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.

Knesset advances bill to enshrine Torah study into Basic Law, supporting haredi draft evaders

It proposes that the State of Israel "recognize those who commit themselves to long-term dedication to Torah study as performing significant service to the state and the Jewish people."

JUNE 10, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV

MK Tally Gotliv and and MK Ofir Katz attend a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 9, 2026.

MK Tally Gotliv and and MK Ofir Katz attend a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 8, 2026.

Tally Gotliv jeopardized Shin Bet agent’s safety, AG tells Knesset panel

The Attorney-General told the Knesset that Gotliv endangered a Shin Bet agent by disclosing classified details, as the MK seeks immunity from prosecution.

JUNE 9, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV

THOUSANDS TAKE part in the annual Gay Pride Parade in Jerusalem, on June 4, 2026.

Jerusalem Pride turned a divided city into a celebration of belonging - opinion

Jerusalem Pride is for those of us who believe in the dignity of every human being, regardless of who they love, how they pray, or where they come from.

JUNE 9, 2026|BySARINA WIESEL

A man holds a laptop computer as cyber code is projected on him in this illustration picture.

National Cyber Defense Bill passes first reading amid ongoing war against Iran

The bill, which is designed to establish a unified and binding framework for cyber defense within essential organizations for the first time in Israel, passed with zero opposing votes.

JUNE 9, 2026|ByANNA BARSKY

Future Israel (Part II): Structure of government - opinion

Without a governing constitution, the court has no solid legal basis on which to make its decisions, therefore setting itself up for conflict and criticism.

MAY 26, 2026BySHERWIN POMERANTZ

The Knesset plenum in session on May 20, 2026.

Likud MK Galit Distel-Atbaryan says she will not run in party primaries, next Knesset elections

Before her current role, Distel-Atbaryan held the position of Israel’s public diplomacy minister, which she resigned from one week after the October 7 massacre.

MAY 25, 2026BySHIR PERETS

MK Galit Distal-Atbaryan arrives to a Likud party meeting at the Knesset. December 3, 2023.

Haredi MKs instructed to end cooperation with coalition over contentious ultra-Orthodox draft bill

Progress on the contentious haredi draft legislation has become intertwined with the push for the haredi parties - Shas and United Torah Judaism - to dissolve the Knesset and move up the election.

MAY 25, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

MK Boaz Bismuth seen with Haredi MK's during a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 14, 2026.

Israel’s Eurovision future at risk over KAN funding bill, EBU warns

EBU Director-General Noel Curran warned that a bill changing KAN’s funding could harm Israel’s global standing and threaten its future participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

MAY 25, 2026ByTZUF TZIMERING, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

View of the offices of Israel's public broadcaster KAN in Jerusalem. January 31, 2023.

West Bank, Gaza antiquities bill raises international law concerns, legal adviser warns Knesset

The comments came as lawmakers prepared to advance the legislation on West Bank and Gaza antiquities toward final votes in the committee.

MAY 24, 2026ByKESHET NEEV, MIRIAM SELA-EITAM

View of the ancient archeological site of Sebastia, near the West Bank city of Nablus, May 12, 2025.

Gov’t secretary says contentious haredi draft bill will pass, coalition soon to secure majority

Fuchs dismissed comments from Haskel, who objected to the bill, and from the group of coalition lawmakers who also objected to it.

MAY 21, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs seen at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 18, 2024

Israel's next election is a battle for the country's soul - opinion

What is on the minds of Israeli voters as they prepare to head to the ballot box?

MAY 21, 2026ByTAMAR HERMANN, LIOR YOHANANI

Israeli current opposition leader Yair Lapid (L) and former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett stand together in Tel Aviv on May 12, as they hold their inaugural conference of their ‘Together – Under Bennett’s Leadership’ party for the upcoming national election.

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