Israel Elections 2021

The 2021 legislative elections in Israel were held on March 23, 2021, in order to elect the members of the 24th Knesset. The elections were the fourth in two years and were triggered by the dissolution of the Likud-Blue and White coalition which lasted for less than a year.

A total of 39 parties registered to run in the elections, although several dropped out shortly ahead of election day itself.

The election results saw the Likud party receive 30 seats, seven less than they had held in the 23rd Knesset, followed by Yesh Atid with 17, and then Shas with nine. Meretz, Haavodah, and Ra'am, received six, seven, and four seats respectively, despite uncertainty about whether or not any of them would pass the minimum threshold.

As leader of the largest majority, Benjamin Netanyahu was charged with forming a government by then-president Reuven Rivlin. Upon his failure to do so by the deadline, the mandate was passed onto Yair Lapid as leader of the second-largest party.

Together with Naftali Bennett, Yair Lapid set out to form a wide coalition encompassing parties from the left such as Meretz and Haavodah, and the right, Yamina and New Hope. Mansour Abbas' Ra'am signed a coalition agreement with Lapid on June 2, just several hours before the deadline, making Ra'am the first Arab party to sit in government.

On June 13, 2021, the thirty-sixth government of Israel was sworn in with Naftali Bennett as Prime Minister and Yair Lapid set to take over as head of government in 2023.

Religious identity remains Israel's strongest political divide, new IDI study finds

While the relationship between religion and political affiliation remained largely stable compared to the previous election, the study identified several notable shifts between 2021 and 2022.

JUNE 29, 2026|ByLEO FEIERBERG BETTER

A voting box in the last Israeli election in 2015

Head of the left wing Meretz party Zehava Gal-On leaving after a meeting with Labor leader and Transportation Minister Merav Michaeli and Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid at Lapid's home in Tel Aviv on September 10, 2022.

New Meretz campaign video depicts violence by Netanyahu supporters

The video includes clips of violence inserted every few seconds, in between the words "this violence did not start now. It has been like this for two years, just like then."

SEPTEMBER 22, 2022|ByELIAV BREUER

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attends a cabinet meeting, March 20, 2022.

Israel elections: Bennett is crashing in the polls

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett’s Yamina Party would win four seats if an election was held today, losing three seats in a span of three days.

JUNE 24, 2022|ByELIAV BREUER

Dozens of Evangelical Christians are seen attending the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast, on June 10, 2021.

Christians pledge unconditional support for Israel at prayer breakfast

Speakers call to move more embassies to Jerusalem * Rabbi: ‘We are in a crisis, at a crossroads’

JUNE 10, 2021|ByMAAYAN JAFFE-HOFFMAN

Likud MKs fight over potential cooperation with United Arab List

While some Likud members of Knesset see a potential in the Arab party Ra'am, that managed to reach the threshold, others cannot fathom such cooperation.

MARCH 24, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

MK MANSOUR ABBAS (middle front) and members of the Arab Joint List vote in December to dissolve the Knesset.

Netanyahu calls rivals to join him, warns of fifth election if they don't

"We cannot be dragged to a fifth election," Netanyahu said. "I reach out my hand to all of my colleagues who agree with me. I do not reject anyone who agrees with these principles."

MARCH 24, 2021ByIDAN ZONSHINE

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to his supporters after the exit polls were announced for the election of the 24th Knesset, March 24, 2021.

The people spoke, again, but the overall message was garbled - analysis

The people spoke, again, but they mumbled and the overall message was garbled … again.

MARCH 23, 2021ByHERB KEINON

Israel Elections: Voting ballot, March 23, 2021.

Google Doodle honors Israeli election day with ballot cartoon

When one clicks on the new logo, it presents a Google search for "Israel Elections 2021," and the logo – now at the top left of the page – has a blue sky with white clouds in the background.

MARCH 23, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Google Doodle for Israel's election day

Haredi parties hold seats in exit polls

Shas leader Aryeh Deri and UTJ leader Ya'acov Litzman urge the ultra-Orthodox to vote against a perceived threat to Jewish character of the state.

MARCH 23, 2021ByJEREMY SHARON

Head of Shas and Interior Minister, Arye Deri voted at a polling station close to his house on Kablan Street in Jerusalem.

Despite 'gevalt' campaign, exit polls give Meretz six seats

During campaign, party was predicted to not pass the threshold

MARCH 23, 2021ByUDI SHAHAM

Meretz chairman Nitzan Horowitz voted in the polling station on March 23, 2021. He said, "Bibi is praying that Meretz won't pass."

Israel Elections: Politicians, public figures, cast their ballots

Politicians and public figures across Israel began voting early Tuesday morning.

MARCH 23, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Ra'am Party leader Mansour Abbas casts his vote at a voting station in Maghar, during the Knesset Elections, on March 23, 2021.

Come together

Now is the time to stop this baseless hatred, find common ground – and even if we can’t love our neighbors, at least let’s respect them.

MARCH 23, 2021ByJPOST EDITORIAL

Rabbis and Imams release doves of peace at the Isra Dubai Business Forum, December 16, 2020

Rivlin calls voting for Knesset Holy of Holy of Israel's Democracy

Rivlin entreated the public to vote "for our children, grandchildren, future generations and for ourselves. Together we can achieve a victory for Israel's democracy."

MARCH 23, 2021ByGREER FAY CASHMAN

President Reuven Rivlin cast his vote in the March 2021 elections.

How did Israelis spend Election Day vacation?

About 100,000 people toured national parks throughout Israel on Tuesday.

MARCH 23, 2021ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Visitors at Mount Gerizim park on Election Day, March, 2021