Knesset

The Knesset is the legislative branch of the Israeli government. Its name, whose Hebrew translation means literally 'the gathering' or 'the assembly, is a derivative of the ancient Great Assembly,' the gathering of 120 sages that governed the Jewish people between the end of the Biblical prophets until 200 B.C. The Knesset is the national legislature of the State of Israel and passes all of the country's laws, in addition to electing the president, approving the cabinet and supervising governmental work. The Knesset functions as the unicameral national legislature in Israel in a parliamentary manner, with elections forming members of Knesset (MKs) held at least every fourth year. Knesset history The Knesset first convened on February 14th, 1949, taking over for transitional governments that had existed since Israel declared independence on May 14th, 1948, and met in the Jewish Agency building in Jerusalem. Between March and December of that year the legislature was moved to Tel Aviv, the only period the Knesset was not seated in Jerusalem. Following a four-month return to the Jewish Agency building, the Knesset moved to King George Street in the city center, where it remained until the current complex was opened in the Jerusalem neighborhood of Givat Ram, August 31st, 1966. The Knesset complex was funded by British Liberal politician James de Rothschild and has underwent two major additions, completed in 1992 and 2007. Knesset functions The Knesset sets the laws of the State of Israel and oversees governmental works via a series of 12 permanent committees, which include ones focused on foreign affairs and defense, education and culture, economics and the status of women, among others. Special committees can also be formed when necessity arises, such as the central elections committee and the public petitions committee, among others. The Knesset, as a parliamentary system, is presided over by the Speaker of Knesset and passes laws based off a simple majority of the 120-member voting bloc. Israel's prime minister, as head of the ruling party, is determined by the party best able to form a coalition comprised of at the minimum a simple majority. Knesset seats are allocated based on proportional representation using the D'Hondt method and parties are admitted to Knesset when passing an election threshold of 3.25 percent. Members of Knesset have the ability to raise a vote of no confidence in the government or in government ministers, a move that was only once successful in Knesset's history. Likewise, in order for a prime minister to be named, the candidate must receive a vote of confidence on the Knesset floor before taking office. Knesset assemblies There have been 20 assemblies of Knesset in Israel's history, each referred to by its election number. The First Knesset, under the auspices of prime minister David Ben-Gurion, was in session from 1949 until 1951. Elections occurred by and large every fourth year, unless elections were called early. However, no Knesset term lasted fewer than three years, except for the 19th Knesset, which lasted from 2013 until 2015.
Read More
Less

Knesset approves declaratory measure to apply Israeli sovereignty to West Bank

According to Israeli law, the current status of the territories it captured from Jordan in the Six-Day War, save for east Jerusalem, is that of a “temporary belligerent occupation.”

Bismuth elected new Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee head

Netanyahu announced that MK Hanoch Milwidsky will become ‘temporary’ Finance Committee head.

 Benjamin Netanyahu and Yuli Edelstein seen at the Knesset on November 4, 2021

Likud MKs jostle for Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairmanship

With at least six MKs aiming for the position of FADC chairman, including Yuli Edelstein, who's aiming to keep the position, the vote pitted MKs in the party against each other.

 Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police outside the IDF Recruitment Center at Tel Hashomer

New haredi draft proposal by reservist NGOs gains traction on Knesset, still no clear framework

According to the proposal, all haredi men will receive draft summons and be required to serve in the IDF, although the outline does not explain why it would be limited to men.

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef's attacks on Edelstein ignore his sacrifices for Judaism

Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef seems to ignore who Yuli Edelstein really is: someone who physically risked his life for the observance of Torah and mitzvot.

22/07/2025

Israel's Constitution Committee debates revised NGO funding bill

The initial version of the bill that passed a preliminary vote in February would have slapped an 80% tax on “foreign state entity” donations to NGOs.

 Benjamin Netanyahu and Yuli Edelstein seen at the Knesset on November 4, 2021

Netanyahu's Likud to remove Edelstein from key committee over haredi draft fallout

A replacement for Edelstein on the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee may be willing to make concessions that Edelstein was not willing to make, thus allowing the bill to proceed.

Defense Minister Katz pushes bill improving IDF soldiers' conditions

According to Katz, the bill will improve the service of all soldiers, "who fight like lions for Israel's security."

With the haredi parties out of gov't, future of haredi draft bill unclear

The bill likely hinges on whether or not Edelstein remains head of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.

A-G: Gov't decision to fire A-G is faulty, must be subjected to judicial review before advancement

The decision “opened the door to firing the attorney-general - the general prosecutor - based on foreign factors and calculations, including regarding ongoing criminal investigations,” she wrote. 

Subscribe for our daily newsletter
Subscribe for our daily newsletter

By subscribing I accept the terms of use and privacy policy