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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 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.

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Hadash-Ta'al leader Ayman Odeh attends a protest in his support, outside the Knesset in Jerusalem, June 30, 2025.
MK Almog Cohen reacts at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem during a petition to allow medical treatment for Hamas terrorists, July 1, 2024.

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. 

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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

'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.

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View of the offices of Israel's public broadcaster KAN in Jerusalem. January 31, 2023.

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.

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

Almost half of young Americans support Hamas over Israel, Harvard poll reveals

A Knesset report found that while overall support for Israel remained high at 75%, more young people remained split on support for Israel.

JUNE 26, 2025
A PRO-PALESTINIAN protest takes place across the entrance to Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, prior to the commencement ceremony, last week. The formation of Faculty for Justice in Palestine is a threatening development, the writer warns.

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.

JUNE 23, 2025
The Knesset

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.

JUNE 23, 2025
Israelis sleep in a public shelter at the Tel Aviv municipality as Iran fires ballistic missiles at Israel. on June 17 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.

JUNE 23, 2025
Knesset building illuminates in colors of US flag in honor of Trump's strikes on Iran nuclear facilities, June 22, 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.

JUNE 22, 2025
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

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.