Unity Party (Israel)

The Unity Party (Hebrew: מפלגת אחדות, Mifleget Achdut) was a short-lived political party in Israel, formed in January 1999 by four Members of Knesset (MKs) who had broken away from the Labor Party: Amir Peretz, Rafi Elul, Chaim Ramon, and Avraham Shochat.

The party's formation occurred against the backdrop of perceived dissatisfaction within Labor, particularly regarding the leadership of Ehud Barak and his handling of social and economic issues. The Unity Party aimed to present a social-democratic alternative, focusing on issues of social justice, economic equality, and workers' rights.

Despite the initial momentum and the high profile of its founding members, the Unity Party failed to gain significant traction in the May 1999 Knesset elections. It did not cross the electoral threshold and therefore did not win any seats in the 15th Knesset.

Following the election failure, the Unity Party effectively dissolved, and its members either returned to the Labor Party or pursued other political avenues. Amir Peretz, for instance, eventually became the leader of the Labor Party. Due to its brief existence and minimal impact on Israeli politics, the Unity Party is generally considered a minor footnote in the country's political history.