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.

Former chief military prosecutor selected to lead Nukhba prosecutions

The appointment comes as Israel prepares a special military court in Jerusalem to try suspects in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre and the holding of hostages in Gaza.

OCTOBER 25, 2026|BySARAH BEN-NUN

LITIGATION BROUGHT by over 8,000 plaintiffs is moving through the Jerusalem District Court, where they are seeking to hold the Palestinian Authority responsible for deaths, injuries, and other harm caused by October 7. Here, Nukhba Force terrorists who were captured, are seen in a jail in Israel.

OPPOSITION LEADER Yair Lapid and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attend an election event for the joint list “Together” ahead of the upcoming elections, in Tel Aviv, central Israel, May 12, 2026.

Undecided voters should take a closer look at Bennett’s B’Yachad - opinion

Naftali Bennett’s B’Yachad offers Israel practical solutions, a new service law, and a unifying vision for the future.

OCTOBER 25, 2026|By AHRON SHAPIRO

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference in Jerusalem, March 19, 2026.

Why Netanyahu's supporters remain loyal to him despite his failures - opinion

By presenting himself as Israel’s indispensable protector, Netanyahu has forged a bond with supporters that can withstand even profound failures.

OCTOBER 25, 2026|BySARA DOBNER

(L-R): Yashar head Gadi Eisenkot; Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Eisenkot leads Netanyahu but deadlock looms, election polls show two days before Israelis vote

The average gap between the two major blocs stands at 4.5 seats, with neither reaching the 61-seat majority needed to form a government.

OCTOBER 25, 2026|ByMAARIV ONLINE

Genocide accusations against Israel are 'despicable lie,' Knesset Speaker Ohana says

Addressing European parliamentary leaders, Ohana rejected genocide allegations against Israel, accused world leaders of hypocrisy, and invoked the Holocaust and the October 7 massacre.

OCTOBER 15, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana speaks at the Council of Europe, October 15, 2026.

No minority government, no Netanyahu: Liberman sets coalition red lines ahead of elections

With neither political bloc projected to secure a majority, Liberman ruled out a minority government, rejected Netanyahu, and suggested Likud MKs could defect after the elections.

OCTOBER 15, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

Yisrael Beytenu's chairman Avigdor Liberman.

UTJ’s Pindrus calls gay Knesset Speaker Ohana a 'desecration,' Aguda files ethics complaint

There is one thing that, in my opinion, was a mishap: at the beginning of the term, they voted for a Knesset Speaker, and I think there was a desecration of God's name in it," said Pindrus.

OCTOBER 15, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

MK Yitzhak Pindrus speaks during a Finance committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, June 3, 2026.

First Israeli ballots cast as diplomats vote abroad from New Zealand to New York

Once cast and collected, the physical ballots will be transferred to Israel to be counted as a standard part of the upcoming elections.

OCTOBER 15, 2026ByAARON GLICK

A man casts his vote in the Israeli general elections, at a polling station in Jerusalem, on November 1, 2022.

Eisenkot's Yashar launches campaign aiming to draw votes from opposition bloc, overtake Likud

The move comes just two weeks after a meeting of the leaders of the opposition's change bloc, where they agreed to postpone discussions over who would be their prime minister candidate.

OCTOBER 14, 2026ByBEN CASPIT

Gadi Eisenkot, leader of the Yashar party, speaks during an election campaign rally in Haifa, September 23, 2026

'Bennett II': Ben-Gvir refuses to sign vote surplus share agreement with Winter's People of Israel

Ben-Gvir refused to sign a surplus vote agreement with Ofer Winter, calling him "Bennett II," prompting Winter to accuse him of wasting right-wing votes ahead of the elections.

OCTOBER 13, 2026ByMAARIV, JAMES GENN

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir visits the Maariv and Walla studios at the start of the election campaign, October 13, 2026.

The election deadlock: How Israel and Sweden are facing the same majority problem - analysis

In Israel and Sweden, proportional elections keep producing narrow winners and no government

OCTOBER 13, 2026ByTZVI JASPER

Israeli voters choose among competing party lists, but election day is often only the beginning of the battle to form a government.

Premium

Israel’s electoral system is over 100 years old - is it time to let voters choose their own MKs?

Could changing how voters choose their representatives make elections better suited to the country today?

OCTOBER 13, 2026ByCHANI KAPLAN

Israelis vote for a party list, but have no say on Election Day over which of its candidates will ultimately represent them in the Knesset.

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On This Day: Final living hostages return from Gaza, as Trump addresses Knesset following ceasefire

Additionally, the remains of four murdered hostages, Yossi Sharabi, Guy Illouz, Bipin Joshi, and Captain Daniel Peretz, were returned to Israel that evening for burial.

OCTOBER 13, 2026ByJAMES GENN

Former hostage arrives in Sheba Medical Center, two years after being captured by Hamas,on October 13, 2025.

How do Israeli elections work? A guide to voting, Knesset seats, and coalitions - explainer

Israel uses a system called proportional representation, which helps explain its many political parties, complicated coalition negotiations, and frequent early elections.

OCTOBER 13, 2026BySTEVEN GANOT/THE MEDIA LINE