Assembly of Representatives (Mandatory Palestine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Assembly of Representativesאספת הנבחרים Asefat HaNivharim |
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Flag of Zion
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| History | |
| Founded | 19 April 1920 |
| Disbanded | 13 February 1949 |
| Succeeded by | Knesset |
| Elections | |
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Last election
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2 August 1944 |
| Meeting place | |
| Jerusalem | |
The Assembly of Representatives (Hebrew: אספת הנבחרים, Asefat HaNivharim) was like a parliament for the Jewish community living in Mandatory Palestine. It was an elected group of people who represented the Jewish population.
This assembly started on April 19, 1920. It worked until February 13, 1949. This was just one day before the Knesset, which is Israel's modern parliament, began its first session. The Knesset was elected on January 25, 1949.
The Assembly of Representatives met once a year. Its main job was to choose an executive body called the Jewish National Council. This council was in charge of important things like education, local government, welfare, and even security for the Jewish community. The Assembly also voted on budgets proposed by the Jewish National Council and the Rabbinical Council.
History of the Assembly
Under the British Mandate, which was when Britain governed Palestine, the Yishuv (the Jewish community) set up its own political groups. The Assembly of Representatives was one of these important groups.
To make sure that smaller groups also had a voice, they used a system called proportional representation. This means that if a group got a certain percentage of votes, they would get a similar percentage of seats in the Assembly.
The first elections for the Assembly were held on April 19, 1920. Even the largest group, Ahdut HaAvoda, only won 70 out of 314 seats. Some groups, like the ultra-orthodox community and the Agudat Yisrael party, did not take part in these elections. They disagreed with the idea of a secular (non-religious) Jewish state.
The second elections took place in 1925. Later, in 1926, a new law called the Religious Communities Organisation Ordinance was passed. Because of this, the British authorities officially recognized the Assembly in 1928.
More elections were held in 1931 and 1944. In the 1944 elections, some groups, especially Sephardic Jews, chose not to participate. This meant they were not represented in the Assembly. Also, from 1944 onwards, another group called Hatzohar stopped participating. They had disagreements with the elected leaders about how things should be run.
Assembly Elections
The Assembly of Representatives held several elections during its time:
- April 19, 1920
- December 6, 1925
- January 5, 1931
- August 2, 1944
