Knesset

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Image:Knesset in Jerusalem Israel.jpg
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Though similar-sounding, Beit Knesset (בית כנסת) literally means "House of Assembly," and refers to a synagogue.

The Knesset (כנסת, Hebrew for "assembly") is the Parliament of Israel. It is located in Jerusalem.

The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset enacts laws, elects the prime minister (although he is ceremonially appointed by the President), supervises the work of the government, reserves the power to remove the President of the State and the State Comptroller from office and to dissolve itself and call new elections.

The Knesset first convened on February 14, 1949. Every 4 years (or less if early elections are held, as is often the case), 120 members of the Knesset (MK) are elected by Israeli citizens who must be 18 years old to vote. The Government of Israel must be approved by a majority vote of the Knesset.

By majority vote the Knesset can pass acts that do not conflict with the Basic Laws, the de facto constitution. Several Basic Laws need special majority of at least 61 MKs, and in some cases 80 MKs, to be amended.

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Latest election

Template:Main Template:Israel legislative election, 2006

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Knesset location and building

The current Knesset building is located on a hilltop in the west of Jerusalem, it was paid for by James A. de Rothschild as a gift to the State of Israel. Before the 1948 Arab-Israeli War there was an Arab settlement called Sheikh Badr on the site. The Knesset has had several locations:

  1. February 14, 1949: First meeting of the Constituent Assembly, Jewish Agency building, Jerusalem.
  2. March 8, 1949-December 14, 1949: Sittings held in the Kessem Cinema in Tel Aviv.
  3. December 26, 1949-March 8, 1950: Reconvenes in the Jewish Agency building, Jerusalem.
  4. March 13, 1950: Temporary location at "Froumine Building", King George Street, Jerusalem.
  5. 1957: James A. de Rothschild advises Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion that he will donate the funds for the permanent Knesset building.
  6. October 14, 1958: Laying of the cornerstone for new Knesset building.
  7. August 31, 1966: Dedication of the new building during the sixth Knesset.
  8. 1981: New wing built, opened in 1992.
  9. 2005: Additional wing presently being built.

The Knesset building is built on land leased from the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem.Template:Fact

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The Knesset Assemblies

The Knesset term (the condition of the Knesset between two general elections for parliament) is called "Assembly". For example: the first term of the Knesset from 1949 to 1951 was called "The 1st assembly" הכנסת הראשונה. The current assembly is the 16th Assembly ( הכנסת ה 16, ha-Knesset ha-Shesh-Esre).

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Composition of the 1st Knesset (elected 1949)

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Composition of the 2nd Knesset (elected 1951)

*Mapam and Ahdut Ha'avodah-Po'alei Zion split in the course of the term, but the Knesset Parliamentary Group remained united.

**Minority lists associated with Mapai

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Composition of the 3rd Knesset (elected 1955)

  • Mapai 40
  • Herut Movement 15
  • General Zionists 13
  • United Religious Front 11
  • Ahdut Ha'avodah 10
  • Mapam 9
  • Religious Torah Front 6
  • Maki 6
  • Progressive Party 5
  • Democratic list of Israeli Arabs* 2
  • Kidmah Va'avodah* 2
  • Hakla`ut Ufituah* 1

*Minority lists associated with Mapai

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Composition of the 4th Knesset (elected 1959)

*Minority lists associated with Mapai

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Composition of the 5th Knesset (elected 1961)

*Minority lists associated with Mapai

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Composition of the 6th Knesset (elected 1965)

*Minority lists associated with Mapai

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Composition of the 7th Knesset (elected 1969)

*Minority lists associated with Mapai

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Composition of the 8th Knesset (elected 1973)

*Minority lists associated with Mapai

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Composition of the 9th Knesset (elected 1977)

*Minority lists associated with Mapai

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Composition of the 10th Knesset (elected 1981)

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Composition of the 11th Knesset (elected 1984)

* no connection with the Yachad party formed in 2004.

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Composition of the 12th Knesset (elected 1988)

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Composition of the 13th Knesset (elected 1992)

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Composition of the 14th Knesset (elected 1996)

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Composition of the 15th Knesset (elected 1999)

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Composition of the 16th Knesset (elected 2003)

Template:Israeli legislative election, 2003 In November 2005, Amir Peretz was elected as leader of the Labour Party and Prime Minister Ariel Sharon established the centrist Kadima Party, which quickly drew support from moderate MKs across the Knesset. These events resulted in drastic upheaval in the composition of the Knesset, which, as of January 2006, consists of:

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Composition of the 17th Knesset (elected 2006)

*The National Union and National Religious parties submitted a single list for this election, and may be considered one party.

**In similar fashion, Agudat Israel and Degel HaTorah submitted a single list under the banner of United Torah Judaism.

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See also

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External links

ast:Kneset bs:Kneset da:Knesset de:Knesset eo:Kneset es:Knéset et:Knesset fr:Knesset he:הכנסת hr:Kneset id:Knesset it:Knesset ja:クネセト nl:Knesset no:Knesset pl:Kneset pt:Knesset ru:Кнессет sh:Kneset sl:Kneset sr:Кнесет fi:Knesset sv:Knesset tr:Knesset

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