| Election Name: | 1974 Israeli Labor Party leadership election |
| Flag Image: | Havoda (1977-1992).png |
| Ongoing: | no |
| Previous Election: | 1969 Israeli Labor Party leadership election |
| Previous Year: | 1969 |
| Next Election: | February 1977 Israeli Labor Party leadership election |
| Next Year: | 1977 (Feb) |
| Election Date: | 23 April 1974 |
| Candidate1: | Yitzhak Rabin |
| Popular Vote1: | 298 |
| Percentage1: | 53.99% |
| Candidate2: | Shimon Peres |
| Popular Vote2: | 254 |
| Percentage2: | 46.02% |
| Leader | |
| Before Election: | Golda Meir |
| After Election: | Yitzhak Rabin |
The 1974 Israeli Labor Party leadership election was held on 23 April 1974.[1] It saw the party's central committee elect Yitzhak Rabin to succeed Golda Meir as the party's leader. Rabin defeated Shimon Peres. It was the first of four leadership contests in which Rabin and Peres challenged each other (followed by the February 1977, 1980, and 1992 leadership elections).
Rabin was the first sabra (individual that was native to the land where Israel is located) to be elected leader of the Labor Party.[2]
The leadership election took place after Golda Meir was successfully pressured to step down amid public criticism of her government after the Yom Kippur War.
In contrast to Peres' lengthy Knesset and Labor Party experience, Rabin had only been a Labor Party member of the Knesset for a few months. Rabin's resume had extensive military background, but little political experience. Rabin was, ultimately, the first Labor Party leader not to have first been a member of the party's leadership ranks. Rabin held the backing of the "Old Guard" of the Labor Party. Nevertheless, Peres managed to receive significant support in the vote.
The election was held by a secret ballot of the party's central committee.[2]