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.

Ra’am, Joint List fight bids to bar them from Knesset election

Ra’am, the Joint List, Balad and two candidates asked the Central Elections Committee to reject six petitions seeking to bar them from the 2026 Knesset election.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2026|BySARAH BEN-NUN

Ra’am party chairman Mansour Abbas, together with party member Yoav Segalovich, arrives to submit the party list to the Central Elections Committee, Jerusalem, September 7, 2026; illustrative.

Moti Leitner, chairman of the Haredi Public party, party members and supporters attend the launch of the party’s election campaign ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections in Beit Shemesh, August 23, 2026.

The Haredi Public: A politically responsible voice from Israel's ultra-Orthodox public - opinion

Fortunately, and finally, substantial numbers of haredi Israelis are moving away from this hostile approach. They think for themselves and are seeking alternative political leadership.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2026|ByDAVID M. WEINBERG

Campaign materials of candidates who ran in yesterday’s Likud primary elections are seen in Jerusalem, August 18, 2026

From Likud to Yisrael Beytenu: The case for a change on the Right - opinion

A former Likud MK details why he believes Yisrael Beytenu is the party that still stands for his core right-wing values.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2026|ByDAN ILLOUZ

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman

Majority believe Israel should help Saudis against Houthis as Likud continues downward trend - poll

Thirty-eight percent said such assistance should be conditioned on a normalization agreement between Israel and Saudi Arabia, while 16% supported assisting the kingdom even without diplomatic return.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2026|ByMOSHE COHEN

Arab Hadash-Ta’al, Ra’am parties sign agreement to reduce risk of lost votes

The move follows Ra’am, Hadash-Ta’al, and Balad running separately in the previous election and not signing an agreement on surplus votes

SEPTEMBER 13, 2026ByYOAV ETIEL

Yousef Jabareen attends Hadash–Ta'al faction meeting, at the Knesset, the Israeli parliament in Jerusalem, on July 6, 2026.

As his presidency enters its final stretch, Isaac Herzog lays out his three priorities for Israel

PRESIDENTIAL AFFAIRS: From the Abraham Accords to Israeli social divides, Herzog says diplomacy and unity will define the remainder of his presidency.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2026ByGREER FAY CASHMAN

PRESIDENT ISAAC HERZOG has made diplomacy, strengthening Jewish peoplehood, and healing divisions within Israeli society his three central priorities for the remaining two years of his term. Here, the president attends the Outstanding Officers Ceremony of the Israel Police on Sunday.

Where are all the women? Why Israel still struggles to put women at the top of politics

As Israel heads to elections, women remain present in politics but largely absent from its highest ranks

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026ByCHANI KAPLAN

Women make up roughly a quarter of Israel’s Knesset, but their representation thins considerably at the highest levels of political power.

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Israeli voters have strikingly little say - a 'semi-open ballot' reform can help - opinion

Israel’s electoral system gives voters remarkably little say. A modest reform could bring them closer to the politicians they elect

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026ByASSAF SHAPIRA

Israeli citizens have fewer opportunities to vote, in fewer democratic arenas, than citizens of any other developed democracy.

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Coalition strengthens as People of Israel crosses threshold, despite Likud dropping one seat - poll

The poll also found that after the previous survey showed the Reservists and Economic party crossing the threshold while Ofer Winter’s party did not, the two have now switched roles.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026ByMOSHE COHEN

The launch of the new Amcha Yisrael party, led by Ofer Winter, ahead of the upcoming Israeli general elections, in Jerusalem, August 25, 2026.

Editor’s Notes: The Rosh Hashanah accounting of leadership - comment

In an age of misinformation and political certainty, the hardest thing to find is the truth. This Rosh Hashanah, we should judge leaders by what they do, not what they say.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2026ByZVIKA KLEIN

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a Defense and Foreign Affairs Committee meeting at the Knesset, in Jerusalem, February 5, 2026

No. 4: Naftali Bennett: The former PM seeking a comeback to ‘repair Israel’

Since returning to politics, Bennett has shifted from his previous campaigns, taking a more liberal position while maintaining a strong right-wing stance on security.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

B'Yachad party chairman Naftali Bennett sits down with The Jerusalem Post at his party's headquarters, central Israel, September 4, 2026

Israeli polls split on 2026 Knesset election possibilities, as Yashar, Likud vie for primacy - poll

The bloc averages also show no clear outcome: Netanyahu’s bloc, including Winter, stands at 53.6 seats, compared with 53.4 for the Zionist opposition bloc.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2026ByMAARIV

Benjamin Netanyahu, Gadi Eisenkot, Naftali Bennett.

Knesset speaker calls on Winter to withdraw from election, claims he is endangering right-wing bloc

“The greatest danger to the right is not the left, it is the right itself. In 1992, despite the fact that the right received more votes, the left formed a government,” Ohana claimed.

SEPTEMBER 10, 2026By103FM, WALLA

Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana attends a Likud party conference ahead of the party’s primary elections in the northern city of Haifa, August 16, 2026.

Beit Yisrael could give Ethiopian Israelis a new path to political influence - opinion

Gadi Yevarkan’s new Beit Yisrael party seeks to move Ethiopian Israelis from political inclusion to real power.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2026BySHMUEL LEGESSE