Fifteenth Knesset Elections, Ehud Barak Becomes 10th Prime Minister of Israel

Ehud Barak, former Israeli Chief of Staff, defeats Benjamin Netanyahu in Israeli parliamentary elections by a 56-44% majority. The Labor and Likud Parties lose significant representation in the Knesset. Barak forms a coalition with One Israel, Shas, Meretz, Center Party, Mafdal, Yahadut Hatorah, and Yisrael B’aliyah. Significant strength swings to Shas and Russian immigrant parties.