List of Prime Ministers of Israel
At its founding in 1948 the State of Israel took a parliamentary system of government at, with a prime minister (Hebrew ראש הממשלה, Rosh haMemschala " head of government" ) at the head of government and a president as head of state with mostly ceremonial duties.
Israeli Prime Minister
Five of the twelve incumbents were for two separate periods in office.
Direct-dial
The Israeli prime minister was three times determined directly from the electorate. The direct election should facilitate the formation of a government, however, led to a weakening of the major parties and to further fragmentation of the Knesset. Finally, there was a return to the traditional parliamentary government.
- May 29, 1996: Benjamin Netanyahu, 50.5 %, 49.5%, Shimon Peres.
- May 17 1999: Ehud Barak, 56.1 %, 43.9 % Benjamin Netanyahu.
- 6 February 2001, Ariel Sharon 62.4 %, Ehud Barak 37.6%.