HISTORY

In 1999, Herut - The National Movement was established and registered in the Israeli Department of Party Registry by former Likud activists led by Knesset members Benny Begin, Michael Kleiner, and David Re’em. The breakaway was the result of disagreements with Likud leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, over the Wye River Memorandum and the Hebron Agreement. Herut went on to run in three Israeli national elections: 1999, 2003, and 2006.

Upon inception, the movement joined the World Zionist Organization, set up party branches all over the world, and established a young adult movement, Magshimey Herut— the reborn Jabotinsky movement for Zionist education and activism. Herut has active branches in 11 countries today. Since 2004, the threshold for Knesset membership has been raised twice.

In 2009, founders of the New Herut party, MK Benny Begin and the head of the Likud Supreme Court, Michael Kleiner, rejoined the Likud.  Those true to the Herut ideology continue to advocate for the integrity of the Land of Israel and the unity of the people of Israel under the World Herut and the Magshimey Herut banner.

Presently, World Herut and Magshimey Herut concentrates its efforts on gaining adherents to Herut ideology, promoting Aliyah, and the absorption of Olim (Jews returning to Israel) into Israeli society.