1974 Israeli Labor Party leadership election
23 April 1974
 
Candidate Yitzhak Rabin Shimon Peres
Popular vote 298 254
Percentage 53.99% 46.02%
Leader before election

Golda Meir

 Elected Leader

Yitzhak Rabin

The 1974 Israeli Labor Party leadership election was held on 23 April 1974.[1] It saw the party's central committee elect Yitzhak Rabin to succeed Golda Meir as the party's leader. Rabin defeated Shimon Peres. It was the first of four leadership contests in which Rabin and Peres challenged each other (followed by the February 1977, 1980, and 1992 leadership elections).[2]

Rabin was the first sabra (individual that was native to the land where Israel is located) to be elected leader of the Labor Party.[2][3]

Background

The leadership election took place after Golda Meir was successfully pressured to step down amid public criticism of her government after the Yom Kippur War.[2]

Candidates

In contrast to Peres' lengthy Knesset and Labor Party experience, Rabin had only been a Labor Party member of the Knesset for a few months. Rabin's resume had extensive military background, but little political experience. Rabin was, ultimately, the first Labor Party leader not to have first been a member of the party's leadership ranks.[2] Rabin held the backing of the "Old Guard" of the Labor Party. Nevertheless, Peres managed to receive significant support in the vote.[2]

Results

The election was held by a secret ballot of the party's central committee.[3]

1974 Israeli Labor Party leadership election[1][2]
Candidate Votes  %
Yitzhak Rabin 298 53.99
Shimon Peres 254 46.02
Total votes 552 100

References

  1. 1 2 "Approval sought of new Israeli premier". Newspapers.com. Rapid City Journal. The Associated Press. 23 April 1974. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 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. 1 2 "Israel breaks from the old traditions". Newspapers.com. The Age (Melbourne, Victoria). 25 Apr 1974. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
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