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.

Israel at a crossroads: Is Netanyahu's government on the brink of collapse?

NATIONAL AFFAIRS: Netanyahu’s current coalition, despite the colossal failure of October 7, has already outlasted about 75% of its predecessors.

 BILLS HAVE already been introduced to dissolve the Knesset, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is meeting with the key actors in this drama to try to avert that outcome. Here, Netanyahu arrives in the courtroom at the Tel Aviv District Court, before the start of his testimony on Tuesday.
 ELI AMIR receives his Life Achievement citation from President Isaac Herzog at the Yitzhak Navon Legacy Awards  ceremony held at the President’s Residence by the Culture and Sport Ministry.

Grapevine, June 6, 2025: A man and his legacy

 Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

Gov’t to bypass vetting committee in attempt to fire A-G

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in Jerusalem, September 27, 2023

Ultra-orthodox ultimatum pressures Netanyahu over military draft crisis - explainer


Netanyahu puppeteering government's collapse to avoid cross-examination in trial - report

Sources within ultra-Orthodox parties told Kan News that Netanyahu is attempting to puppeteer the government's collapse to delay his cross-examination as part of his trial.

 A plenum session and a vote on reviving the Ultra Orthodox enlistment bill at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on June 11, 2024.

Leading rabbi to instruct ultra-Orthodox faction to exit Netanyahu's coalition

Haredi leader hints at coalition exit over IDF draft bill delays, potentially collapsing the government.

 Rabbi Moshe Hillel Hirsch, pictured in 2014.

The accredited investor’s dilemma: The game theory of the Israel Securities Authority - opinion

Non-tradeable investments are not suitable for every investor, and indeed, a certain level of wealth, expertise, and understanding is required.

New Israeli Shekel bills are seen in front of an upwards-trending graph (illustration)

Survivors testify: MKs participated in sadistic sexual 'rituals' involving minors

‘Doctors, educators, police officers, and past and present members of the Knesset were involved in these abuses,’ survivor says.

 Two survivors - on the right is Yael Ariel, in the middle is Yael Shitrit.

Haredi minister pushing for bill to disperse Knesset, take Israel to elections

According to Israeli law, if a bill to disperse the Knesset passes, an election is automatically called and must occur within 90 days.

 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf seen in Jerusalem, September 27, 2023

Editor's Notes: Dermer’s hush-hush tactics deepen crisis of trust

Dermer is not a member of Knesset, and the “ministry” he heads is less a bureaucracy than a two-room hub tucked inside the Prime Minister’s Office. 

 ISRAELIS MARCH for the release of hostages, near the home of Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, in Jerusalem, on Wednesday. The protesters carried a sign calling for their release.

Golan surges in polls, Bennett leads opposition; Likud weakens

Yair Golan’s Democrats are gaining momentum as Naftali Bennett tops the latest poll. Likud loses ground, and Netanyahu’s bloc remains far from a majority.

 YAIR GOLAN speaks after the results were announced in the Labor Party primary election, in Tel Aviv, on Tuesday.

Dozens of MKs across the aisle sign letter of support for Jewish diaspora communities

The letter, signed by 66 Members of Knesset from both sides of the aisle, expressed "unshakable solidarity" with the diaspora community.

 A person holds a placard during a demonstration against antisemitism, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Brussels, Belgium December 10, 2023.

'I prefer to live in Jerusalem than Washington,' Huckabee says at Knesset event honoring the city

Huckabee spoke of his love for the city, saying, "I tell people all the time, I prefer to live in Jerusalem rather than Washington every day of the year."

 US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee meets with Israeli officials at the Knesset, May 28, 2025.

October 7 victims' NGO 'October Council' demands early Israeli elections

"Advancing the elections is not a political call—it is a moral call, dictated by circumstances and the urgent need to reach the truth," said Eyal Eshel, father of Roni Eshel.

  Eyal Eshel, father of Roni Eshel, who was killed on October 7.

Lapid: Israel may be secretly funding agencies involved in Gaza aid distribution

According to the opposition head, Gulf states were expected to fund the aid but declined, citing concerns about the companies’ structure.

Opposition head MK Yair Lapid leads a faction meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, May 26, 2025