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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.

Netanyahu strengthens, Bennett struggles to form gov't, Eisenkot gains mandate in newest poll

The poll surveyed 511 respondents, representing a representative sample of Israel’s adult population (Jewish and Arab, over the age of 18).

|ByAVRAHAM BLOCH, MOSHE COHEN
THE KNESSET votes last month on a bill to hold an early election. The legislation failed. Still, elections are likely to come soon, the writer maintains.
GADI EISENKOT after announcing his resignation in Tel Aviv.

Could Gadi Eisenkot succeed Netanyahu as Israel’s next leader? - opinion

MIDDLE ISRAEL: Eisenkot may emerge as Israel’s next leader because he has become a symbol of Middle Israel’s agonies, having lost, in the current war, a son and a nephew.

|ByAMOTZ ASA-EL
PRIME MINISTER Benjamin Netanyahu meets with US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff earlier this year. While much attention has been focused on the Gaza ceasefire proposal advanced by Witkoff, the deeper, longer-term challenge remains Iran, says the writer.

Victory over Iran means that Israel must end the war in Gaza - opinion

Hamas will not disappear overnight, but the territory in Gaza can be stabilized to secure a victory over Iran.

|ByYAAKOV KATZ
Avi Maoz, the far-right lawmaker from the Noam party, is the author of a bill meant to align Israel's rules for citizenship with Orthodox standards.

Knesset bill would narrow eligibility for Israel citizenship

The bill would eliminate a clause in the law that extends the right of citizenship to individuals who are not considered Jewish under religious law but have at least one Jewish grandparent.

|ByASAF SHALEV/JTA

Text of Haredi draft law expected in Knesset committee within days

The text is expected to reflect agreements reached between Edelstein and representatives of the Knesset’s haredi parties on June 12.

JULY 3, 2025ByELIAV BREUER
Committee Chairman Yuli Edelstein leads a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem on May 8, 2025.

MK Ayman Odeh decries Knesset House Committee as 'fascist' after impeachment vote

"We will stand firm against fascism, against Kahanism, against Jewish supremacy, against the occupation, and against all anti-democratic forces," Odeh said.

JULY 2, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF
MK Ayman Odeh attends Hadash–Ta'al faction meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 30, 2025.

National Unity MK Gadi Eisenkot formally resigns from Knesset

"I have seen greatness in serving the people," he wrote. "I will act with faith and commitment to creating a leadership alternative worthy of the State of Israel."

JULY 2, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, ELIAV BREUER
MK Gadi Eisenkot seen at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, June 30, 2025.

Ben-Gvir rallies Smotrich to block Gaza ceasefire, opposition offers Netanyahu 'safety net'

Yair Lapid said the opposition would offer Netanyahu support to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal, should Ben-Gvir and Smotrich oppose.

JULY 2, 2025ByMAYA GUR ARIEH
Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich attend a plenum session on forming the government, in the Israeli parliament, on December 29, 2022.

Almog Cohen rescinds resignation from gov’t as Netanyahu advances Negev airport

Cohen resigned less than 48 hours ago, citing the lack of progress in advancing the establishment of a civilian airport in the Negev.

JULY 1, 2025ByWALLA!
MK Almog Cohen reacts at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem during a petition to allow medical treatment for Hamas terrorists, July 1, 2024.

After Eisenkot, Matan Kahana also announces exit from Gantz's party

Kahana's exit follows Gadi Eisenkot's Monday announcement that he would be leaving National Unity and resigning from the Knesset.

JULY 1, 2025ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF, ELIAV BREUER
MK Matan Kahana attends a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on May 7, 2025.

Knesset committee votes to impeach Israeli Arab lawmaker Ayman Odeh

The impeachment vote will now head to the Knesset plenum, where it must receive 90 votes in order to pass. If it passes, Odeh will still have the right to appeal the decision.

JUNE 30, 2025ByELIAV BREUER
Hadash-Ta'al leader Ayman Odeh attends a protest in his support, outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 30, 2025.

Almog Cohen resigns from gov’t over Nevatim airport law

After resigning, Cohen accused the “deep state” (professional government echelon) of pushing for the airport to be built in the Jezreel Valley instead. 

JUNE 29, 2025ByELIAV BREUER
MK Almog Cohen reacts at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem during a petition to allow medical treatment for Hamas terrorists, July 1, 2024.

'Silencing Arabs': Arab factions slam Zionist opposition's part in Ayman Odeh impeachment

The two Israeli-Arab parties in the Knesset announced that they would boycott a meeting between the heads of their opposition parties due to some members in support for impeaching MK Ayman Odeh.

JUNE 29, 2025ByELIAV BREUER
MK Ayman Odeh attends an emergency conference on the murders in the Arab society at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on January 21, 2025

Bill proposal to privatize Kan passes ministerial committee

According to the bill, Kan will no longer be allowed to broadcast "news and current events" on television or radio.

JUNE 29, 2025ByELIAV BREUER
View of the offices of Israel's public broadcaster KAN in Jerusalem. January 31, 2023.

‘A ceasefire is not a goal, it’s a tool’: Israeli lawmakers cautiously weigh cost of victory

While the ceasefire declared by US President Donald Trump has held for over 48 hours, its implications remain a matter of dispute.

JUNE 27, 2025ByGABRIEL COLODRO/THE MEDIA LINE
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet seen at the Knesset plenum, June 11, 2025