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.

IDF, Defense Ministry drafting resolution to protect reservists and families' benefits through 2027

Alongside the government resolution, the IDF and Defense Ministry are advancing legislation in the Knesset, which they hope to expedite after the elections, during the Knesset's first session.

OCTOBER 23, 2026|ByAMIR BOHBOT

IDF soldiers in a swearing in ceremony. February 27, 2025.

Knesset candidate Naftali Bennett's urge to bridge between religious and secular Israelis, and the right-wing Bennett's resolve to prevent Jewish terrorists' tinkering with civil war, are among the reasons the writer thinks he appeals as a potential prime minister.

Middle Israel: Why Naftali Bennett should be Israel's next prime minister - opinion

Democratic election is about performance, but next Tuesday’s is about what happened once we faced war: how good, bad, or scandalous our leaders’ handling of the war’s home front challenges has been.

OCTOBER 23, 2026|ByAMOTZ ASA-EL

‘Politicians should leave room for compromise before the election, rather than making absolute promises they may have to abandon afterward for the good of the country.’ Will the challenge of building Israel’s next coalition government fall to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu or Gadi Eisenkot?

Israel’s election is being cast as a historic showdown - but four trends tell a different story

POLITICAL AFFAIRS: From rivalries within political blocs to polls that shape voter choices and coalition red lines, four trends reveal the challenges facing Israel’s next government.

OCTOBER 23, 2026|ByHERB KEINON

Over 65,000 Israelis abroad estimated to travel to vote in 2026 elections, new Fly&Vote survey says

The results of the survey mark a clear jump from the previous estimate of 53,000 published at the start of October.

OCTOBER 23, 2026|ByANNA BARSKY, JERUSALEM POST STAFF

Protecting Arab citizens’ right to vote and be elected is an Israeli interest - opinion

Protecting Arab citizens’ right to vote and be elected is essential to preserving Israel’s democracy ahead of the election.

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.

WATCH: 'Don't mess with us': Netanyahu warns enemies may attack Israel ahead of election

A meeting between Lapid and Netanyahu is set for Tuesday evening following the PMO's rejection of Lapid's initial request for an urgent briefing.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2026ByAARON GLICK

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

MK Busso criticizes haredi draft march, says Shas, Likud will continue collaboration after election

"These are the same people who also march against the haredi parties. Against me and against each and every one of us."

SEPTEMBER 29, 2026By103FM

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

Israel's electoral system leaves voters with no representative to call their own - opinion

Israel’s proportional representation system lacks a constituency-based element, leaving voters with little direct connection to their elected representatives

SEPTEMBER 28, 2026ByNEVILLE TELLER

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

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Yashar party unveils plan for young adults with rent caps and military pay raises in campaign push

Among the key points of the plan laid out by the Yashar party was to increase the salaries of soldiers by 15%, along with a 50% increase for combat soldiers in their third year of service.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2026ByKESHET NEEV

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.

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

Itzik Bonzel, a bereaved father placed 29th on the Likud slate by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, later apologized, saying he wrote the comment in a “storm of emotions” and “did not mean” it.

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

Election economics: Israel’s government must not buy voters’ support - editorial

As Israel enters the final month before the election, officials must resist vote-buying through public spending, while critics should not label every government decision electioneering.

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

The case for Israel to subsidize menstrual products - opinion

Israel, despite having a semi-socialist medical system, not only keeps the tax but, in a way, increases it. Shelf prices are massively inflated compared to other countries.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2026ByRACHEL GOLDA BERNSTEIN

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

Yair Golan wants Arab representation in next gov't as Knesset polls show wide disparities

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

SEPTEMBER 27, 2026ByJERUSALEM POST PODCASTS