The Hebrew word "Likud" is pronounced as [liˈkud] in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "li" is pronounced with a short "i" sound as in "it". The second syllable "kud" starts with a consonant sound of "k" followed by a short "u" sound as in "put" and a voiced "d" sound to end the word. The spelling of this word corresponds to its Hebrew pronunciation, where the letter kaf (כ) is used to represent the consonant sound of "k" and the letter dalet (ד) is used for the sound of "d".
Likud is a political party in Israel that was founded in 1973. The name "Likud" is an acronym for "Lehiyot Yehudim Demokratim" which translates to "Be-Hebrews Democratically". The party is known for its conservative policies and its support for a free-market economy. It embraces a nationalist ideology, placing a strong emphasis on Israeli security and often advocating for a robust military.
Likud has been a dominant force in Israeli politics since the late 1970s. It gained popularity under the leadership of Menachem Begin, who became Israel's Prime Minister in 1977. Begin's tenure marked a shift in Israeli politics, as Likud became the first non-socialist party to gain power. The party's policy stance on key issues such as territorial disputes, settlements, and peace negotiations has sometimes been a source of controversy and contention.
Over the years, Likud has attracted a diverse range of supporters, including both secular and religious Israelis. The party's ideology has evolved, and it has become more center-right in recent years. It remains one of the major political parties in Israel, consistently winning a significant number of seats in the Knesset (Israel's parliament).
Overall, Likud is recognized as a right-wing political party in Israel, advocating for a strong Israeli state and asserting the country's national security interests. It has played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of Israel and continues to be an influential force in Israeli politics.
The word "Likud" derives from the Hebrew language. It was formed by combining the Hebrew words "Likuy" (meaning consolidation) and "Ud" (a suffix commonly used to denote a political party in Hebrew). "Likuy" itself is a Hebrew word meaning gathering or consolidation.
The Likud political party was established in 1973 by Menachem Begin, who led a joining of several right-wing and liberal political parties in Israel. The party's name reflects the notion of gathering or consolidating different factions into a unified political movement.