Knesset facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Knesset הכנסת‎ الكنيست‎
25th Knesset
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
Speaker	Amir Ohana, Likud Since 29 December 2022
Prime Minister	Benjamin Netanyahu, Likud Since 29 December 2022
Leader of the Opposition	Yair Lapid, Yesh Atid Since 2 January 2023
Structure
Seats	120
Political groups	Government (60)      Likud (32)      Shas (11)      Mafdal–Religious Zionism (7)      Otzma Yehudit (6)      New Hope (4) Opposition (60)      Yesh Atid (24)      Blue & White National Unity (8)      United Torah Judaism (7)      Agudat Yisrael (4)      Degel HaTorah (3)      Yisrael Beiteinu (6)      Ra'am (5)      Hadash–Ta'al (5)      Hadash (3)      Maki (2)      Independent (1)      Ta'al (2)      Labor (4)      Noam (1)
Elections
Voting system	Closed list proportional representation D'Hondt method with a 3.25% electoral threshold
Last election	1 November 2022
Next election	On or before 27 October 2026
Meeting place
Knesset building, Givat Ram, Jerusalem

Political system of Israel

The Knesset (pronounced Ha-KNEH-set) is like the parliament or main law-making body of Israel. The word "Knesset" means "gathering" or "assembly" in Hebrew. It's a special kind of parliament because it has only one main group of members.

The Knesset has many important jobs. Its members create and pass all the laws for Israel. They also choose the country's President and Prime Minister. The Knesset approves the government's team, called the Cabinet, and makes sure the government is doing its job well. It can even decide to hold new elections if needed. The Knesset meets in a special building in Givat Ram, a part of Jerusalem. People from all over Israel vote to choose the 120 members of the Knesset.

The Name of the Knesset

The name "Knesset" comes from an old Jewish assembly called the "Great Assembly". This ancient group had 120 wise people and prophets. Today's Knesset also has 120 members, but it's a modern, elected body. A male member of the Knesset is called a Haver HaKnesset. A female member is a Havrat HaKnesset.

A Brief History of the Knesset

The Knesset first met on February 14, 1949, in Jerusalem. It took over from earlier groups that helped govern Israel. Before its current home, the Knesset met in Tel Aviv. Later, it moved to the Froumine building in Jerusalem.

The main Knesset building, where it is today, is on a hill in western Jerusalem. A generous gift from James de Rothschild helped build it. It was finished in 1966. Over the years, more parts were added to the building. These additions were designed not to change the look of the original structure. Sometimes, governments in Israel have faced votes where members show if they still support the government. If a government loses this vote, it might have to resign or new elections could be called.

Knesset Timeline: Key Dates

The Knesset in winter

• 14 February 1949: The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly in Jerusalem.
• 16 February 1949: The name "Knesset" was approved. The number of members was set at 120. The Knesset started meeting in Tel Aviv.
• 26 December 1949 – 8 March 1950: The Knesset moved to Jerusalem. It first met at the Jewish Agency building.
• 13 March 1950: The Knesset moved to the Froumine House on King George Street in Jerusalem.
• 1950–1955: Plans were made for a permanent Knesset building.
• 1957: James de Rothschild offered to pay for the new building.
• 14 October 1958: The first stone was laid for the new Knesset building.
• 30 August 1966: The new building was officially opened.
• 1981: Construction began on a new section of the building.
• 1992: The new section opened.
• 2001: Construction started on a large new wing. This wing almost doubled the size of the Knesset area.
• 2007: The large new wing opened.

Historic engraving on the Froumine House, King George St., Jerusalem

How the Knesset Governs Israel

The Knesset is the part of the Israeli government that makes laws. It creates all the country's laws. It also chooses the President and approves the government's team, called the Cabinet. The Knesset watches over the government's work using special groups called committees. It can also remove its own members' special protections if needed. The Knesset can even decide to end its own term and call for new elections.

The laws that guide how the Knesset works are called "Basic Laws." These are very important laws for Israel. The main leader of the Knesset is called the Speaker. There are also Deputy Speakers who help lead the meetings.

Knesset Committees: Working Together

The Knesset has many special groups called committees. These committees help change and improve new laws. Each committee focuses on a different topic, like money, education, or health. Members of the Knesset join these committees. They also choose leaders for each committee. Committees can ask government ministers and experts for information to help them make good decisions.

There are different kinds of committees. Some are permanent, meaning they work all the time on specific topics. Others are special committees created for certain issues. There's also an Ethics Committee. It makes sure that Knesset members follow the rules of good behavior. If a member breaks these rules, the Ethics Committee can take action. However, it cannot stop a member from voting. Another important group is the Arrangements Committee. It helps decide how the other committees are set up after each election.

Permanent Committees

• House Committee
• Finance Committee
• Economic Affairs Committee
• Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee
• Interior and Environment Committee
• Immigration, Absorption, and Diaspora Affairs Committee
• Education, Culture, and Sports Committee
• Constitution, Law and Justice Committee
• Labor, Welfare and Health Committee
• Science and Technology Committee
• State Control Committee
• Committee on the Status of Women

Special Committees

• Committee on Drug Abuse
• Committee on the Rights of the Child
• Committee on Foreign Workers
• Central Elections Committee
• Public Petitions Committee

Knesset Caucuses: Groups with Shared Interests

Knesset members often join formal or informal groups. These groups are called "lobbies" or "caucuses". They work together to support a particular topic or cause. There are hundreds of such caucuses in the Knesset. Examples include the Knesset Christian Allies Caucus and the Knesset Land of Israel Caucus.

Knesset Membership: Who are the Members?

Knesset building (2007)

The Knesset and its surroundings (2022)

The Knesset has 120 members. This number is based on the ancient Great Assembly. Sometimes, a Knesset member becomes a government minister. Under a rule called the "Norwegian Law," they can resign their seat. This allows the next person on their party's list to take their place. If they stop being a minister, they can return to the Knesset.

Knesset Elections: How Members are Chosen

Every four years, or sometimes sooner, people in Israel vote for the 120 members of the Knesset. Anyone 18 years or older can vote in these elections. The voting is secret. The seats in the Knesset are given to different political parties based on how many votes they get. This system is called proportional representation. A party needs to get at least 3.25% of all the votes to win any seats. People vote for a party, not for individual candidates.

Because many parties usually win seats, no single party has ever won enough seats to have a majority on its own. This means that different parties often have to work together to form a government. These are called coalition governments. After an election, the President talks to the leaders of all the parties. The President then chooses the party leader who seems most likely to get enough support to form a government. This person then has time to build a team and must get the Knesset's approval before becoming Prime Minister.

List of Knesset Elections

Current Knesset Members

The table below shows the political groups in the 25th Knesset.

Knesset Assemblies: Numbered Sessions

Each time a new Knesset is elected, it gets a number. For example, the first Knesset was elected in 1949. The current Knesset, elected in 2022, is the Twenty-fifth Knesset.

Visiting the Knesset

The Knesset offers morning tours in several languages. These include Hebrew, Arabic, English, French, Spanish, German, and Russian. Tours are available on Sundays and Thursdays. You can also watch live sessions on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday mornings.

Knesset Security: The Knesset Guard

A member of the Knesset Guard

The Knesset building and its members are protected by the Knesset Guard. This is a special security unit. Guards stand outside the building to provide armed protection. Ushers work inside to keep order. The Knesset Guard also takes part in important national ceremonies. This includes greeting special guests on Mount Herzl during Israeli Independence Day.

See also

In Spanish: Knéset para niños

• Great Assembly
• Elections in Israel
• Politics of Israel
• Knesset Guard
• Knesset Legal Adviser
• List of Arab members of the Knesset
• Lists of Knesset members
• List of Knesset speakers
• List of legislatures by country