From Begin to Netanyahu

The limited literature on populism in Israel allows for an examination of the conceptual debate on populism's practical implications. By employing a contemporary conceptualization of populism to the case of Israel, this article examines the conventional wisdom classifying Menachem Begin and Benjamin Netanyahu as populists. The article utilizes a multimethod analysis combining content analysis and comparative case studies, analyzing the rhetoric and policymaking of both leaders. The content analysis reveals that Begin exhibited a relatively low degree of populism, a characteristic similarly observed in the early years of Netanyahu's leadership. However, a comprehensive evaluation of their policies and legislative actions highlights a significant divergence. Begin consistently adhered to liberal democratic principles, while Netanyahu's illiberal tendencies were evident from his first term in office. The findings further indicate that Netanyahu's populism progressively intensified throughout his tenure, particularly gaining momentum after 2015.