Knesset

Knesset is the unicameral national legislature of Israel. As the supreme authority of the State of Israel, it holds the power to enact laws, elect the President and the State Comptroller, and oversee the work of the government through its ministers, including the Prime Minister. Its 120 members are elected through a nationwide proportional representation system, reflecting the country's multiparty political landscape, and it convenes in a distinctive building in the Givat Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem.

History

The first assembly convened in Tel Aviv on February 14, 1949, following the inaugural elections held after the establishment of the state. It succeeded the provisional Assembly of Representatives from the Mandate era. Key historical legislative acts include the controversial Basic Laws of Israel, which function as a constitutional framework, such as the Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel and the Basic Law: Israel as the Nation-State of the Jewish People. The assembly has been the scene of pivotal events, including the vote of confidence for the government of Menachem Begin before the Camp David Accords and the assassination of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995, which occurred after a session. Throughout its history, it has been dissolved multiple times, leading to frequent elections, such as those in 2019 and 2022.

Composition and election

All 120 members, known as MKs, are elected to four-year terms from a single nationwide district using a closed list proportional representation system. Parties must surpass a electoral threshold of 3.25% to gain representation, a rule that has shaped the composition of coalitions. The President of Israel assigns the task of forming a government to an MK, usually the leader of the largest party, such as Benjamin Netanyahu of Likud or Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid. The resulting coalition, which must command a majority, determines the Prime Minister and cabinet, while other parties like Shas, Religious Zionist Party, and Labor often form the opposition or join ruling blocs.

Powers and functions

Its primary authority is legislative, passing all state laws, including the Basic Laws of Israel. It invests and oversees the executive branch, approving the state budget and holding votes of no confidence. The assembly elects the President and the State Comptroller, and it has the power to remove the president or comptroller from office. It can also amend the Basic Laws, declare war, and ratify international treaties, such as the Israel–Jordan peace treaty. Furthermore, it serves as a constituent authority, though it has not drafted a formal constitution.

Committees

Much of its detailed work is conducted through permanent committees, which prepare legislation and conduct oversight. Key standing committees include the Finance Committee, which reviews the state budget; the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, which deals with matters of national security and relations with entities like the United Nations; and the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, which handles legislative reforms. Other important bodies are the State Control Committee, which reviews reports from the State Comptroller, and special inquiry committees, such as those formed after events like the Yom Kippur War or the Second Intifada.

Building and symbols

Since 1966, it has convened in the permanent Knesset building in the Givat Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem, designed by architect Joseph Klarwein. The complex includes the Chagall State Hall, adorned with tapestries and mosaics by Marc Chagall, and the Plenary Hall, where sessions are held under a dome designed by Dora Gad. The main entrance features a large Menorah sculpture, a gift from the British Parliament, symbolizing the state. The assembly's emblem incorporates the state emblem, and its work is conducted in Hebrew, with all legislation and proceedings also translated into Arabic.

Category:National legislatures Category:Government of Israel Category:Unicameral legislatures