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{{Short description|Parliamentary position in the Knesset}}
{{Infobox official post
{{Infobox official post
| post = Leader of the Opposition
| post = Leader of the Opposition
| native_name = {{Nobold|{{Script/Hebrew|יוֹשֵׁב רֹאשׁ הַאוֹפּוֹזִיצְיָה}}<br /><small>''Yoshev Rosh Ha-Opozitzya''</small>}}
| native_name = {{Nobold|{{Script/Hebrew|רֹאשׁ הַאוֹפּוֹזִיצְיָה}}<br /><small>''Rosh Ha-Opozitzya''</small>}}
| insignia =
| insignia =
| insigniasize = 115px
| insigniasize = 115px
| insigniacaption = Logo of the largest opposition party
| insigniacaption = Logo of the largest opposition party
| image = Benyamin_Netanyahu,_Aug._2019_(48598784726)_(cropped)_2.jpg
| image = Yair Lapid (D1237-011).jpg
| imagesize = 150px
| imagesize = 150px
| incumbent = [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]
| incumbent = [[Yair Lapid]]
| incumbentsince = 28 June 2021<ref>[https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/mk/Pages/HeadOfOpposition.aspx Leader of the Opposition] Knesset</ref>
| incumbentsince = 2 January 2023<ref>[https://main.knesset.gov.il/EN/mk/Pages/HeadOfOpposition.aspx Leader of the Opposition] Knesset</ref>
| first = [[Meir Ya'ari]]
| first = [[Meir Ya'ari]]
| termlength = While leader of the largest political party in the Knesset that is not in government
| termlength = While leader of the largest political party in the Knesset that is not in government
Line 14: Line 15:
}}{{Politics of Israel}}
}}{{Politics of Israel}}


In [[Israel]], the '''Leader of the Opposition''' ({{lang-he|רֹאשׁ הַאוֹפּוֹזִיצְיָה}}, ''Rosh HaOpozitzya'') is the politician who leads the [[Leader of the opposition|Official Opposition]] in the [[Knesset]], the Israeli parliament. The [[Leader of the Opposition]] is, by [[constitutional convention (political custom)|convention]], the leader of the largest [[political party]] in the [[Knesset]] that is not in (or supports) the [[Cabinet of Israel|government]].
In [[Israel]], the '''Leader of the Opposition''' ({{langx|he|רֹאשׁ הַאוֹפּוֹזִיצְיָה}}, ''Rosh HaOpozitzya'') is the politician who leads the [[Leader of the opposition|Official Opposition]] in the [[Knesset]], the Israeli parliament. The [[Leader of the Opposition]] is, by [[constitutional convention (political custom)|convention]], the leader of the largest [[political party]] in the [[Knesset]] that is not in (or supports) the [[Cabinet of Israel|government]].


==History==
==History==
Line 20: Line 21:


===Informal role, until 2000===
===Informal role, until 2000===
Until 2000, the role of the Opposition Leader was not an official position, but rather an honorary role. The Leader of the Opposition was the leader of the largest party not in government. This was either Likud or Labor, with short exceptions during national unity governments of 1967–1970 and 1984–1990.
Until 2000, the role of the Opposition Leader was not an official position, but rather an honorary role. The Leader of the Opposition was the leader of the largest party not in government.


Even with the absence of a law defining the role of the Opposition Leader, it was customary for the [[Prime Minister of Israel|Prime Minister]] to hold regular meetings with the leader of the largest opposition party. However, it was carried out only at the prerogative of the Prime Minister.
Even with the absence of a law defining the role of the Opposition Leader, it was customary for the [[Prime Minister of Israel|Prime Minister]] to hold regular meetings with the leader of the largest opposition party. However, this was done only at the prerogative of the Prime Minister.


===Formalised role, post-2000===
===Formalised role, post-2000===
Line 36: Line 37:
! Term start
! Term start
! Term end
! Term end
! Government(s) opposed
! Government(s)<br/>opposed
! Prime minister(s) opposed
! Prime minister(s)<br/>opposed
! Knesset session(s)
! Knesset
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Mapam}}; color:white;" | '''1'''
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Mapam}}; color:white;" | '''1'''
| rowspan=2 | '''[[Meir Ya'ari]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|מאיר יערי}}<br />{{small|(1897–1987)}} || rowspan=2 | [[File:Yaari.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2 | [[Mapam]] || rowspan=2 nowrap| 10 March 1949 || rowspan=2 nowrap| 8 October 1951 || [[First government of Israel|1]] || rowspan=4|[[David Ben-Gurion]]<br>{{small|([[Mapai]])}} || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the first Knesset|1]]
| rowspan=2 | '''[[Meir Ya'ari]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|מאיר יערי}}<br />{{small|(1897–1987)}} || rowspan="2" | [[File:Yaari.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2 | [[Mapam]] || rowspan=2 nowrap| 10 March 1949 || rowspan=2 nowrap| 8 October 1951 || [[First government of Israel|1]] || rowspan=4|[[David Ben-Gurion]]<br>{{small|([[Mapai]])}} || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the first Knesset|1st]]
|-
|-
| [[Second government of Israel|2]]
| [[Second government of Israel|2]]
|-
|-
| style="background:#12B6CF; color:white;" | '''2'''
| style="background:#12B6CF; color:white;" | '''2'''
| '''[[Peretz Bernstein]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|פרץ ברנשטיין}}<br />{{small|(1890–1971)}} || [[File:Peretz Bernstein.jpg|80px]] || [[General Zionists]] || nowrap| 8 October 1951 || nowrap| 24 December 1952 || [[Third government of Israel|3]] || rowspan=4| [[List of members of the second Knesset|2]]
| '''[[Peretz Bernstein]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|פרץ ברנשטיין}}<br />{{small|(1890–1971)}} || [[File:Peretz Bernstein.jpg|80px]] || [[General Zionists]] || nowrap| 8 October 1951 || nowrap| 24 December 1952 || [[Third government of Israel|3]] || rowspan=4| [[List of members of the second Knesset|2nd]]
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Mapam}}; color:white;" | '''(1)'''
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Mapam}}; color:white;" | '''(1)'''
Line 57: Line 58:
|-
|-
| rowspan=7 style="background:{{party color|Herut}}; color:white;" | '''3'''
| rowspan=7 style="background:{{party color|Herut}}; color:white;" | '''3'''
| rowspan=7 | '''[[Menachem Begin]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|מנחם בגין}}<br />{{small|(1913–1992)}} || rowspan=7 | [[File:Menachem Begin (990044423610205171) (cropped).jpg|80px]] || rowspan=6 | [[Herut]] || rowspan=7 nowrap| 3 November 1955 || rowspan=7 nowrap| 5 June 1967 || [[Seventh government of Israel|7]] || rowspan=4|[[David Ben-Gurion]]<br>{{small|([[Mapai]])}} || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the third Knesset|3]]
| rowspan=7 | '''[[Menachem Begin]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|מנחם בגין}}<br />{{small|(1913–1992)}} || rowspan=7 | [[File:Menachem Begin (990044423610205171) (cropped).jpg|80px]] || rowspan=6 | [[Herut]] || rowspan=7 nowrap| 3 November 1955 || rowspan=7 nowrap| 5 June 1967 || [[Seventh government of Israel|7]] || rowspan=4|[[David Ben-Gurion]]<br>{{small|([[Mapai]])}} || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the third Knesset|3rd]]
|-
|-
| [[Eighth government of Israel|8]]
| [[Eighth government of Israel|8]]
|-
|-
| [[Ninth government of Israel|9]] || [[List of members of the fourth Knesset|4]]
| [[Ninth government of Israel|9]] || [[List of members of the fourth Knesset|4th]]
|-
|-
| [[Tenth government of Israel|10]] || rowspan=3| [[List of members of the fifth Knesset|5]]
| [[Tenth government of Israel|10]] || rowspan=3| [[List of members of the fifth Knesset|5th]]
|-
|-
| [[Eleventh government of Israel|11]] || rowspan=3|[[Levi Eshkol]]<br>{{small|([[Mapai]] until 1996 and [[Mapai]]/[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]] [[Alignment (Israel)|Alignment]] from 1966 onward)}}
| [[Eleventh government of Israel|11]] || rowspan=3|[[Levi Eshkol]]<br>{{small|([[Mapai]] 1963–1966;<br/>[[Mapai]]/[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]] [[Alignment (Israel)|Alignment]] 1966–1967)}}
|-
|-
| [[Twelfth government of Israel|12]]
| [[Twelfth government of Israel|12]]
|-
|-
| [[Gahal]]<br>{{small|[[Herut]]}} || [[Thirteenth government of Israel|13]] || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the sixth Knesset|6]]
| [[Gahal]]<br>{{small|[[Herut]]}} || [[Thirteenth government of Israel|13]] || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the sixth Knesset|6th]]
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Agudat Yisrael}}; color:white;" | '''4'''
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Agudat Yisrael}}; color:white;" | '''4'''
| rowspan=2 | '''[[Yitzhak-Meir Levin]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יצחק-מאיר לוין}}<br />{{small|(1893–1971)}} || rowspan=2 | [[File:Yitzhak Meir Levin.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2 | [[Agudat Yisrael]] || rowspan=2 nowrap| 5 June 1967 || rowspan=2 nowrap| 6 August 1970 || [[Fourteenth government of Israel|14]] || rowspan=5|[[Golda Meir]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]]/[[Alignment (Israel)|Alignment]])}}
| rowspan=2 | '''[[Yitzhak-Meir Levin]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יצחק-מאיר לוין}}<br />{{small|(1893–1971)}} || rowspan=2 | [[File:Yitzhak Meir Levin.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2 | [[Agudat Yisrael]] || rowspan=2 nowrap| 5 June 1967 || rowspan=2 nowrap| 6 August 1970 || [[Fourteenth government of Israel|14]] || rowspan=5|[[Golda Meir]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]]/[[Alignment (Israel)|Alignment]])}}
|-
|-
| rowspan=3 | [[Fifteenth government of Israel|15]] || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the seventh Knesset|7]]
| rowspan=3 | [[Fifteenth government of Israel|15]] || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the seventh Knesset|7th]]
|-
|-
| rowspan=4 style="background:{{party color|Herut}}; color:white;" | '''(3)'''
| rowspan=4 style="background:{{party color|Herut}}; color:white;" | '''(3)'''
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| rowspan=3 | [[Likud]]<br>{{small|[[Herut]]}}
| rowspan=3 | [[Likud]]<br>{{small|[[Herut]]}}
|-
|-
| [[Sixteenth government of Israel|16]] || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the eighth Knesset|8]]
| [[Sixteenth government of Israel|16]] || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the eighth Knesset|8th]]
|-
|-
| [[Seventeenth government of Israel|17]] || [[Yitzhak Rabin]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]]/[[Alignment (Israel)|Alignment]])}}
| [[Seventeenth government of Israel|17]] || [[Yitzhak Rabin]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]]/[[Alignment (Israel)|Alignment]])}}
|-
|-
| rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''5'''
| rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''5'''
| rowspan=3 | '''[[Shimon Peres]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שמעון פרס}}<br />{{small|(1923–2016)}} || rowspan=3 | [[File:Shimon Peres (1986).jpg|80px]] || rowspan=3 | [[Alignment (political party)|Alignment]]<br>{{small|[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]]}} || rowspan=3 nowrap| 20 June 1977 || rowspan=3 nowrap| 13 September 1984 || [[Eighteenth government of Israel|18]] || rowspan=2|[[Menachem Begin]]<br>{{small|([[Herut]]/[[Likud])]}} || [[List of members of the ninth Knesset|9]]
| rowspan=3 | '''[[Shimon Peres]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שמעון פרס}}<br />{{small|(1923–2016)}} || rowspan=3 | [[File:Shimon Peres (1986).jpg|80px]] || rowspan=3 | [[Alignment (political party)|Alignment]]<br>{{small|[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]]}} || rowspan=3 nowrap| 20 June 1977 || rowspan=3 nowrap| 13 September 1984 || [[Eighteenth government of Israel|18]] || rowspan=2|[[Menachem Begin]]<br>{{small|([[Herut]]/[[Likud]]}} || [[List of members of the ninth Knesset|9th]]
|-
|-
| [[Nineteenth government of Israel|19]] || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the tenth Knesset|10]]
| [[Nineteenth government of Israel|19]] || rowspan=2| [[List of members of the tenth Knesset|10th]]
|-
|-
| [[Twentieth government of Israel|20]] || [[Yitzhak Shamir]]<br>{{small|([[Herut]]/[[Likud]])}}
| [[Twentieth government of Israel|20]] || [[Yitzhak Shamir]]<br>{{small|([[Herut]]/[[Likud]])}}
|-
|-
| rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|Tehiya}}; color:white;" | '''6'''
| rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|Tehiya}}; color:white;" | '''6'''
| rowspan=3 | '''[[Yuval Ne'eman]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יובל נאמן}}<br />{{small|(1925–2006)}} || rowspan=3 | [[File:Yuval neeman (cropped).jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2 | [[Tehiya]]-[[Tzomet]]<br>{{small|[[Tehiya]]}} || rowspan=3 nowrap| 13 September 1984 || rowspan=3 nowrap| 22 December 1988 || [[Twenty-first government of Israel|21]] || [[Shimon Peres]]<br>{{small|([[Labor]]/[[Alignment (political party)|Alignment]])}} || rowspan=3| [[List of members of the eleventh Knesset|11]]
| rowspan=3 | '''[[Yuval Ne'eman]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יובל נאמן}}<br />{{small|(1925–2006)}} || rowspan=3 | [[File:Yuval neeman (cropped).jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2 | [[Tehiya]]-[[Tzomet]]<br>{{small|[[Tehiya]]}} || rowspan=3 nowrap| 13 September 1984 || rowspan=3 nowrap| 22 December 1988 || [[Twenty-first government of Israel|21]] || [[Shimon Peres]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]]/[[Alignment (political party)|Alignment]])}} || rowspan=3| [[List of members of the eleventh Knesset|11th]]
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 | [[Twenty-second government of Israel|22]] || rowspan=6|[[Yitzhak Shamir]]<br>{{small|([[Herut]]/[[Likud]] until 1988 and [[Likud]] from 1988 onward}}
| rowspan=2 | [[Twenty-second government of Israel|22]] || rowspan=6|[[Yitzhak Shamir]]<br>{{small|([[Herut]]/[[Likud]] 1986–1988;<br/>[[Likud]] 1988–1992}}
|-
|-
| [[Tehiya]]
| [[Tehiya]]
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Ratz (political party)}}; color:white;" | '''7'''
| style="background:{{party color|Ratz (political party)}}; color:white;" | '''7'''
| '''[[Shulamit Aloni]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שולמית אלוני}}<br />{{small|(1928–2014)}} || [[File:Shulamit Aloni.jpg|80px]] || [[Ratz (political party)|Ratz]] || nowrap| 22 December 1988 || nowrap| 15 March 1990 || [[Twenty-third government of Israel|23]] || rowspan=4| [[List of members of the twelfth Knesset|12]]
| '''[[Shulamit Aloni]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שולמית אלוני}}<br />{{small|(1928–2014)}} || [[File:Shulamit Aloni.jpg|80px]] || [[Ratz (political party)|Ratz]] || nowrap| 22 December 1988 || nowrap| 15 March 1990 || [[Twenty-third government of Israel|23]] || rowspan=4| [[List of members of the twelfth Knesset|12th]]
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''(5)'''
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''(5)'''
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|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Likud}}; color:white;" | '''9'''
| style="background:{{party color|Likud}}; color:white;" | '''9'''
| '''[[Yitzhak Shamir]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יצחק שמיר}}<br />{{small|(1915–2012)}} || [[File:Flickr - Government Press Office (GPO) - HADERA ABSORPTION CENTER (cropped).jpg|80px]] || rowspan=3 | [[Likud]] || nowrap| 13 July 1992 || nowrap| 24 March 1993 || rowspan=2 | [[Twenty-fifth government of Israel|25]] || rowspan=2| [[Yitzhak Rabin]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]])}} || rowspan=4| [[List of members of the thirteenth Knesset|13]]
| '''[[Yitzhak Shamir]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יצחק שמיר}}<br />{{small|(1915–2012)}} || [[File:Flickr - Government Press Office (GPO) - HADERA ABSORPTION CENTER (cropped).jpg|80px]] || rowspan=3 | [[Likud]] || nowrap| 13 July 1992 || nowrap| 24 March 1993 || rowspan=2 | [[Twenty-fifth government of Israel|25]] || rowspan=2| [[Yitzhak Rabin]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]])}} || rowspan=4| [[List of members of the thirteenth Knesset|13th]]
|-
|-
| rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|Likud}}; color:white;" | '''10'''
| rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|Likud}}; color:white;" | '''10'''
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|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''(5)'''
| style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''(5)'''
| '''[[Shimon Peres]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שמעון פרס}}<br />{{small|(1923–2016)}} || [[File:Shimon Peres 1999.jpg|80px]] || [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]] || nowrap| 18 June 1996 || nowrap| 1 July 1997 || rowspan=3 | [[Twenty-seventh government of Israel|27]] || rowspan=3| [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]<br>{{small|([[Likud]])}} || rowspan=3| [[List of members of the fourteenth Knesset|14]]
| '''[[Shimon Peres]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שמעון פרס}}<br />{{small|(1923–2016)}} || [[File:Shimon Peres 1999.jpg|80px]] || [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]] || nowrap| 18 June 1996 || nowrap| 1 July 1997 || rowspan=3 | [[Twenty-seventh government of Israel|27]] || rowspan=3| [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]<br>{{small|([[Likud]])}} || rowspan=3| [[List of members of the fourteenth Knesset|14th]]
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''11'''
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''11'''
Line 130: Line 131:
| style="background:{{party color|Likud}}; color:white;" | '''12'''
| style="background:{{party color|Likud}}; color:white;" | '''12'''
| '''[[Ariel Sharon]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|אריאל שרון}}<br />{{small|(1928–2014)}} ||[[File:Ariel Sharon 2001.jpg|80px]] || [[Likud]] || nowrap| 6 July 1999 || nowrap| 30 July 2000 || [[Twenty-eighth government of Israel|28]] || [[Ehud Barak]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]])}}
| '''[[Ariel Sharon]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|אריאל שרון}}<br />{{small|(1928–2014)}} ||[[File:Ariel Sharon 2001.jpg|80px]] || [[Likud]] || nowrap| 6 July 1999 || nowrap| 30 July 2000 || [[Twenty-eighth government of Israel|28]] || [[Ehud Barak]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]])}}
|| [[List of members of the fourteenth Knesset|15]]
|| [[List of members of the fourteenth Knesset|15th]]
|}
|}


=== Designated Opposition Leaders ===
=== Designated Opposition Leaders ===
After Amendment 8 to the "Knesset law" of 1994 was passed, the Leader of the Opposition became the person elected by the largest faction of the opposition.
After Amendment 8 to the "Knesset law" of 1994 was passed, the Leader of the Opposition became an official position held by the leader of the largest faction within the opposition.


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Line 143: Line 144:
! Term start
! Term start
! Term end
! Term end
! Government(s) opposed
! Government(s)<br/>opposed
! Prime minister(s) opposed
! Prime minister(s)<br/>opposed
! Knesset session(s)
! Knesset
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Likud}}; color:white;" | '''1'''
| style="background:{{party color|Likud}}; color:white;" | '''12'''
| '''[[Ariel Sharon]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|אריאל שרון}}<br />{{small|(1928–2014)}} || [[File:Ariel Sharon 2001.jpg|80px]] || [[Likud]] || nowrap| 31 July 2000 || nowrap| 7 March 2001 || [[Twenty-eighth government of Israel|28]] || [[Ehud Barak]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]])}} || rowspan=3| [[List of members of the fifteenth Knesset|15]]
| '''[[Ariel Sharon]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|אריאל שרון}}<br />{{small|(1928–2014)}} || [[File:Ariel Sharon 2001.jpg|80px]] || [[Likud]] || nowrap| 31 July 2000 || nowrap| 7 March 2001 || [[Twenty-eighth government of Israel|28]] || [[Ehud Barak]]<br>{{small|([[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]])}} || rowspan=3| [[List of members of the fifteenth Knesset|15th]]
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Meretz}}; color:white;" | '''2'''
| style="background:{{party color|Meretz}}; color:white;" | '''13'''
| '''[[Yossi Sarid]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יוסי שריד}}<br />{{small|(1940–2015)}} || [[File:Yossi Sarid.JPG|80px]] || [[Meretz]] || nowrap| 7 March 2001 || nowrap| 4 November 2002 || rowspan=2 | [[Twenty-ninth government of Israel|29]] || rowspan=8| [[Ariel Sharon]]<br>{{small|([[Likud]] until 2005 and [[Kadima]] from 2005 onwards)}}
| '''[[Yossi Sarid]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יוסי שריד}}<br />{{small|(1940–2015)}} || [[File:Yossi Sarid.JPG|80px]] || [[Meretz]] || nowrap| 7 March 2001 || nowrap| 4 November 2002 || rowspan=2 | [[Twenty-ninth government of Israel|29]] || rowspan=9| [[Ariel Sharon]]<br>{{small|([[Likud]] 2001–2005;<br/>[[Kadima]] 2005–2006)}}
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''3'''
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''14'''
| rowspan=2|'''[[Binyamin Ben-Eliezer]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|בנימין בן אליעזר}}<br />{{small|(1936–2016)}} || rowspan=2| [[File:סיור שר הביטחון בנימין בן אליעזר בחיל האוויר (cropped).jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2| [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]] || rowspan=2 nowrap| 4 November 2002 || rowspan=2 nowrap| 12 March 2003
| rowspan=2|'''[[Binyamin Ben-Eliezer]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|בנימין בן אליעזר}}<br />{{small|(1936–2016)}} || rowspan=2| [[File:סיור שר הביטחון בנימין בן אליעזר בחיל האוויר (cropped).jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2| [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]] || rowspan=2 nowrap| 4 November 2002 || rowspan=2 nowrap| 12 March 2003
|-
|-
| rowspan=7 | [[Thirtieth government of Israel|30]] || rowspan=7| [[List of members of the sixteenth Knesset|16]]
| rowspan=7 | [[Thirtieth government of Israel|30]] || rowspan=7| [[List of members of the sixteenth Knesset|16th]]
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''4'''
| style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''15'''
| '''[[Amram Mitzna]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|עמרם מצנע}}<br />{{small|(born 1945)}} || [[File:Amram Mitzna.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=3 | [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]]-[[Meimad]]<br>{{small|[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]]}} || nowrap| 12 March 2003 || nowrap| 13 May 2003
| '''[[Amram Mitzna]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|עמרם מצנע}}<br />{{small|(born 1945)}} || [[File:Amram Mitzna.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=3 | [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]]-[[Meimad]]<br>{{small|[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]]}} || nowrap| 12 March 2003 || nowrap| 13 May 2003
|-
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''5'''
|style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''16'''
| '''[[Dalia Itzik]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|דליה איציק}}<br />{{small|(born 1952)}}<br />|| [[File:Dalya itzik.jpg|80px]] || nowrap| 13 May 2003 || nowrap| 25 June 2003
| '''[[Dalia Itzik]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|דליה איציק}}<br />{{small|(born 1952)}}<br />|| [[File:Dalya itzik.jpg|80px]] || nowrap| 13 May 2003 || nowrap| 25 June 2003
|-
|-
|style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''6'''
|style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''(5)'''
| '''[[Shimon Peres]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שמעון פרס}}<br />{{small|(1923–2016)}} || [[File:Shimon Peres by David Shankbone.jpg|80px]] || nowrap| 25 June 2003 || nowrap| 10 January 2005
| '''[[Shimon Peres]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שמעון פרס}}<br />{{small|(1923–2016)}} || [[File:Shimon Peres by David Shankbone.jpg|80px]] || nowrap| 25 June 2003 || nowrap| 10 January 2005
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Shinui}}; color:white;" | '''7'''
| style="background:{{party color|Shinui}}; color:white;" | '''17'''
| '''[[Tommy Lapid|Yosef Lapid]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יוסף לפיד}}<br />{{small|(1931–2008)}} || [[File:Tommy Lapid at Eichman trial1961 (cropped).jpg|80px]] || [[Shinui]] || nowrap| 10 January 2005 || nowrap| 23 November 2005
| '''[[Tommy Lapid|Yosef Lapid]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יוסף לפיד}}<br />{{small|(1931–2008)}} || [[File:Tommy Lapid in 2008.jpg|80px]] || [[Shinui]] || nowrap| 10 January 2005 || nowrap| 23 November 2005
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''8'''
| style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" | '''18'''
| '''[[Amir Peretz]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|עמיר פרץ}}<br />{{small|(born 1952)}} || [[File:Amir Peretz, 2006.jpg|80px]] || [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]]-[[Meimad]]<br>{{small|[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]]}} || nowrap| 23 November 2005 || nowrap| 16 January 2006
| '''[[Amir Peretz]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|עמיר פרץ}}<br />{{small|(born 1952)}} || [[File:Amir Peretz, 2006.jpg|80px]] || [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor]]-[[Meimad]]<br>{{small|[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]]}} || nowrap| 23 November 2005 || nowrap| 16 January 2006
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Likud}}; color:white;" | '''9'''
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Likud}}; color:white;" | '''(10)'''
| rowspan=2 | '''[[Benjamin Netanyahu]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|בנימין נתניהו}}<br />{{small|(born 1949)}} || rowspan=2 | [[File:Benjamin Netanyahu portrait.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2 | [[Likud]] || nowrap| 16 January 2006 || 17 April 2006 ||
| rowspan=2 | '''[[Benjamin Netanyahu]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|בנימין נתניהו}}<br />{{small|(born 1949)}} || rowspan=2 | [[File:Benjamin Netanyahu portrait.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2 | [[Likud]] || nowrap| 16 January 2006 || 17 April 2006
|-
|-
| nowrap| 17 April 2006 || 31 March 2009 || [[Thirty-first government of Israel|31]] || [[Ehud Olmert]]<br>{{small|([[Kadima]])}} || [[List of members of the seventeenth Knesset|17]]
| nowrap| 17 April 2006 || 31 March 2009 || [[Thirty-first government of Israel|31]] || [[Ehud Olmert]]<br>{{small|([[Kadima]])}} || [[List of members of the seventeenth Knesset|17th]]
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Kadima}}; color:white;" |'''10'''
| style="background:{{party color|Kadima}}; color:white;" |'''19'''
| '''[[Tzipi Livni]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|ציפי לבני}}<br />{{small|(born 1958)}} || [[File:Tzipi Livni 2.JPG|80px]] || [[Kadima]] || nowrap| 6 April 2009 || nowrap| 2 April 2012 || rowspan=5 | [[Thirty-first government of Israel|32]] || rowspan=15| [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]<br>{{small|([[Likud]])}} || rowspan=4| [[List of members of the eighteenth Knesset|18]]
| '''[[Tzipi Livni]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|ציפי לבני}}<br />{{small|(born 1958)}} || [[File:Tzipi Livni 2.JPG|80px]] || [[Kadima]] || nowrap| 6 April 2009 || nowrap| 2 April 2012 || rowspan=5 | [[Thirty-second government of Israel|32]] || rowspan="14" | [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]<br>{{small|([[Likud]])}} || rowspan=4| [[List of members of the eighteenth Knesset|18th]]
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Kadima}}; color:white;" |'''11'''
| style="background:{{party color|Kadima}}; color:white;" |'''20'''
| '''[[Shaul Mofaz]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שאול מופז}}<br />{{small|(born 1948)}} || [[File:Shaul Mofaz.jpg|80px]] || [[Kadima]] || nowrap| 2 April 2012 || nowrap| 9 May 2012
| '''[[Shaul Mofaz]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שאול מופז}}<br />{{small|(born 1948)}} || [[File:Shaul Mofaz.jpg|80px]] || [[Kadima]] || nowrap| 2 April 2012 || nowrap| 9 May 2012
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" |'''12'''
| style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" |'''21'''
| '''[[Shelly Yachimovich]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שלי יחימוביץ׳}}<br />{{small|(born 1960)}} || [[File:שלי.jpg|80px]] || [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]] || nowrap| 9 May 2012 || nowrap| 23 July 2012
| '''[[Shelly Yachimovich]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שלי יחימוביץ׳}}<br />{{small|(born 1960)}} || [[File:שלי.jpg|80px]] || [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]] || nowrap| 9 May 2012 || nowrap| 23 July 2012
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Kadima}}; color:white;" |'''(11)'''
| style="background:{{party color|Kadima}}; color:white;" |'''(20)'''
| '''[[Shaul Mofaz]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שאול מופז}}<br />{{small|(born 1948)}} || [[File:Shaul Mofaz.jpg|80px]] || [[Kadima]] || nowrap| 23 July 2012 || nowrap| 5 February 2013
| '''[[Shaul Mofaz]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שאול מופז}}<br />{{small|(born 1948)}} || [[File:Shaul Mofaz.jpg|80px]] || [[Kadima]] || nowrap| 23 July 2012 || nowrap| 5 February 2013
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" |'''(12)'''
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" |'''(21)'''
| rowspan=2| '''[[Shelly Yachimovich]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שלי יחימוביץ׳}}<br />{{small|(born 1960)}} || rowspan=2| [[File:שלי.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=4|[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]] || rowspan=2 nowrap| 5 February 2013 || rowspan=2 nowrap| 25 November 2013
| rowspan=2| '''[[Shelly Yachimovich]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שלי יחימוביץ׳}}<br />{{small|(born 1960)}} || rowspan=2| [[File:שלי.jpg|80px]] || rowspan="3" |[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]] || rowspan=2 nowrap| 5 February 2013 || rowspan=2 nowrap| 25 November 2013
|-
|-
|rowspan=2 | [[Thirty-third government of Israel|33]] ||rowspan=2| [[List of members of the nineteenth Knesset|19]]
| rowspan="3" | [[Thirty-third government of Israel|33]] || rowspan="3" | [[List of members of the nineteenth Knesset|19th]]
|-
|-
| rowspan=4 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" |'''13'''
| rowspan=3 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" |'''22'''
| rowspan=4 | '''[[Isaac Herzog]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יצחק הרצוג}}<br />{{small|(1960–)}} || rowspan=4 | [[File:Isaac Herzog 2004.JPG|80px]] || rowspan=3 nowrap| 25 November 2013 || rowspan=3 nowrap| 14 May 2015
| rowspan="3" | '''[[Isaac Herzog]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יצחק הרצוג}}<br />{{small|(1960–)}} || rowspan="3" | [[File:Isaac Herzog 2004.JPG|80px]] || rowspan="2" nowrap="" | 25 November 2013 || rowspan="2" nowrap="" | 14 May 2015
⚫
|-
⚫
|rowspan=7 | [[Thirty-fourth government of Israel|34]] ||rowspan=4| [[List of members of the twentieth Knesset|20]]
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 | [[Zionist Union]]<br>{{small|[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]]}}
| rowspan=2 | [[Zionist Union]]<br>{{small|[[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]]}}
|-
|-
| nowrap| 14 May 2015 || nowrap| 31 July 2018
| nowrap| 14 May 2015 || nowrap| 31 July 2018
⚫
| rowspan="5" |[[Thirty-fourth government of Israel|34]]|| rowspan="3" | [[List of members of the twentieth Knesset|20th]]
|-
|-
| style="background:{{party color|Hatnuah}}; color:white;" |'''(10)'''
| style="background:{{party color|Hatnuah}}; color:white;" |'''(19)'''
| '''[[Tzipi Livni]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|ציפי לבני}}<br />{{small|(born 1958)}} || [[File:Tzipi Livni (38130112).jpg|80px]] || [[Zionist Union]]<br>{{small|[[Hatnuah]]}} || nowrap| 1 August 2018 || nowrap| 1 January 2019
| '''[[Tzipi Livni]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|ציפי לבני}}<br />{{small|(born 1958)}} || [[File:Tzipi Livni (38130112).jpg|80px]] || [[Zionist Union]]<br>{{small|[[Hatnuah]]}} || nowrap| 1 August 2018 || nowrap| 1 January 2019
|-
|-
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" |'''(13)'''
| rowspan=2 style="background:{{party color|Israeli Labor Party}}; color:white;" |'''(21)'''
| rowspan=2| '''[[Shelly Yachimovich]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שלי יחימוביץ׳}}<br />{{small|(born 1960)}} || rowspan=2| [[File:שלי.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2| [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]] || rowspan=2 nowrap| 1 January 2019 || rowspan=2 nowrap| 30 April 2019
| rowspan=2| '''[[Shelly Yachimovich]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|שלי יחימוביץ׳}}<br />{{small|(born 1960)}} || rowspan=2| [[File:שלי.jpg|80px]] || rowspan=2| [[Israeli Labor Party|Labor Party]] || rowspan=2 nowrap| 1 January 2019 || rowspan=2 nowrap| 30 April 2019
|-
|-
|rowspan=2| [[List of members of the twenty-first Knesset|21]] and [[List of members of the twenty-second Knesset|22]]
|rowspan=2| [[List of members of the twenty-first Knesset|21st]]<br/>[[List of members of the twenty-second Knesset|22nd]]
|-
|-
| style="background: color:white;" |
| style="background: color:white;" |
| colspan=3|Vacant {{efn|Due to the [[2019–2021 Israeli political crisis]], No coalition was formed during the terms of the 21st and 22nd Knessets. However, [[Benny Gantz]], leader of the largest opposition party [[Blue and White (political alliance)|Blue and White]], served as de facto opposition leader at the time}} || nowrap| 30 April 2019 || nowrap| 17 May 2020
| colspan=3|[[2019-2021 Israeli political crisis|Vacant]] ''de jure'', [[Benny Gantz]] ''de facto'' || nowrap| 30 April 2019 || nowrap| 17 May 2020
⚫
|-
| style="background:#003BA3; color:white;" |'''23'''
| '''[[Yair Lapid]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יאיר לפיד}}<br />{{small|(born 1963)}} || [[File:Yair Lapid 2021 (cropped).jpg|80px]] || [[Yesh Atid]]|| nowrap| 17 May 2020 || nowrap| 6 April 2021 || [[Thirty-fifth government of Israel|35]] || [[List of members of the twenty-third Knesset|23rd]]
|-
|-
| style="background:#003BA3; color:white;" |'''14'''
| style="background:#1F5AA5; color:white;" | '''(10)'''
| '''[[Yair Lapid]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יאיר לפיד}}<br />{{small|(born 1963)}} || [[File:Yair Lapid 2021 (cropped).jpg|80px]] || [[Yesh Atid]]|| nowrap| 17 May 2020 || nowrap| 6 April 2021 || [[Thirty-fifth government of Israel|35]] || [[List of members of the twenty-third Knesset|23]]
| '''[[Benjamin Netanyahu]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|בנימין נתניהו}}<br />{{small|(born 1949)}} || [[File:Benyamin Netanyahu, Aug. 2019 (48598784726) (cropped) 2.jpg|80px]] || [[Likud]] || nowrap| 28 June 2021 || nowrap| 29 December 2022 || [[Thirty-sixth government of Israel|36]] || [[Naftali Bennett]]<br>{{small|([[Yamina]]/[[New Right (Israel)|New Right]])}}<br>[[Yair Lapid]]<br/>{{small|([[Yesh Atid]])}} || [[List of members of the twenty-fourth Knesset|24th]]
|-
|-
| style="background:#1F5AA5; color:white;" | '''(9)'''
| style="background:#003BA3; color:white;" |'''(23)'''
| '''[[Benjamin Netanyahu]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|בנימין נתניהו}}<br />{{small|(born 1949)}} || [[File:Benyamin Netanyahu, Aug. 2019 (48598784726) (cropped) 2.jpg|80px]] || [[Likud]] || nowrap| 28 June 2021 || nowrap| Present || [[Thirty-sixth government of Israel|36]] || [[Naftali Bennett]]<br>{{small|([[Yamina]]/[[New Right (Israel)|New Right]])}} || [[List of members of the twenty-fourth Knesset|24]]
| '''[[Yair Lapid]]'''<br />{{Script/Hebrew|יאיר לפיד}}<br />{{small|(born 1963)}} || [[File:Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid in November 2023 - (53307089636) (cropped).jpg|80px]] || [[Yesh Atid]]|| nowrap| 2 January 2023 || nowrap| Present || [[Thirty-seventh government of Israel|37]]
|| [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]<br>{{small|([[Likud]])}}
|| [[List of members of the twenty-fifth Knesset|25th]]
|}
|}


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[[Category:Government of Israel]]
[[Category:Politics of Israel]]
[[Category:Politics of Israel]]
[[Category:Opposition leaders|Israel]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition|Israel]]
[[Category:Parliamentary opposition]]
[[Category:Lists of members of the Knesset]]
[[Category:Lists of political office-holders in Israel]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition (Israel)| ]]
[[Category:Leaders of the Opposition (Israel)| ]]

Latest revision as of 09:26, 29 November 2024

Leader of the Opposition
רֹאשׁ הַאוֹפּוֹזִיצְיָה‎
Rosh Ha-Opozitzya
Incumbent
Yair Lapid
since 2 January 2023[1]
Term lengthWhile leader of the largest political party in the Knesset that is not in government
First holderMeir Ya'ari
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In Israel, the Leader of the Opposition (Hebrew: רֹאשׁ הַאוֹפּוֹזִיצְיָה, Rosh HaOpozitzya) is the politician who leads the Official Opposition in the Knesset, the Israeli parliament. The Leader of the Opposition is, by convention, the leader of the largest political party in the Knesset that is not in (or supports) the government.

History

[edit]

Informal role, until 2000

[edit]

Until 2000, the role of the Opposition Leader was not an official position, but rather an honorary role. The Leader of the Opposition was the leader of the largest party not in government.

Even with the absence of a law defining the role of the Opposition Leader, it was customary for the Prime Minister to hold regular meetings with the leader of the largest opposition party. However, this was done only at the prerogative of the Prime Minister.

Formalised role, post-2000

[edit]

In early 2000, two bills to amend the Opposition Leader's status were submitted to the Knesset, one by the government and one by MK Uzi Landau. The bills were merged into one amendment, and on 17 July 2000, the Knesset approved Amendment 8 to the "Knesset Law" of 1994, adding chapter 6 that outlined the role of the Leader of the Opposition.[2] The law stipulates the selection of the Opposition Leader, the method of their replacement, regulates their ceremonial role in various official events, and obliges the prime minister to update them once a month. The law also stipulates that the Opposition Leader's salary will be determined by Knesset committee, and shall not be lower than a salary of a Cabinet minister.

List of Opposition leaders

[edit]

Leaders of the largest opposition party

[edit]
Name
(Birth–Death) 		Portrait Party Term start Term end Government(s)
opposed 		Prime minister(s)
opposed 		Knesset
1 Meir Ya'ari
מאיר יערי‎
(1897–1987)		 Mapam 10 March 1949 8 October 1951 1 David Ben-Gurion
(Mapai)		 1st
2
2 Peretz Bernstein
פרץ ברנשטיין‎
(1890–1971)		 General Zionists 8 October 1951 24 December 1952 3 2nd
(1) Meir Ya'ari
מאיר יערי‎
(1897–1987)		 Mapam 24 December 1952 29 June 1955 4
5 Moshe Sharett
(Mapai)
(2) Peretz Bernstein
פרץ ברנשטיין‎
(1890–1971)		 General Zionists 29 June 1955 3 November 1955 6
3 Menachem Begin
מנחם בגין‎
(1913–1992)		 Herut 3 November 1955 5 June 1967 7 David Ben-Gurion
(Mapai)		 3rd
8
9 4th
10 5th
11 Levi Eshkol
(Mapai 1963–1966;
Mapai/Labor Alignment 1966–1967)
12
Gahal
Herut		 13 6th
4 Yitzhak-Meir Levin
יצחק-מאיר לוין‎
(1893–1971)		 Agudat Yisrael 5 June 1967 6 August 1970 14 Golda Meir
(Labor/Alignment)
15 7th
(3) Menachem Begin
מנחם בגין‎
(1913–1992)		 Gahal
Herut		 6 August 1970 20 June 1977
Likud
Herut
16 8th
17 Yitzhak Rabin
(Labor/Alignment)
5 Shimon Peres
שמעון פרס‎
(1923–2016)		 Alignment
Labor Party		 20 June 1977 13 September 1984 18 Menachem Begin
(Herut/Likud		 9th
19 10th
20 Yitzhak Shamir
(Herut/Likud)
6 Yuval Ne'eman
יובל נאמן‎
(1925–2006)		 Tehiya-Tzomet
Tehiya		 13 September 1984 22 December 1988 21 Shimon Peres
(Labor/Alignment)		 11th
22 Yitzhak Shamir
(Herut/Likud 1986–1988;
Likud 1988–1992
Tehiya
7 Shulamit Aloni
שולמית אלוני‎
(1928–2014)		 Ratz 22 December 1988 15 March 1990 23 12th
(5) Shimon Peres
שמעון פרס‎
(1923–2016)		 Alignment
Labor Party		 15 March 1990 February 1992 24
Labor Party
8 Yitzhak Rabin
יִצְחָק רַבִּין‎
(1922–1995)		 February 1992 13 July 1992
9 Yitzhak Shamir
יצחק שמיר‎
(1915–2012)		 Likud 13 July 1992 24 March 1993 25 Yitzhak Rabin
(Labor)		 13th
10 Benjamin Netanyahu
בנימין נתניהו‎
(born 1949)		 24 March 1993 18 June 1996
26 Shimon Peres
(Labor)
Likud-Gesher-Tzomet
Likud
(5) Shimon Peres
שמעון פרס‎
(1923–2016)		 Labor Party 18 June 1996 1 July 1997 27 Benjamin Netanyahu
(Likud)		 14th
11 Ehud Barak
אהוד ברק‎
(born 1942)		 Labor Party 1 July 1997 6 July 1999
One Israel
Labor Party
12 Ariel Sharon
אריאל שרון‎
(1928–2014)		 Likud 6 July 1999 30 July 2000 28 Ehud Barak
(Labor) 		15th

Designated Opposition Leaders

[edit]

After Amendment 8 to the "Knesset law" of 1994 was passed, the Leader of the Opposition became an official position held by the leader of the largest faction within the opposition.

Name
(Birth–Death) 		Portrait Party Term start Term end Government(s)
opposed 		Prime minister(s)
opposed 		Knesset
12 Ariel Sharon
אריאל שרון‎
(1928–2014)		 Likud 31 July 2000 7 March 2001 28 Ehud Barak
(Labor)		 15th
13 Yossi Sarid
יוסי שריד‎
(1940–2015)		 Meretz 7 March 2001 4 November 2002 29 Ariel Sharon
(Likud 2001–2005;
Kadima 2005–2006)
14 Binyamin Ben-Eliezer
בנימין בן אליעזר‎
(1936–2016)		 Labor Party 4 November 2002 12 March 2003
30 16th
15 Amram Mitzna
עמרם מצנע‎
(born 1945)		 Labor-Meimad
Labor Party		 12 March 2003 13 May 2003
16 Dalia Itzik
דליה איציק‎
(born 1952)
 13 May 2003 25 June 2003
(5) Shimon Peres
שמעון פרס‎
(1923–2016)		 25 June 2003 10 January 2005
17 Yosef Lapid
יוסף לפיד‎
(1931–2008)		 Shinui 10 January 2005 23 November 2005
18 Amir Peretz
עמיר פרץ‎
(born 1952)		 Labor-Meimad
Labor Party		 23 November 2005 16 January 2006
(10) Benjamin Netanyahu
בנימין נתניהו‎
(born 1949)		 Likud 16 January 2006 17 April 2006
17 April 2006 31 March 2009 31 Ehud Olmert
(Kadima)		 17th
19 Tzipi Livni
ציפי לבני‎
(born 1958)		 Kadima 6 April 2009 2 April 2012 32 Benjamin Netanyahu
(Likud)		 18th
20 Shaul Mofaz
שאול מופז‎
(born 1948)		 Kadima 2 April 2012 9 May 2012
21 Shelly Yachimovich
שלי יחימוביץ׳‎
(born 1960)		 Labor Party 9 May 2012 23 July 2012
(20) Shaul Mofaz
שאול מופז‎
(born 1948)		 Kadima 23 July 2012 5 February 2013
(21) Shelly Yachimovich
שלי יחימוביץ׳‎
(born 1960)		 Labor Party 5 February 2013 25 November 2013
33 19th
22 Isaac Herzog
יצחק הרצוג‎
(1960–)		 25 November 2013 14 May 2015
Zionist Union
Labor Party
14 May 2015 31 July 2018 34 20th
(19) Tzipi Livni
ציפי לבני‎
(born 1958)		 Zionist Union
Hatnuah		 1 August 2018 1 January 2019
(21) Shelly Yachimovich
שלי יחימוביץ׳‎
(born 1960)		 Labor Party 1 January 2019 30 April 2019
21st
22nd
Vacant de jure, Benny Gantz de facto 30 April 2019 17 May 2020
23 Yair Lapid
יאיר לפיד‎
(born 1963)		 Yesh Atid 17 May 2020 6 April 2021 35 23rd
(10) Benjamin Netanyahu
בנימין נתניהו‎
(born 1949)		 Likud 28 June 2021 29 December 2022 36 Naftali Bennett
(Yamina/New Right)
Yair Lapid
(Yesh Atid)		 24th
(23) Yair Lapid
יאיר לפיד‎
(born 1963)		 Yesh Atid 2 January 2023 Present 37 Benjamin Netanyahu
(Likud) 		25th

Notes

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Leader of the Opposition Knesset
  2. ^ "Leader of the Opposition". knesset.gov.il. 2014. Retrieved 15 December 2020.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Leader_of_the_Opposition_(Israel)&oldid=1260181557"