, last checked September 23. [S1](#source-s1) Then the candidate list. [S1](#source-s1) Across the top is the campaign slogan, "Yamin o Falastin," "Right or Palestine." [S1](#source-s1) Most of the specific positions come from Netanyahu himself: posts on his official Telegram channel, and three long interviews he posted to his own YouTube channel between late August and late September. [S3](#source-s3) [S17](#source-s17) [S18](#source-s18) [S19](#source-s19) When I quote an interview, I'll say so, because that's someone talking, not a written platform. ## What does Likud say about security and foreign policy? The first pillar on the website is "Security without compromise": a strong IDF, "decisive victory over the enemy," and security for every citizen. [S1](#source-s1) Another pillar says united Jerusalem is Israel's capital forever, and calls for "strengthening settlement and sovereignty in all parts of the land." [S1](#source-s1) The site doesn't define "sovereignty." [S1](#source-s1) On a Palestinian state, Netanyahu has posted it more than once. In August he wrote that as long as he's prime minister, no Palestinian state will be established in Gaza or in Judea and Samaria. [S4](#source-s4) A second post twelve days later says no Palestinian state "controlled by Iran." [S3](#source-s3) In a Channel 14 interview he posted on August 30, he said, "There will not be, and we will not allow, a Palestinian state." [S19](#source-s19) On Gaza, a post from September 2 says Israel controls the territory and is "staying on this line," and that the goal is disarming Hamas and demilitarizing Gaza. [S5](#source-s5) In an i24 interview he posted on September 5, he said there would be no reconstruction before demilitarization. [S18](#source-s18) On Iran, he posted on September 9, "We are committed to defeating the terror regime in Iran, and we will do it." [S6](#source-s6) In the Channel 14 interview he said Iran won't have a nuclear weapon while he is prime minister. [S19](#source-s19) On Lebanon, a post says Israel will keep destroying terror infrastructure in what he calls the security zone. [S7](#source-s7) On the West Bank, a Likud statement in August talks about continuing "the historic momentum" in settlement in Judea and Samaria. [S11](#source-s11) In the Channel 14 interview he also said he's determined to stop settlers who go into Palestinian villages, saying "that's not your job." [S19](#source-s19) On foreign relations, the site pillar is "expanding the circle of peace" and strategic alliances. [S1](#source-s1) In a late September post, he wrote that he invited the presidents of Paraguay, Panama and Bolivia to join what he calls the "Isaac Accords," and called on them to join an American initiative to withdraw from what he called "the corrupt international court." [S13](#source-s13) ## What does Likud say about accountability for October 7? Nothing on the website. [S1](#source-s1) In the Channel 14 interview, Netanyahu said "we believe there should be a national commission of inquiry," which he called "equal": half opposition, half coalition. [S19](#source-s19) ## What does Likud say about the economy and the cost of living? The economy pillar says: free market, less regulation, more competition. [S1](#source-s1) In a conversation with Oren Dobronsky, posted to Netanyahu's YouTube channel on September 23, he said he's committed to breaking the remaining monopolies to lower prices, including food and pharmaceuticals. [S17](#source-s17) He also said, "I now commit" to appointing a new head of the Competition Authority. [S17](#source-s17) And he said the free market policy means keeping taxes low. [S17](#source-s17) ## What does Likud say about housing? The site mentions investment in housing in the periphery, with no details. [S1](#source-s1) The concrete item is for reserve soldiers. An August 9 post announces about twenty thousand apartments or plots on preferred terms in 2026 and 2027, and raises the reservists' share in the government's "discounted apartment" lotteries from half to three quarters. [S10](#source-s10) It also offers reservists free land value on plots in top priority areas, not counting development costs. [S10](#source-s10) That was announced as a government program. ## What does Likud say about religion and state? On Haredi military service, the website's achievements section reports a rise in Haredi enlistment and says "the mission continues": to widen the circle of those who serve and ease the burden on those who carry it. [S1](#source-s1) In the Channel 14 interview, Netanyahu said the draft law failed because "there were mistakes," and that it should be handled differently. [S19](#source-s19) He said whoever does not study Torah should enlist, and whoever says "we will die rather than enlist" should go straight to prison. [S19](#source-s19) I couldn't find a published position on Shabbat, marriage, conversion, or religious funding. ## What does Likud say about the judiciary and governance? Nothing on the website. [S1](#source-s1) In the Channel 14 interview Netanyahu said checks and balances between the branches have shifted to the unelected judiciary, and that balance must be restored. [S19](#source-s19) On judicial selection, he said a reform "has already started and is supposed to take effect in the new government." [S19](#source-s19) He did not give details. ## What does Likud say about education? The education pillar is "education for excellence and love of the land," connection to Jewish heritage, and pride in a Jewish and democratic state. [S1](#source-s1) In the Dobronsky conversation he said he wants AI education to start in first grade, and eventually in kindergarten. [S17](#source-s17) ## What does Likud say about health? The site mentions investment in health in the periphery. [S1](#source-s1) In an August post from Ariel, Netanyahu wrote, "We established a university here, we will build a hospital here." [S9](#source-s9) ## What does Likud say about social welfare, pensions and the elderly? I couldn't find a published position on pensions, the elderly, or welfare allowances. ## What does Likud say about Arab citizens and minorities? In July, Netanyahu posted about a plan against crime in Arab society that he says the government approved: the Shin Bet joins the police, about half a billion shekels, and new units against arms trafficking and crime organizations. [S14](#source-s14) In the Channel 14 interview he said, "This is the nation-state of the Jewish people. There are rights for others, but first of all it is our nation-state." [S19](#source-s19) Asked in the same interview about Arab building in the Negev and Galilee, he said he set up a team to bring farms into the Negev and Galilee, with preference for reservists. [S19](#source-s19) ## What does Likud say about immigration, absorption and the diaspora? I couldn't find a published position on immigration or the diaspora. ## What does Likud say about the environment, energy and transportation? The site mentions infrastructure. [S1](#source-s1) In the Dobronsky conversation he talked about gas, and repeated a suggestion he says came from Elon Musk to cover part of the Negev with solar panels, but he didn't present it as a plan. [S17](#source-s17) I couldn't find a published position on climate or transportation. ## What Likud puts front and center Two things. The slogan, "Right or Palestine," on the site and in his posts. [S1](#source-s1) [S12](#source-s12) And one more policy from a September 16 post: "We will revoke the citizenship of anyone who defames IDF soldiers around the world." [S8](#source-s8) The post doesn't say how that would work. [S8](#source-s8) He also said in the Dobronsky conversation that his goal is for Israel to become the third AI power within five years, after the US and China. [S17](#source-s17) ## What Likud hasn't published Likud has no platform for this election. There's no published position on pensions and the elderly, immigration and the diaspora, climate, transportation, or Shabbat, marriage and conversion. On the courts and on October 7, what exists comes from interviews, not from anything the party wrote down. ## Chapters - 0:00 Intro - 0:25 About this series - 0:55 Who they are - 1:06 What they've published - 2:29 Security and foreign policy - 4:58 October 7 accountability - 5:13 Economy and cost of living - 5:46 Housing - 6:21 Religion and state - 6:59 Judiciary and governance - 7:22 Education - 7:41 Health - 8:01 Welfare, Arab citizens - 8:44 Immigration, Environment - 9:09 What they put front and center - 9:39 What's missing ## Sources - S1: [likud.org.il home page (one-page site): "הדרך שלנו: ששת העמודים של הליכוד" (Our way: Likud's six pillars), "הישגים" (achievements, marked "נבדק ועודכן 23.09.2026"), ballot instructions ("בוחרים מחל"), slogan "ימין או פלסטין", candidate list](https://www.likud.org.il/) (Official website, Hebrew, published Undated; achievements block says updated 2026-09-23) - S2: [likud.org.il/youth.html, Likud Youth version of the same page: "העקרונות של הליכוד: שישה תחומים מרכזיים בעמדות התנועה", each labeled "עמדת הליכוד"](https://www.likud.org.il/youth.html) (Official website, Hebrew, published Undated) - S3: [Netanyahu post 7048: no Palestinian state "controlled by Iran" in Gaza or Judea and Samaria](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7048) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-08-22) - S4: [Netanyahu post 7026 (video caption): no Palestinian state in Gaza or Judea and Samaria](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7026) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-08-10) - S5: [Netanyahu post 7096: Gaza, "we stay on this line", disarm Hamas, demilitarize Gaza](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7096) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-09-02) - S6: [Netanyahu post 7118: Syria border, commitment to "decide" (defeat) the regime in Iran](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7118) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-09-09) - S7: [Netanyahu post 7136: Lebanon security zone policy](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7136) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-09-14) - S8: [Netanyahu post 7148 (video caption): revoke citizenship of those who "defame" IDF soldiers abroad](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7148) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-09-16) - S9: [Netanyahu post 7043 (video caption): Ariel, "we will build a hospital here"](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7043) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-08-19) - S10: [Netanyahu post 7025: housing program for reservists](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7025) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-08-09) - S11: ["הליכוד:" statement 7072 on continuing settlement in Judea and Samaria (addressed to Ben Gvir)](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7072) (Party statement (posted on leader's Telegram), Hebrew, published 2026-08-28) - S12: [Netanyahu post 7219: "ימין או פלסטין" campaign framing](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7219) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-09-29) - S13: [Netanyahu post 7196: "Isaac Accords" invitation, call to withdraw from "the corrupt international court" (court not named in the post)](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7196) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-09-24) - S14: [Netanyahu post 6996: government plan against crime in Arab society](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/6996) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-07-16) - S15: [Netanyahu post 7005: West Bank counterterror directives, including farms](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7005) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-07-24) - S16: [Netanyahu post 7091: directive to pursue all Hamas leaders and October 7 participants](https://t.me/bnetanyahu/7091) (Leader's official Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-09-01) - S17: ["ראש הממשלה נתניהו בשיחה כלכלית עם אורן דוברינסקי" (economic conversation with Oren Dobronsky), about 28 min](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkn6Y_SisRI) (Video conversation, posted on leader's official YouTube and Telegram, Hebrew, published 2026-09-23) - S18: [i24 interview with Naveh Dromi, "בלי עניבה", recorded partly in Gaza, about 20 min](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3464Rj2ePSI) (TV interview, posted on leader's official YouTube, Hebrew, published 2026-09-05) - S19: [Channel 14 "הפטריוטים" (The Patriots) interview, about 49 min](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mzd4nrg0eL0) (TV interview, posted on leader's official YouTube, Hebrew, published 2026-08-30) - S20: [Likud movement site, 26th Knesset elections page (primaries documents, candidate list; no platform)](https://likud.mimamoo.com/בחירות/כנסת/knesset26) (Party movement site, Hebrew, published Updated through 2026-09) - S21: ["מצע הליכוד", 18th Knesset election (2009), the most recent Likud platform in the Israel Democracy Institute archive. Context only, not used for 2026 positions](https://www.idi.org.il/media/6698/likud-18.pdf) (Past platform PDF (archived copy), Hebrew, published 2009) - S22: [Israel Democracy Institute, Likud party page: platform table lists no platform after 2009 and states "מאז 2009 המפלגה נמנעת מלפרסם מצע לקראת הבחירות". Used only to locate S21 and to cross-check the absence](https://www.idi.org.il/policy/parties-and-elections/parties/likud/) (Research institute page, Hebrew, published Undated) - S23: [Central Elections Committee index of all 38 lists for the 26th Knesset with ballot letters; this party's row gives the letters מחל. The page header still carries the standard note that lists are as submitted, but the index includes the committee's September 23 exclusion decisions, so it postdates the review. Used for ballot letters only. Copied on 2026-10-01 from the Joint List folder's saved copy](https://www.gov.il/he/pages/candidates-lists-26) (CEC record, Hebrew, published September 2026)