October 10, 1983
Yitzhak Shamir becomes the seventh prime minister of Israel after Menachem Begin resigns because of health and personal issues. He forms a coalition government among Likud, the National Religious Party, Agudat Yisrael, Tami, Telem and the Tehiya.
Shamir serves the remainder of Begin’s term, focusing on improving relations with the United States and stabilizing Israel’s economy, until the scheduled elections of July 1984. In those elections, the Alignment, led by Shimon Peres, receives the most votes but is unable to form a coalition. A special national unity government is formed, whereby Peres serves as prime minister for two years followed by Shamir for two years.
Shamir, as the head of Likud, is elected again in 1988 and serves as prime minister until Likud’s defeat to Yitzhak Rabin and the Labor Party in 1992.
