Shaul Gutman's Political Party: A History of Electoral Attempts
The political landscape is often defined by small movements striving to find a voice within a rigid system. One such example is the party founded by Shaul Gutman, which emerged from a split within the Moledet party on July 24, 1995. Over the following decade, the party attempted various strategies to enter the legislature, navigating the challenges of the electoral threshold.
Key Facts
- Founded: July 24, 1995, by Shaul Gutman.
- Origin: A breakaway group from the Moledet party.
- Primary Challenge: Consistently failing to meet the electoral threshold (the minimum percentage of votes required to win a seat).
- Key Alliances: Partnered with Herut – The National Movement (2003) and the Jewish National Front (2006).
The Struggle for Representation
The party's first major test came during the 1996 elections. Despite its efforts to establish a presence, it failed to cross the 1.5% electoral threshold, resulting in no seats being won.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
Strategic Alliances and Joint Lists
To overcome the barrier of the threshold, the party began forming joint lists—agreements where multiple parties run under a single banner to combine their vote totals.
In the 2003 elections, the party joined forces with Herut – The National Movement. This alliance garnered 36,202 votes, representing 1.1% of the total. Despite the increase in support, they remained 8,000 votes short of the required threshold.
The party attempted another partnership for the 2006 elections, this time running alongside Baruch Marzel's Jewish National Front. This effort resulted in 28,824 votes, or 0.79%, again failing to secure a seat in the legislature.
Electoral Performance Summary
| Election Year | Alliance/Partner | Votes Received | Percentage | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Independent | Not specified | < 1.5% | Failed threshold |
| 2003 | Herut – The National Movement | 36,202 | 1.1% | Failed threshold |
| 2006 | Jewish National Front | 28,824 | 0.79% | Failed threshold |
Following these unsuccessful attempts, the party did not participate in the 2009 elections.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the party founded?
The party was founded on July 24, 1995, after Shaul Gutman broke away from Moledet.
What is an electoral threshold?
An electoral threshold is the minimum percentage of the total vote a party or list must receive to be eligible for representation in the legislature.
Which parties did Shaul Gutman's party partner with?
The party ran joint lists with Herut – The National Movement in 2003 and the Jewish National Front in 2006.
Did the party ever win a seat?
No, the party failed to cross the electoral threshold in every election it contested.
Did the party run in the 2009 elections?
No, the party did not run in the 2009 elections.