February 1977 Israeli Labor Party leadership election

The February 1977 Israeli Labor Party leadership election was held on 23 February 1977.[1] It saw the delegates to the party's convention reelect Yitzhak Rabin as the party's leader. Rabin defeated Shimon Peres. It was the second of four leadership contests in which Rabin and Peres faced each other (after the 1974 and followed by the 1980, and 1992 leadership elections).[2]

February 1977 Israeli Labor Party leadership election

← 1974 23 February 1977 1977 (Apr) →
 
Candidate Yitzak Rabin Shimon Peres
Popular vote 1,445 1,404
Percentage 50.72% 49.28%

Leader before election

Yitzhak Rabin

Elected Leader

Yitzhak Rabin

It had been anticipated that the winner of this leadership election would lead the Israeli Labor Party into the May 17 1977 Knesset election.[1] However, Rabin ultimately announced his resignation before the Knesset election, and Peres was instead selected in an April vote held by the Israeli Labor Party's Central Committee to lead the party into that election.[2]

Candidates

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Background

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The race came at a moment when Labor was facing the prospect of seeing its 28-consecutive years of government leadership end, with the right-wing Likud bloc and the centrist Democratic Movement for Change being seen as cutting into the Labor Party's support for the upcoming 1977 Knesset election.[1]

Campaign

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The race was a close battle between the incumbent Rabin and Peres, who had faced each other for leadership in the preceding 1974 leadership election.[1][3]

Rabin and Peres held little policy difference. Peres was seen as slightly to the right of Rabin on domestic matters.[1]

Rabin argued to the electorate that replacing him would divide the party and harm its image, and painted an image of himself as a positive leader for the nation. Peres, on the other hand, argued to the electorate that the Labor Party needed to satisfy the nation's desire for change by choosing a new leader for itself.[1]

Rabin received support from most of his cabinet, as well as Golda Meir, his predecessor as party leader and prime minister.[1] The day before the vote, Rabin pledged to renew efforts to reach a peace agreement with the Arabs.[4]

Voting procedure

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The election's electorate was 3,000 delegates to the party's convention,[1][2] This was the first time that the party selected its leader by a vote of convention delegates, having previously held leadership elections through either a vote by the party's Central Committee or other party agencies.[2] Ahead of the vote, the result leadership election was seen as uncertain in outcome, a departure from previous leadership elections, which were largely a ratification of the already-chosen selection of party bosses.[1]

Results

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February 1977 Israeli Labor Party leadership election[2][3]
Candidate Votes %
Yitzhak Rabin (incumbent) 1,445 50.72
Shimon Peres 1,404 49.28
Total votes 2,849 100

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Eliason, Marcus (21 Feb 1977). "Close race for party leadership typifies political challenges in Israel". Newspapers.com. Arizona Republic. The Associated Press.
  2. ^ a b c d e Kenig, Ofer (2009). "Democratizing Party Leadership Selection in Israel: A Balance Sheet". Israel Studies Forum. 24 (1): 62–81. ISSN 1557-2455. JSTOR 41805011. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  3. ^ a b Parks, Michael (February 24, 1977). "Rabin wins renomination for Israeli premiership". Newspapers.com. The Baltimore Sun.:
  4. ^ Parks, Michael (February 23, 1977). "Rabin appears to benefit from promise of peace bid". Newspapers.com. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved 7 February 2022.