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.

Ben-Gvir surges in polls as election campaign exposes deep divisions in Israel

The contrasting reactions to Ben-Gvir's campaign visit to Ramla offered a glimpse into Israel's deeply polarized society as his far-right Otzma Yehudit party surges in the polls.

OCTOBER 17, 2026|ByRUTH EGLASH/JTA

Election billboards for Otzma Yehudit party and its party head Itamar Ben Gvir, in Ramat Gan. October 04, 2026.

Israel Elections: A polling station in Jerusalem, as Israelis vote in their general elections, on March 23, 2021.

People of Israel, Reservists-Economic Party could be deciders of election result, pollster says

Speaking on 103FM, Lazar analyzed the latest election polls and outlined the factors he believes could determine the outcome of the vote.

OCTOBER 16, 2026|By103FM

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

Israel cannot afford another election: Why Netanyahu, Eisenkot must consider unity - opinion

Hopefully, October 27 will produce a clear winner. If it does not, Israel’s political leaders will have to decide whether their refusal to sit together matters more than the country.

OCTOBER 16, 2026|ByYAAKOV KATZ

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

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, 2026|ByKESHET NEEV

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.