Knesset
The Knesset (Hebrew for assembly) is the Israeli parliament, or legislative body, and is located in western Jerusalem. The unicameral parliament consists of 120 lawmakers, known as Knesset members or MKs, each chosen to represent their respective political parties for terms lasting no longer than four years between elections.
Among its functions, the Knesset enacts laws, supervises the work of the government, and reserves the power to remove the president and the state comptroller from office. It can also vote to dissolve itself and call new elections.
The first Israeli parliament convened on February 14, 1949, although it was not yet known as the Knesset. On February 16, the Constituent Assembly, as it was then called, ratified the Transition Law, thereby changing its name to the First Knesset, and elected Chaim Weizmann as the first president of the State of Israel.
The Knesset has been addressed by countless heads of state throughout the years. Undoubtedly one of the most memorable of these occasions came on November 20, 1977, when then Egyptian president Anwar Sadat took the plenum and addressed Israeli lawmakers, calling for peace between Israel and Egypt.
Jewish Extremist Leader Says Education Minister Praised His Group for Doing 'Holy Work'
Rafi Peretz met with Lehava leader Benzi Gopstein, who was charged with incitement to racism and violence, as part of talks over running for Knesset with the Kahanist party Otzma Yehudit
Betrayals, Defections and Fewer Women: The Losers and Winners of Israel's New Political Map
Stav Shaffir, Rafi Peretz, Moshe Kahlon and female representation are among the most high-profile victims after Israel's political parties finalized their slates
Analysis Israeli Right's Idea of Democracy Doesn't Include the Rule of Law
Netanyahu and his ministers bully the court, threatening it whenever it has to rule against the government on an issue it cares about
Voter Fatigue? This 18-year-old Israeli Will Be Voting for the Fifth Time in March
Thanks to a fluke of circumstances (and Benjamin Netanyahu), Aviv Barkan is already fully acquainted with exercising her democratic right at the ballot box
Knesset Speaker, in the Eye of Netanyahu's Immunity Storm, Under Pressure From Lawmakers
Right-wing leaders urge Likud's Edelstein to stall proceedings while Gantz's party wants a vote as soon as possible, as timeline becomes major issue in complex political and legal entanglement
Senior Israeli Journalist Forced to Retract Claim Arab Party Is 'Terrorist Group'
Channel 12's political analyst Amit Segal will issue statement on Twitter and on television, and send a letter to Balad party leader
Knesset Advances Creation of Panel to Decide on Netanyahu’s Immunity
Setting up of committee still needs full Knesset approval
Knesset Committee to Discuss Netanyahu's Immunity Can Convene, Legal Adviser Says
Eyal Yinon says that even though the Knesset itself is not in session, it can discuss Netanyahu's request for immunity in three criminal cases as soon as possible
Benny Gantz's Year in Politics: Netanyahu's Complete Opposite Inches Closer to PM Seat
Gantz almost quit after the Iranians hacked his phone – but quickly learned to navigate Israeli politics
From 'Witch Hunt' to Immunity Bid: Netanyahu's Evolving Narrative of Corruption Charges
Netanyahu’s immunity bid request and his climatic Wednesday night address cap a public campaign against Israel’s law enforcement, which began with the start of his investigations in late 2016. This is how Netanyahu’s narrative changed, evolved and grew more extreme since then
Netanyahu Claims to Seek 'Temporary Immunity,' but His Request Says Otherwise
In addition to asking for procedural immunity, which expires at the end of a Knesset's term, on some charges against him, the prime minister is seeking lifetime immunity
Netanyahu Requests Immunity From Prosecution in Three Criminal Cases
Gantz: 'Netanyahu knows he's guilty' ■ Lieberman vows not to let PM get immunity ■ Legal proceedings blocked due to political stalemate
Analysis Endless Elections Have Put Government in Hibernation
Data show how cabinet and Knesset activity has slowed to almost nothing since election first called a year ago
Former Lawmaker Geulah Cohen, the ‘First Lady of the Right,’ Dies at 94
Cohen fought in the pre-state Lehi underground militia and and dedicated much of her life to the settlement project and the greater Land of Israel
Right-wing Zehut Party Won't Run in Israel's Third Election
Zehut, identified with rebuilding the Temple, legalization of marijuana and free capitalist economy, will run again 'when Israeli society is ripe for change,' said Feiglin
Third Israeli Election Expected in March 2020 if Knesset Dissolves
Parties in disagreement over when exactly to send Israelis to the polls again, on a Memorial Day, Purim or anniversary of Hasidic figure's death
Ireland Announces Funding of 8.8m for Construction of Solar Plant in Gaza
Statement released by Prime Minister’s office states that the pair discussed 'regional issues and threats to the State of Israel, especially the Iranian threat'
Opinion If New Elections Are the Only Way of Pushing Netanyahu Out, So Be It
A damning criminal indictment paints the prime minister’s concocted 'Prosecutors Plot' as heir to Stalin’s infamous 'Doctors Plot'
Explained With Nine Days Left to Form a Government, Can Israelis Be Spared a Third Election?
Any Knesset member has until December 11 to gather 61 signatures and get a chance at forming a government, but the president wants to prevent a reality show atmosphere
Despite Grand Promises to Fight Domestic Violence, Israel Massively Underfunds Major Program
Governmental scheme delayed by another two years, data obtained by Haaretz shows
Netanyahu Loyalist's Push to Reduce Election Campaign to 45 Days 'Unreasonable'
Election board harshly criticizes lawmaker's initiative, as Israel inches closer to a third vote in one year
Netanyahu Should Quit, Says PM's Top Likud Challenger Gideon Sa'ar
Likud lawmaker says he believes he could form a government in the current Knesset, following Netanyahu's two failed attempts
'We Are Facing Dark Times': Rivlin Returns Mandate to Form Gov't to Knesset
After both Gantz and Netanyahu failed to form a coalition, any Knesset member backed by 61 lawmakers could be tasked with forming coalition, with lawmakers having 21 days to nominate a candidate
Netanyahu Mulling Direct Election for PM if Coalition Talks Fail, Likud Lawmaker Says
Party whip says that if no coalition is formed, Likud will demand that voters choose between the prime minister and Benny Gantz, but party quickly backtracks
Bennett Says He Rejected Netanyahu Offer of Ministerial Post in Transitional Government
The Hayamin Hehadash chair, who Netanyahu fired ahead of September's election, says he was also proposed a spot on the security cabinet
