1996 Israeli elections

The 1996 Israeli elections were held to choose the 14th Knesset, Israel's parliament. Incumbent Prime Minister Shimon Peres's Labor Party faced challenger Benjamin Netanyahu of the Likud party. Despite initial polls favoring Peres, Netanyahu campaigned vigorously against corruption and for security, ultimately winning with approximately 50.5% of the vote. This marked a significant political shift, ending Labor's long dominance, and signaled a move towards more conservative policies. The election underscored Israel’s dynamic political landscape, with voters closely divided on issues of security, peace process, and economic policies.