List of minor political parties in Israel
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Israel has numerous minor political parties. Under the proportional representation electoral system used to elect members of the Knesset, parties required only 1% of the vote to win a seat in the legislature until the 1992 elections, when the electoral threshold was increased to 1.5%. This was raised to 3.25% prior to the 2015 elections. This article lists all parties to have contested a Knesset election, but failed to win seats.
2015–present (3.25% threshold)
| Party | Elections | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ahi Movement (Brotherhood Movement) | 2026 | Haredi party affiliated with Haim Yosef Abergel. |
| Ale Yarok | 1999, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2015 | Party advocating for the legalisation of marijuana. |
| Arab National Party | 2006, 2015 | Formed in 1999 as a breakaway from the United Arab List and had two seats between 1999 and 2003. |
| Bible Bloc | Apr. 2019, Sept. 2019, 2020 | |
| Brit Olam | 2005, 2009, 2013, 2015, Apr. 2019 | |
| Code Black | 2026 | Haredi party affiliated with the Jerusalem Faction |
| Da'am Workers Party | 1996, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2013, Sept. 2019, 2020 | Also known as the Organisastion for Democratic Action |
| Democratura | 2015 | |
| Fiery Youth | 2022 | led by Hadar Muchtar to combat the rising cost of living; received 8,800 votes |
| Flower Party | 2015 | Accused by Yachad as being a satellite list of Shas, as it used the same ballot symbol as Otzma Yehudit which ran on a joint list with Yachad. |
| Gan Eden (Garden Eden or Paradise) | 2026 | Headed by Yeshua Ben David, a Messianic Jew. |
| The Greens | 1999, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2015 | |
| Hakahal Party | 2026 | Haredi party |
| Haredi Public | 2026 | Haredi party |
| Hope for Change | 2013, 2015 | |
| Ihud Bnei HaBrit | Apr. 2019, Sep. 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 | Christian Arab party |
| Israel First | 2026 | Headed by Sharren Haskel |
| Justice for All | 2019 | Animal rights Party |
| Koah LeHashpi'a (Power to Influence) | 2009, 2013, 2022 | Advocated greater rights for disabled citizens. |
| Leader | 2003, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2020 | Party name was an acronym for "Progressive Liberal Democrat Party" (Hebrew: מפלגה מתקדמת ליברלית דמוקרטית, Miflaga Mitkademet Liberalit Demokratit) |
| Liberal–Economic Power | 2020 | Libertarian party established in 2019 by former members of Zehut; originally known as the New Liberal Party. |
| Living with Dignity | 2013, 2015 | |
| Mishpat Tzedek (Just Judgement) | 2020, 2021, 2026 | Headed by Larissa Amir, the wife of Yigal Amir, the assassin of Yitzhak Rabin. |
| Moreshet Avot (Heritage of the Fathers) | 1999, 2013, 2015 | Headed by Yosef Ba-Gad. Contested the 2015 elections under the name "Social Leadership". |
| Or (Light) | 2009, 2013, 2015 | Headed by Yaron Yadan, focussed on the separation of religion and state. |
| Partnership for All | 2026 | Arab party led by Talal Al-Qarinaui. |
| Pirate Party | 2013, 2015, Apr. 2019, Sept. 2019, 2020 | Based on the international Pirate Party model, and headed by former Holocaust Survivors and Ale Yarok Alumni leader Ohad Shem-Tov. |
| Rappeh | 2021 | opponent of COVID restrictions; received 17,346 votes |
| Sharshar | 2026 | Headed by Eitan Shvili also known as "Sharshar" who calls himself king. |
| Shavim | 2019 (Apr) | co-founded by Tally Gotliv; received 401 votes |
| Social Leadership | 2013, 2015, Apr 2019, Sep 2019, 2020 | Led by Ilan Mashiqah Jer-Zanbar, used Moreshet Avot (former party of Yosef Ba-Gad) as a shelf party |
| U'Bizchutan (And by Their Merit) | 2015 | Party for ultra-Orthodox Jewish women. |
| We are all Friends Na Nach | 2013, 2015 | |
| Yachad | 2015 | Founded by former Shas leader Eli Yishai. Ran on a joint list with Otzma Yehudit in the 2015 elections. |
1992–2013 (1.5% threshold)
| Party | Elections | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Ahavat Yisrael (Love Israel) | 2003 | |
| Ahrayut (Responsibility) | 2009 | Party advocating the creation of a constitution and the holding of regular referendums. |
| Am Shalem (Whole Nation) | 2013 | Formed by Haim Amsalem after he left Shas in 2010. The name was taken from his surname. |
| Casino Party | 1999 | |
| Citizen and State | 2003 | Party was taken over by Avraham Poraz prior to the 2006 elections and rebranded as Hetz |
| Economy Party | 2013 | Headed by Yulia Shamalov-Berkovich |
| Eretz Hadasha (New Country) | 2013 | Anti-corruption party headed by Eldad Yaniv. |
| Hatikva (The Hope) | 1992 | Headed by Charlie Biton |
| HaYisraelim (The Israelis) | 2009, 2013 | Founded by Gideon Doron, a professor of political science at Tel Aviv University and president of the Israeli Association of Political Science. In the 2009 elections it focussed on political reform, mainly introducing regional elections, the appointment of ministers who were experts in their area of responsibility, establishment of a constitution and equal representation of men and women. For the 2013 elections it was taken over by David Cone, a TV journalist with Channel 9 and focussed on the rights of new immigrants. |
| Holocaust Survivors and Grown-Up Green Leaf Party | 2009 | An alliance of some members of Ale Yarok and members of the "New Zionism" party, whose head was a Holocaust survivor and an activist for legalising cannabis, the main campaign issue for Ale Yarok. |
| Koah HaKesef (Power of Money) | 1996, 2006, 2009 | Established as the Settlement Party in 1996 following economic crises in many kibbutzim. However, following a deal signed in the same year between the government, the Kibbutz Movement and the banks, the party's activity ceased. Contested the 2006 elections as HaLev and the 2009 elections as Koah HaKesef. |
| Lahava (Flame) | 2003 | |
| Lazuz (To Move) | 2009 | Anti-corruption party, which also campaigned against high wages of executives. |
| Lehem (Bread) | 2006, 2009 | Party name was an acronym for "United Society Warriors" (Hebrew: לוחמי חברה מאוחדים, Lohamey Hevra Meuhadim) |
| Lev LaOlim (Heart to the Immigrants) | 1999, 2006, 2009 | Party for immigrants from Central Asia. Also known as "Lev". |
| Man's Rights in the Family Party | 1996, 1999, 2003, 2006, 2009 | Contested the 1999 and 2006 elections under the name "Justice for All" |
| Movement for Democracy and Aliyah | 1992 | Russian immigrant party, commonly known as "Da" (the party's abbreviation, and the Russian word for "Yes") |
| Movement for Mortgage Affected, Homeless and Demobilised Soldiers | 1992 | |
| Natural Law Party | 1992, 1999 | |
| Negev Party | 1999 | |
| New Arab Party | 1999 | |
| New Liberal Party | 1992 | Formed in 1990 as a breakaway from Likud and held three seats going into the 1992 elections. |
| The New Zionism | 2006 | |
| On Wheels | 1992 | |
| Oz LaAniyim (Strength to the Poor) | 2006 | |
| Pensioners, Immigrants and Senior Citizens | 1992 | |
| Pikanti | 1992 | |
| Pnina Rosenblum | 1999 | Headed by Pnina Rosenblum |
| Power for Pensioners | 1999 | Headed by Gideon Ben-Yisrael |
| Progressive Center Party | 1999 | |
| Progressive Confederation | 1996 | Breal-away faction from Progressive List for Peace led by Muhammad Zidan |
| Social Justice | 2013 | Formed in February 2007 by Arcadi Gaydamak |
| Tafnit (Turnaround) | 2006 | Anti-corruption party established by Uzi Dayan. Merged into Likud in 2008. |
| Tali | 1992 | |
| Telem Emuna | 1996 | Headed by Yosef Azran |
| Tikva (Hope) | 1999 | |
| Torah VeAretz (Torah and Country) | 1992 | Headed by Moshe Levinger |
| Tzabar | 2009 | Headed by Boaz Toporovsky |
| Tzipor | 1992 | |
| Unity for the Defence of New Immigrants | 1996 | Formed in 1990 as a breakaway from the Alignment and had one MK between 1990 and 1992. |
| We are Brothers | 2013 | |
| Women's Party | 1977, 1992 | Founded by Marcia Freedman. Headed by Ruth Rasnic in the 1992 elections |
| Yamin Yisrael | 1996 | Formed in 1995 as a breakaway from Moledet and held one seat going into the 1996 elections |
| Yisrael Aheret (Another Israel) | 2003 | |
| Yisrael HaMithadeshet | 2009 | Formed in 1999 as a breakaway from Yisrael BaAliyah and had two seats until the elections that year. |
| Yisrael Hazaka (Strong Israel) | 2009 | Breakaway from the Labor Party, headed by Efraim Sneh in 2008. Other members included Erela Golan and Michael Bar-Zohar. Focused on law and order. |
| Za'am | 2003 |
1949–1988 (1% threshold)
| Party | Elections | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Abolish Income Tax | 1981 | |
| Aliyah and Youth Movement | 1984 | |
| Amkha (Ordinary People) | 1981, 1984 | Headed by Victor Tayar |
| Arab Brotherhood List | 1981 | Christian Arab list headed by Haneh Hadad |
| Arab Citizens' List | 1981 | Bedouin list headed by Nuri al-Okbi |
| Arab List – The Centre | 1955 | General Zionists Arab satellite list |
| Arab Reform Movement | 1977 | Ratz Arab satellite list |
| Socialist Union (Bund) | 1959 | |
| Beit Yisrael (House of Israel) | 1977 | |
| Black Panthers | 1973 | Headed by Shalom Cohen |
| Blue White Panthers | 1973 | |
| Brit HaTzohar | 1949 | Headed by Aryeh Altman |
| Brotherhood Movement | 1965, 1973 | |
| Council to Rescue the Homeland | 1981 | |
| Derekh Aretz | 1988 | |
| Do Kiyum BeTzedek (Coexistence in Justice) | 1977 | Arab list headed based in Galilee headed by Hafez Mahmoud Shelby |
| For Jerusalem | 1949 | Headed by Daniel Auster |
| For New Immigrants and Demobilized Soldiers | 1951 | |
| Handicapped Organisation | 1984 | |
| Has Mas | 1984 | |
| Hofesh (Freedom) | 1977 | Headed by Shalom Cohen |
| Holocaust Handicapped and Injured Faction | 1959 | |
| Independence | 1981, 1984 | |
| Independent Faction for Israeli Arabs | 1959 | Headed by Masaad Kassis, Mapai Arab satellite list |
| Independents | 1959 | |
| Initiative – Independents Movement | 1981 | |
| Israeli Arab Labour Party | 1959 | Ahdut HaAvoda Arab satellite list |
| Israeli Arab List | 1973 | Likud Arab satellite list |
| Likud – Popular Economic Movement | 1955 | |
| List for Aliyah | 1981 | |
| List for the Land of Israel | 1969 | Headed by Israel Eldad, composed of members of the Movement for Greater Israel |
| Movement for Demobilised Soldiers | 1988 | |
| Movement for Moshavim | 1988 | Headed by Ra'anan Naim |
| Movement for Social Equality | 1973 | Headed by Avner Shaki |
| Movement for Social Justice | 1988 | Headed by Rafael Suissa |
| Movement for the Homeland | 1984 | |
| National Organisation for the Defence of the Tenant | 1984 | |
| National Union | 1959 | Headed by Shlomo Cohen-Tzidon |
| Nes (Miracle) | 1965 | Headed by Abie Nathan |
| New Generation | 1977 | |
| New Immigrants Front | 1959 | |
| New Immigrants' List | 1955 | |
| One Israel | 1981 | Formed by Yitzhak Yitzhaky in 1980 after he left Likud and held a single seat going into the 1981 elections. |
| Or Movement | 1988 | |
| Original Religious List | 1955 | |
| Otzma (Strength) | 1981 | Headed by Rafael Halperin |
| Peace List | 1965 | Rafi Arab satellite list |
| Peace List | 1969 | Headed by Gadi Yatziv |
| Pensioners | 1988 | |
| Pensioners' List | 1981 | |
| Popular Arab Bloc | 1949 | Mapam Arab satellite list |
| Popular Movement | 1973 | Headed by Asher Hassin |
| Religious Sephardim List | 1961 | |
| Sephardim-Ashkenazim Unity | 1951 | Headed by Eliyahu Kitov |
| Sephardi National Party | 1959 | Headed by Avner Shaki |
| Shiluv | 1984 | |
| Silent Power | 1988 | |
| Socialist Revolution List | 1973 | Far-left party led by Rami Livneh, son of MK Avraham Levenbraun and tied to Ma'avak. |
| Supporters of Democracy | 1961 | Arab party |
| Tarshish | 1988 | Headed by Moshe Dwek |
| Tent Movement | 1981 | |
| Third Power | 1959 | |
| Traditional Judaism List | 1949 | |
| Ultra-Orthodox List | 1949 | Headed by Eliyahu Kitov |
| Union of North African Immigrants | 1959 | |
| United List of Religious Workers | 1949 | Headed by Yeshayahu Leibowitz |
| Unity Party | 1981 | Formed in 1980 after the break-up of the Left Camp of Israel and held two seats going into the 1981 elections. |
| Unity – for Victor Tayar to the Knesset | 1988 | Headed by Victor Tayar |
| Workers Bloc | 1949 | Mapai Arab satellite list |
| Working and Religious Women | 1949 | Headed by Tova Sanhadray |
| Ya'ad | 1981 | Formed in 1978 after the break-up of the Democratic Movement for Change and held a single seat going into the 1981 elections |
| Yishai – Tribal Israel Together | 1988 | Headed by Shimon Ben-Shlomo |
| Yitzhak Gruenbaum List | 1949 | Headed by Yitzhak Gruenbaum |
| Young Israel | 1965, 1969 | |
| Youth Movement | 1981 | |
| Zionist Panthers | 1977 |
References
- ↑ The Electoral Threshold, Wasted Votes, and Proportionality Israel Democracy Institute
- ↑ Spiriton, Lir (26 July 2026). "Can the Ultra-Orthodox Political Establishment Be Challenged? A New Generation Is Trying". Shomrim. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
- ↑ Margit, Maya (22 July 2022). "New Israeli party focused on high living costs hopes to win youth vote". Jerusalem Post.
- 1 2 "Israel's election takes shape as 38 parties submit slates, in battle between pro- and anti-Netanyahu blocs". timesofisrael. 9 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 Pensioner wannabes? Haaretz, 21 January 2009
- ↑ Staff writer (1 January 2020). "Bennett eyes alliance with former Zehut activists". Arutz Sheva. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
- ↑ טלאל אלקרינאוי, תושב רהט, הודיע: אתמודד לכנסת בראש מפלגת 'השותפות לכולם br7news.co.il, 8 September 2026
- ↑ רוצים לעגון בכנסת: הכירו את מפלגת הפיראטים Ynet, 5 December 2012
- ↑ "Rappeh, A New Israeli Political Party Against the Lockdowns". The Jewish Press. 15 February 2021.
- ↑ "From crowns to pirates: Israel's fringe parties turn election filing day into a spectacle". ynet. 8 September 2026. Retrieved 9 September 2026.
- ↑ "בחירות 2013 יוצאות לדרך: הכירו את 34 המפלגות". news.walla.co.il. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
- ↑ Amsalem launches alternative to Shas The Jerusalem Post, 15 April 2011
- ↑ על כוס בירה: אלדד יניב הכריז על הקמת מפלגה חדשה Haaretz, 15 October 2012
- ↑ ניצולי שואה והקנאביס: "אפילו לא פאתטי" Yedioth Ahronoth, 29 January 2019
- ↑ Word of the Day / Kikar: Back to Square One, Sandwich in Hand Haaretz, 6 October 2013
- ↑ Uzi Dayan joins Likud, hails Netanyahu for fight on corruptio The Jerusalem Post, 27 July 2008
- ↑ "Sneh's car torched next to his Herzliya home". The Jerusalem Post. ISSN 0792-822X.
- ↑ Brit HaTzohar Israel Democracy Institute
- ↑ Sepharadim-Ashkenazim Unity Israel Democracy Institute
- ↑ Ultra-Orthodox List Israel Democracy Institute
- ↑ Working and Religious Women Israel Democracy Institute