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.

Israeli elections: American Jews should wait before declaring a winner - opinion

A party’s place in Israel’s election results tells only part of the story. American Jews must also focus on challenges in their own communities.

OCTOBER 28, 2026|ByMICHAEL J. SALAMON, LOUIS LIBIN

Naama Lazimi, a Member of Knesset and candidate in The Democrats party primaries, is seen at her campaign headquarters on the day of the party’s primary election in Tel Aviv, Israel, July 20, 2026.

Prime Minister and Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu at the Likud party’s election headquarters in Jerusalem, October 28, 2026

Israel election results signal political deadlock , raising three possible post-election scenarios

With neither Netanyahu nor Eisenkot securing a parliamentary majority, Israel faces three possible outcomes: an opposition coalition, a unity government, or another election.

OCTOBER 28, 2026|ByRUTH EGLASH/JTA

A road sign stands in front of a large billboard featuring Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (R) of the Likud party and former military chief and leader of the centrist Yashar party, Gadi Eisenkot, in Ramat Gan on October 20, 2026.

Israel election results: Netanyahu bloc wins 53 seats, opposition holds 48, Arab parties skyrocket

PM pulls ahead of Eisenkot with close to five million votes counted, but both blocs fall short of majority • Arab parties predicted to reach combined seat total of 19, complicating coalition efforts

OCTOBER 28, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV

Israeli Prime Minister and Likud party chairman Benjamin Netanyahu at the Likud party’s election headquarters at Binyanei HaUma (Jerusalem International Convention Center) in Jerusalem, following Israel’s general elections, early October 28, 2026.

How the new Knesset can begin changing Israel before a coalition forms - opinion

The first priority should be legislation ensuring the establishment of an independent state commission of inquiry into the failures that led to October 7.

OCTOBER 28, 2026|ByGERSHON BASKIN

'Bennett II': Ben-Gvir refuses to sign vote surplus share agreement with Winter's People of Israel

Ben-Gvir refused to sign a surplus vote agreement with Ofer Winter, calling him "Bennett II," prompting Winter to accuse him of wasting right-wing votes ahead of the elections.

OCTOBER 13, 2026ByMAARIV, JAMES GENN

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visits the Maariv and Walla studios at the start of the election campaign, October 13, 2026.

The election deadlock: How Israel and Sweden are facing the same majority problem - analysis

In Israel and Sweden, proportional elections keep producing narrow winners and no government

OCTOBER 13, 2026ByTZVI JASPER

Israeli voters choose among competing party lists, but election day is often only the beginning of the battle to form a government.

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Israel’s electoral system is over 100 years old - is it time to let voters choose their own MKs?

Could changing how voters choose their representatives make elections better suited to the country today?

OCTOBER 13, 2026ByCHANI KAPLAN

Israelis vote for a party list, but have no say on Election Day over which of its candidates will ultimately represent them in the Knesset.

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On This Day: Final living hostages return from Gaza, as Trump addresses Knesset following ceasefire

Additionally, the remains of four murdered hostages, Yossi Sharabi, Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi, and Captain Daniel Peretz, were returned to Israel that evening for burial.

OCTOBER 13, 2026ByJAMES GENN

Former hostage arrives in Sheba Medical Center, two years after being captured by Hamas,on October 13, 2025.

How do Israeli elections work? A guide to voting, Knesset seats, and coalitions - explainer

Israel uses a system called proportional representation, which helps explain its many political parties, complicated coalition negotiations, and frequent early elections.

OCTOBER 13, 2026BySTEVEN GANOT/THE MEDIA LINE

(Illustrative) A man casts his ballot at a voting station on the morning of the municipal elections, in Ashdod, February 27, 2024

Netanyahu must agree to debate Eisenkot as it's only way for voters to get answers - editorial

Israel needs those answers to understand how its leaders would prevent another catastrophe. Accountability also requires examining the decisions of the military and intelligence establishments.

OCTOBER 13, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Likud election campaign event ahead of the upcoming general elections, in Tel Aviv, September 17, 2026.

Joint List offers safety net to government seeking to oust Netanyahu, opening door for Eisenkot

Declaring the Joint List will use "every tool at our disposal," party leader Yousef Jabareen also laid out a series of demands as conditions for providing political support to a minority government.

OCTOBER 12, 2026ByYOAV ETIEL, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Yousef Jabareen, chairman of the Joint List, attends the party’s campaign launch event ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Tel Aviv, October 5, 2026

Bennett: Netanyahu can serve as minister in next gov't if he backs opposition's key principles

Bennett said Netanyahu could serve as a minister in the next government if he backed a state inquiry, universal military enlistment, and a constitution for Israel.

OCTOBER 11, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Former prime minister and B'Yachad party leader, Naftali Bennett, at the election conference of the newspaper "Hador," Sunday, October 11, 2026.

Israeli women demand more than election promises as parties face pressure over equality

A WIZO survey found that 54% of respondents wanted parties to present clear plans to advance women, as election candidates were questioned about safety, equal pay, and representation.

OCTOBER 11, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN

FROM LEFT: Ziva Glanz of Haredi Public, Lali Deri of People of Israel, Democrats MK Naama Lazimi, Yashar candiate Inbar Yehezkeli, Pnina Tameno-Shete of Blue and White, Israel First candidate Sharren Haskell, and journalist Dafna Liel. (WIZO).

Shas, UTJ sign surplus vote-sharing deal, pledge cooperation in next Knesset

The two major haredi parties announced a vote-sharing deal to maximize their Knesset seats and pledge a united front on key religious issues after the elections.

OCTOBER 11, 2026ByKESHET NEEV