The Knesset is Israel’s unicameral parliament and legislature, located in the capital, Yerushalayim.
Its primary function is to enact and revise laws as needed. Additional responsibilities include forming a government, making policy decisions, overseeing government activities, and electing the President of the State and the State Comptroller.
The Speaker of the Knesset serves as the presiding officer and maintains authority within the parliamentary chambers.
Basic History
The Knesset derives its name and its fixed membership of 120 from the Anshei K’neses HaG’dolah (the Men of the Great Assembly), the representative Jewish council convened in Jerusalem by Ezra and Nechemiah in the fifth century BCE.
The modern Israeli Knesset first convened on February 14, 1949, following elections held in January of that year. This inaugural session succeeded the provisional government, which had served as the Jewish community’s parliament during the British Mandate era and in the State’s earliest months.
In his opening address to the new parliament members, Israeli President Chaim Weizmann stated that the aim of the Jewish State would be, above all else, “to gather in the exiles from all parts of the world.” He emphasized that this was a momentous day not only in the lives of the Jewish people but also in the history of the world.
To commemorate the occasion, a procession of schoolchildren carrying Israeli flags and large bouquets marched through the main streets of Jerusalem. The procession halted in front of the Jewish Agency building, where Weizmann, Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, members of the first Cabinet, newly elected Knesset members, and guests participated in a solemn ceremony honoring Israel Defense Forces soldiers who had fallen in battle to establish the State.
Before moving to its permanent home in the Givat Ram neighborhood of Jerusalem, the Knesset convened in several temporary locations: the Jewish Agency building in Jerusalem, the Kessem Cinema in Tel Aviv, and the Froumine building in Jerusalem. The current building, designed by Polish-born architect Ossip Klarwein (exterior) with interior by Dora Gad, was dedicated on August 30, 1966, in a ceremony attended by heads of 44 parliaments and approximately 6,000 Israelis.
Members of Knesset (MKs) are elected every four years through a proportional representation system, in which parties compete for the electorate’s votes.
Each party selects its own candidates according to its internal procedures. A new Knesset convenes following general elections, which determine its composition.
In the first session after elections, Knesset members pledge allegiance to the State of Israel, and the Knesset Speaker and deputy speakers are elected. The Knesset typically serves a four-year term but may dissolve itself earlier or be dissolved by the prime minister. Until a new Knesset is formally constituted, the outgoing Knesset retains full authority.
