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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.

Knesset sanctions two MKs for accusing IDF of war crimes

The most severe sanction was issued against Hadash-Ta’al chairman MK Ayman Odeh, who is already facing impeachment in a separate procedure.

|ByELIAV BREUER
The Knesset
Israelis sleep in a public shelter at the Tel Aviv municipality as Iran fires ballistic missiles at Israel. on June 17 2025.

Olim left in dark as missile warnings, compensation guidelines remain Hebrew-only

The share of immigrants living in areas hit by recent missile barrages “is very high,” yet key safety and compensation information has not been linguistically accessible to all immigrant communities.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
Knesset building illuminates in colors of US flag in honor of Trump's strikes on Iran nuclear facilities, June 22, 2025.

WATCH: Knesset building illuminates in colors of US flag after strikes on Iran nuclear facilities

Knesset Speaker Ohana referred to Trump as the most important president in US history and the best friend the Jewish people have ever had in the White House.

|ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
US President Donald Trump delivers an address following strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, at the White House in Washington, DC, US, June 21, 2025

Israel's president, opposition heads hail 'historic night' as Trump joins Iran strikes

"This brave step serves the security and safety of the entire free world. I hope it will lead to a better future for the Middle East," President Isaac Herzog said in a statment.

|ByELIAV BREUER

Haredi draft dilemma: Religious exemption from IDF will bring down the government

With a majority of Israelis calling for public change, haredi exemption from the IDF is no longer just a legal debate, but a question of Israel’s survival.

JUNE 19, 2025
Ultra-Orthodox Jews clash with police during a protest against the drafting of ultra orthodox jews to the Israeli army, on road 4 near Bnei Brak, June 5, 2025.

With focus on Iran, has the haredi coalition threat dropped? - analysis

Approximately 24 hours after the Knesset dispersal bill fell, Israel struck Iran. Both Edelstein and Shas MK Aryeh Deri knew about the timing of the attack in advance.

JUNE 17, 2025
Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on March 24, 2025.

Next Iranian military chief should be 'extremely cautious', FM Sa'ar says

"I'd recommend that whoever is offered that position think it through. If he accepts, extreme caution is recommended," Sa'ar said.

JUNE 17, 2025
Foreign Affairs Minister Gideon Sa'ar against backdrop of scene of Washington murder, May 22, 2025. (illustration)

Lawmaker's home hit in barrage, opposition leader's son also affected

Opposition leader and Yesh Atid chair Yair Lapid’s son’s home was also damaged.

JUNE 16, 2025
MK Hanoch Milwidsky attends a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem, on November 25, 2024.

Israel's seven-member National Security Cabinet met regularly to discuss Iran strike, source says

The seven were the only cabinet members who knew about the expected strike prior to the full cabinet meeting on Thursday evening.

JUNE 15, 2025
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Israel Katz attend a Plenum session of the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, in Jerusalem, June 11, 2025.

Coalition and opposition agree to scale down Knesset activity amid Iranian attacks

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee will convene for a classified meeting on Monday in order to hear an update on the ongoing operation against Iran.

JUNE 15, 2025
President Isaac Herzog visits the scene of an Iranian impact in Bat Yam on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

Editor's Notes: What’s left? Is there still a left wing in Israel?

The Zionist Left may not be dead, but it is unrecognizable. What remains is a scattered collection of individuals clinging to ideas few want to hear.

JUNE 13, 2025
Left wing activists protest against the war and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, not far from the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip, May 23, 2025.

Much ado about nothing: Coalition remains standing as core issues remain unsolved - analysis

The week culminated with an agreement between Shas, Degel Hatorah, Knesset legal advisers, and committees, and an ensuing failed attempt by the opposition to disperse the Knesset.

JUNE 12, 2025
A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish man holds a placard next to a police horse as he takes part in a protest against pressure to conscript into the military in Bnei Brak, Israel, June 5, 2025. The words in Hebrew read "We will not enlist in the enemy army."

Opposition's Knesset dispersal bill fails after Edelstein, haredim reach draft bill agreement

When the opposition called for the vote, Deputy Minister Yaakov Tesler and MK Moshe Roth of Agudat Yisrael voted in favor of dissolving the Knesset.

JUNE 12, 2025
ByELIAV BREUER, FRAIDY MOSER
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen outside his office at the Knesset, Israel's parliament in Jerusalem on June 11, 2025.

Knesset dispersal postponed after agreement between Edelstein, haredi leaders

This decision came after MK Moshe Gafni reported on the results of the negotiations between Netanyahu and Edelstein to Rabbi Hirsch.

JUNE 12, 2025
Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.

Knesset dispersal vote uncertain as haredim, Edelstein hold late meeting

The negotiations were held in a series of meetings in the Knesset, and involved, intermittently, representatives of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

JUNE 11, 2025
Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on March 24, 2025.