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 passes first reading of controversial bill to split attorney-general's role - analysis

Supporters say the bill restores power to elected officials; critics say it would weaken the state’s central legal gatekeeper.

JUNE 4, 2026|BySARAH BEN-NUN

Attorney general Gali Baharav-Miara at a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee meeting at the Knesset, in the Israeli parliament on September 30, 2025.

Rabbi Robin Fryer Bodzin stands in front of the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Rabbi warns proposed Kotel bill could criminalize egalitarian prayer

Thirteen years ago, on the morning of Rosh Chodesh Adar, Rabbi Elyse Goldstein was detained at the Kotel after joining a group praying with Women of the Wall in the women’s section.

JUNE 4, 2026|ByJTA/ RABBI ROBYN FRYER BODZIN

Attorney Michael Rabello, candidate for the State Comptroller seen at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on June 1, 2026.

Knesset elects Netanyahu’s attorney as state comptroller after coalition MKs forced to film votes

Amid coalition pressure and vote controversies, Netanyahu ally Michael Rabello wins Knesset election for state comptroller.

JUNE 3, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV

Likud lawmakers react as they attend a 40 signatures debate, at the plenum hall of the Knesset, in Jerusalem, December 8, 2025

Likud sets July primaries while Netanyahu weighs impact of candidates on election outcome

According to a knowledgeable source, Netanyahu has come to terms with the idea of primaries, meaning that he is not currently working to cancel them.

JUNE 2, 2026|ByANNA BARSKY

Haredi MKs instructed to end cooperation with coalition over contentious ultra-Orthodox draft bill

Progress on the contentious haredi draft legislation has become intertwined with the push for the haredi parties - Shas and United Torah Judaism - to dissolve the Knesset and move up the election.

MAY 25, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

MK Boaz Bismuth seen with Haredi MK's during a plenum session at the assembly hall of the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, January 14, 2026.

Israel’s Eurovision future at risk over KAN funding bill, EBU warns

EBU Director-General Noel Curran warned that a bill changing KAN’s funding could harm Israel’s global standing and threaten its future participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.

MAY 25, 2026ByTZUF TZIMERING, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

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

West Bank, Gaza antiquities bill raises international law concerns, legal adviser warns Knesset

The comments came as lawmakers prepared to advance the legislation on West Bank and Gaza antiquities toward final votes in the committee.

MAY 24, 2026ByKESHET NEEV, MIRIAM SELA-EITAM

View of the ancient archeological site of Sebastia, near the West Bank city of Nablus, May 12, 2025.

Gov’t secretary says contentious haredi draft bill will pass, coalition soon to secure majority

Fuchs dismissed comments from Haskel, who objected to the bill, and from the group of coalition lawmakers who also objected to it.

MAY 21, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

Cabinet Secretary Yossi Fuchs seen at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, June 18, 2024

Israel's next election is a battle for the country's soul - opinion

What is on the minds of Israeli voters as they prepare to head to the ballot box?

MAY 21, 2026ByTAMAR HERMANN, LIOR YOHANANI

Israeli current opposition leader Yair Lapid (L) and former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett stand together in Tel Aviv on May 12, as they hold their inaugural conference of their ‘Together – Under Bennett’s Leadership’ party for the upcoming national election.

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Knesset

Knesset passes first reading of controversial bill to split attorney-general's role - analysis

Rabbi warns proposed Kotel bill could criminalize egalitarian prayer

Knesset elects Netanyahu’s attorney as state comptroller after coalition MKs forced to film votes

Likud sets July primaries while Netanyahu weighs impact of candidates on election outcome

Haredi MKs instructed to end cooperation with coalition over contentious ultra-Orthodox draft bill

Israel’s Eurovision future at risk over KAN funding bill, EBU warns

West Bank, Gaza antiquities bill raises international law concerns, legal adviser warns Knesset

Gov’t secretary says contentious haredi draft bill will pass, coalition soon to secure majority

Israel's next election is a battle for the country's soul - opinion

Religious Zionist Party crosses threshold, strengthening coalition even as Likud weakens - poll

Attorney-General guidelines could freeze political diplomatic appointments - explainer

Bennett warns Netanyahu over draft evasion, IDF manpower issues during Knesset visit

Was Ahmadinejad in the running to be reinstated?

Coalition's bill to dissolve Knesset passes preliminary reading amid crisis over haredi draft bill