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.

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OCTOBER 25, 2026|BySHIR PERETS

Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, together with party members, attends the presentation of the party’s candidate list ahead of the upcoming general elections in Rosh HaAyin, September 7, 2026.

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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.

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

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2026ByAMALIA SA’AR

Head of the Balad party MK Sami Abu Shehadeh arrives to cast his vote a voting station, on November 1, 2022; illustrative.

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Netanyahu warns of indications that Israel's enemies may attack in run up to election from Tel Nof Air Force Base.

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SEPTEMBER 29, 2026By103FM

MK Uriel Buso attends a National Security committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament on December 14, 2025.

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2026ByNEVILLE TELLER

Polling station attendants prepare ballots during the last election held on November 1, 2022.

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Likud election candidate Bonzel says he wishes former hostage was 'returned to Hamas,' apologizes

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2026ByJONAH DAVIDOV

New Likud candidate Itzik Bonzel attends an event presenting the party’s new candidates ahead of the upcoming general elections, in Jerusalem, September 8, 2026

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SEPTEMBER 28, 2026ByJPOST EDITORIAL

(Illustrative) A man casts his ballot at a voting station on the morning of the municipal elections, in Ashdod, February 27, 2024

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An illustrative image of menstrual care products

Attorney-General pushes court to freeze entire Broadcasting Law to rule on petitions challenging it

Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara asked the High Court of Justice to freeze the Knesset's entire Broadcasting Law to rule on petitions challenging it.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN

Israeli attorney general Gali Baharav Miara attends a House committee meeting at the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament in Jerusalem on, June 9, 2026

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The Jerusalem Post's must-listen news roundup with Gadi Zaig - the top stories, clear and concise.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS