19th Knesset
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| 19th Knesset | |
|---|---|
| Name | 19th Knesset |
| Native name | הכנסת ה-19 |
| Country | Israel |
| Body | Israeli Parliament |
| Meeting place | Knesset, Jerusalem |
| Election | 22 January 2013 |
| Term start | 2013-02-05 |
| Term end | 2015-03-31 |
| Previous | 18th Knesset |
| Next | 20th Knesset |
19th Knesset
The 19th Knesset was the unicameral legislature elected in the 22 January 2013 Israeli legislative election and seated at the Knesset in Jerusalem. It succeeded the 18th Knesset and preceded the 20th Knesset, overseen during part of its term by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres. Major figures included party leaders such as Isaac Herzog, Tzipi Livni, Avigdor Lieberman, Naftali Bennett, and Yair Lapid.
Background and election
The election followed political shifts after the 2012 Israeli social justice protests and debates over the Iran nuclear program and relations with the Palestinian National Authority. Key campaign issues involved security concerns related to Hamas, Hezbollah, and tensions with Syria amid the Syrian civil war, as well as economic debates influenced by the Bank of Israel reports and protests invoking figures like Daphni Leef. Major parties contesting the election included Likud, Jewish Home (Israel), Labor Party, Yesh Atid, Yisrael Beiteinu, Shas, and United Torah Judaism.
Composition and party representation
The Knesset was composed of 120 members from multiple lists: Likud formed the largest single party faction, with the centrist Yesh Atid and the Labor Party significant opposition forces. Religious parties included Shas and United Torah Judaism, while nationalist right factions featured Yisrael Beiteinu and Jewish Home (Israel). Arab representation came through lists such as Hadash, Balad, and the United Arab List. Smaller representations included Meretz and minor lists associated with personalities like Shelly Yachimovich and Zeev Elkin.
Government formation and coalition
Following the election, coalition negotiations involved Benjamin Netanyahu seeking alliances with figures including Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu and representatives of Shas and United Torah Judaism. Attempts at a broad coalition included discussions with Isaac Herzog and negotiations influenced by centrist leader Yair Lapid. The eventual coalition formation process reflected prior precedents such as the March 2013 government formation dynamics and drew comparisons to past coalitions involving Ehud Olmert and Ariel Sharon in balancing secular and religious parties.
Legislative activity and major laws
Legislative output addressed matters touching on security, public finance, and civic affairs, with Knesset committees such as the Finance Committee and Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee active in hearings involving the Israel Defense Forces and budget reviews by the Ministry of Finance (Israel). Notable legislative initiatives included debates over welfare reforms associated with leaders like Moshe Kahlon, amendments affecting the National Insurance Institute (Israel), and regulatory changes impacting sectors monitored by the Israel Securities Authority. The body also considered laws related to judicial review and the role of the Supreme Court of Israel.
Key events and controversies
The term saw controversies such as disputes over budget allocations that echoed critiques from Amiram Levin and protests reminiscent of the 2011 Israeli social justice protests. Security crises, including exchanges with Hamas in the Gaza Strip and tensions with Iran over its nuclear program, shaped parliamentary debate. Scandals involving individual MKs prompted committee inquiries, while public debates over conscription and the status of Haredi service sparked clashes between factions like Yesh Atid and Shas. International reactions involved actors including the United States Department of State and attention from global media outlets citing leaders such as Barack Obama and John Kerry.
Members and replacements
The Knesset's 120 seats saw turnover due to resignations, ministerial appointments, and deaths, invoking the Norwegian law-style resignations by ministers and replacements from party lists such as those following rules used by Central Elections Committee (Israel). Prominent members included Benjamin Netanyahu, Isaac Herzog, Tzipi Livni, Avigdor Lieberman, Yair Lapid, Naftali Bennett, Shelly Yachimovich, Aryeh Deri, Eli Yishai, Avi Dichter, Zeev Elkin, Avi Gabbay, Dov Lipman, and representatives from Arab parties like Ayman Odeh and Haneen Zoabi. Mid-term changes brought in figures from party lists such as Orly Levy and saw replacements governed by precedents from earlier Knesset terms.