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.

Choosing conviction over party lines, Dan Illouz leaves Likud in bid to shape Israel’s future

In Jerusalem spoke with Illouz during a brief lull in his busy schedule to hear a bit about his life, principles, and the issues in this election.

OCTOBER 24, 2026|ByAARON REICH

Election campaign billboards featuring Gadi Eisenkot's Yashar party and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party are displayed along a roadside in the northern Israeli city of Haifa, October 17, 2026

Large share of Israelis prefer holding new elections if no coalition formed, IDI survey shows

Across demographics, Israelis are approaching October 27 with cautious optimism, according to a recent survey conducted by the Israel Democracy Institute.

OCTOBER 24, 2026|ByGOLDIE KATZ

BALLOT PAPERS of various political parties displayed at the Central Elections Committee warehouse in Shoham, Oct. 14.

Beyond the polls: What are Israelis really thinking as they head to the ballot box?

Each new poll produces a headline that often disagrees with other outlets. Israelis follow polls like a tennis match, their heads swiveling from side to side, following the ball in play.

OCTOBER 23, 2026|ByJUDITH SEGALOFF

Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett are seen at a B'Yachad event.

Yair Lapid: The upcoming election is about what we want Israel to be - opinion

This is not a choice between Right and Left, or between religious and secular Israelis. This is a choice between those who carry this country on their backs and those who hitch a free ride.

OCTOBER 23, 2026|ByYAIR LAPID

Abu Shehadeh withdraws after Supreme Court signals disqualification

Otzma Yehudit and its chairman, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, brought the application against Abu Shehadeh, and all nine Supreme Court justices recommended that the candidate withdraw.

OCTOBER 2, 2026BySARAH BEN-NUN

Balad chairman and Joint List member Sami Abu Shehadeh arrives at the Supreme Court in Jerusalem for a hearing on the Central Elections Committee’s decision to disqualify him from running in the upcoming Knesset elections, October 1, 2026.

Israel needs a thin constitution to bridge its political divide - opinion

Israel’s opposition has put a constitution on the agenda, but a broad consensus may require a narrower approach focused on government institutions.

OCTOBER 2, 2026ByYEDIDIA STERN

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, flanked by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Justice Minister Yariv Levin, in the Knesset on the day of the vote on the reasonableness law, July 24.

Vote your conscience: Five reasons why Israelis should forget the electoral threshold - opinion

With a few weeks left before we go to the ballot box on October 27, I want to make the opposite case: vote for the party you actually believe in, and let the electoral threshold take care of itself.

OCTOBER 2, 2026ByRAPHAEL POCH

An illustration of an Israeli voting at the ballot box.

Gaps narrow between coalition, opposition blocs as security is spotlighted in public agenda - poll

According to the poll, the coalition bloc gained two seats this week, rising to 51, while the Zionist opposition bloc fell by two seats to 53.

OCTOBER 2, 2026ByMOSHE COHEN

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.

Premium

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