How a party for Russian immigrants became a kingmaker in Israeli politics

Countries & Cities · Published 10 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Founded in 1999 by Avigdor Lieberman, Yisrael Beiteinu emerged from disillusionment with the peace process. By championing a hardline nationalist agenda and demanding loyalty to the Jewish state, the party transformed from a niche representative of Russian-speaking immigrants into a pivotal force capable of determining the shape of Israeli coalitions.

Yisrael Beiteinu was established by Avigdor Lieberman in 1999 following his departure from the Likud Party. His exit was prompted by a disagreement with then-Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Wye River Memorandum, which Lieberman viewed as an unacceptable concession to the Palestinians. Drawing its initial strength from Israel’s Russian immigrant community, the party sought to follow the path of Zionist leader Vladimir Jabotinsky, emphasizing defense, immigration, and the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

The party’s influence grew significantly over the following decade. In the 2009 general election, Yisrael Beiteinu secured 15 seats in the Knesset, positioning itself as a kingmaker. During this period, Lieberman pushed for legislation requiring oaths of allegiance to the Jewish state, a move widely perceived as targeting Israel’s Palestinian minority. The party’s trajectory has been marked by frequent shifts in coalition alliances, including a joint list with Likud in 2013 and various ministerial roles for Lieberman, ranging from foreign minister to defense minister.

By 2019, the party’s role shifted again as it became a central obstacle to forming a government. Lieberman insisted on a broad unity coalition, refusing to join any government led by Netanyahu following the latter's indictment on corruption charges in November 2019. This stance contributed to a period of political stalemate, forcing multiple national elections. While the party’s demographic base has historically been Russian-speaking, it has navigated a complex path through Israel's fractured political landscape, consistently maintaining a non-conciliatory stance toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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