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.

Arab Hadash-Ta’al, Ra’am parties sign agreement to reduce risk of lost votes

The move follows Ra’am, Hadash-Ta’al, and Balad running separately in the previous election and not signing an agreement on surplus votes

SEPTEMBER 13, 2026|ByYOAV ETIEL

Yousef Jabareen attends Hadash–Ta'al faction meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 6, 2026.

PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG has made diplomacy, strengthening Jewish peoplehood, and healing divisions within Israeli society his three central priorities for the remaining two years of his term. Here, the president attends the Outstanding Officers Ceremony of the Israel Police on Sunday.

As his presidency enters its final stretch, Isaac Herzog lays out his three priorities for Israel

PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS: From the Abraham Accords to Israeli social divides, Herzog says diplomacy and unity will define the remainder of his presidency.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2026|ByGREER FAY CASHMAN

Women make up roughly a quarter of Israel’s Knesset, but their representation thins considerably at the highest levels of political power.

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Where are all the women? Why Israel still struggles to put women at the top of politics

As Israel heads to elections, women remain present in politics but largely absent from its highest ranks

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026|ByCHANI KAPLAN

Israeli citizens have fewer opportunities to vote, in fewer democratic arenas, than citizens of any other developed democracy.

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Israeli voters have strikingly little say - a 'semi-open ballot' reform can help - opinion

Israel’s electoral system gives voters remarkably little say. A modest reform could bring them closer to the politicians they elect

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026|ByASSAF SHAPIRA

Yesh Atid MK Levy confirms he will not be on Knesset list, says he is not leaving party

Levy also mentioned that he had met with party leader Yair Lapid, and had agreed to serve as the head of the party's court.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2026ByTZVI JASPER

Member of Knesset Mickey Levy attends a court hearing at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem on petitions seeking to overturn the election of attorney Michael Rabello as State Comptroller, June 18, 2026.

Israel must repair its ties with world Jewry by repairing itself - opinion

Anyone who cares about the future of relations between Israel and world Jewry must know that repairing those ties starts in large part with real repair at home here in Israel.

AUGUST 31, 2026ByMICHAL SLAWNY CABABIA

Michal Slawny Cababia is seen speaking at an event for young American Jewish community leaders and activists.

Israel Election 2026: The parties, blocs and battles that will shape Israel's future - explainer

Israel’s first post-October 7 election brings shifting alliances, new political faces and an uncertain path to power

AUGUST 31, 2026ByKESHET NEEV, SHIR PERETS

Results of a Maariv poll measuring how many seats each party would receive in the October 2026 Knesset elections, results shared on August 28, 2026.

Gadi Eisenkot: How a military record and personal grief made Netanyahu's biggest rival

Gadi Eisenkot’s military record, personal loss, and political rise have made him the strongest new challenger to Israel’s longest-serving prime minister

AUGUST 31, 2026BySHIR PERETS

Gadi Eisenkot, head of Yashar, is the main challenger to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the upcoming October election.

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Knesset

Arab Hadash-Ta’al, Ra’am parties sign agreement to reduce risk of lost votes

As his presidency enters its final stretch, Isaac Herzog lays out his three priorities for Israel

Where are all the women? Why Israel still struggles to put women at the top of politics

Israeli voters have strikingly little say - a 'semi-open ballot' reform can help - opinion

Yesh Atid MK Levy confirms he will not be on Knesset list, says he is not leaving party

Israel must repair its ties with world Jewry by repairing itself - opinion

Israel Election 2026: The parties, blocs and battles that will shape Israel's future - explainer

Gadi Eisenkot: How a military record and personal grief made Netanyahu's biggest rival

Bennett, Eisenkot draw the battle lines in race to lead Israel’s next coalition - analysis

Smotrich enters joint ticket talks with former Likud MK Feiglin as Likud slams Ben-Gvir

As Winter fuels Netanyahu’s discontent, Israel's Right faces a new dilemma

Winter's claimed support for Netanyahu overshadows his campaign, may siphon Likud voters - analysis

Ofer Winter, unification of Arab parties, shake up Knesset seats, push RZP below threshold - poll

Gilad Erdan confirms talks with Benny Gantz on possible election alliance