2003 Israeli Election
The direct ballot abolished28 January 2003 · The direct-election experiment · 120 seats, 61 for a majority
Similarly to the 2001 elections for the position of prime minister, these elections were also affected by the Second Intifada, which was a period of intense fighting and Palestinian militancy campaigns.
Prime Minister before
Ariel Sharon
Likud
Prime Minister (continued)
Ariel Sharon
Likud Ariel Sharon
Largest force
Likud
38 of 120 seats
Turnout
67.8%
The result
| Share of the Knesset | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Likud | — | 38 | +19 | 925,279 | 29.4% | — | |
| Labor–Meimad | — | 19 | -6 | 455,183 | 14.5% | — | |
| Shinui | — | 15 | +9 | 386,535 | 12.3% | — | |
| Shas | — | 11 | -6 | 258,879 | 8.2% | — | |
| National Union | — | 7 | -1 | 173,973 | 5.5% | — | |
| Meretz - Democratic Choice - Shahar | — | 6 | -4 | 164,122 | 5.2% | — | |
| National Religious Party | — | 6 | +1 | 132,370 | 4.2% | — | |
| United Torah Judaism | — | 5 | 0 | 135,087 | 4.3% | — |
13 further seats went to parties and independents outside the main contenders listed above.