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Democracy in Israel
Democracy in Israel
Washington, D.C.
Israel is a parliamentary democracy with members. A bill becomes a law after it has
three branches of government – the execu- passed three readings and a vote in the Knes-
tive, legislative, and judicial. The three set plenum.
branches of government create a separa-
tion of powers, in which one branch has the The Executive branch of government is
power and ability to check the power of headed by the Prime Minister, who serves as
another branch. the head of the government. He or she serves
as the head of the government coalition. It is
Israel’s legislative branch is the Knesset, a the Prime Minister’s responsibility to assemble
reference to the Knesset Ha-Gedolah (Great a cabinet of ministers charged with executing
The Knesset, Israel’s Parliament Assembly), the legislative body established the duties of government.
by Ezra the Scribe in 70 CE. Like its ancient
precursor, the Knesset has 120 members, all
of whom are voted into office by the
electorate. In order to gain representation
in the Knesset, a party must receive at least
2% of the votes cast by the voters. Any
Israeli citizen who reaches the age of 18 is
entitled to vote.
www.israelemb.org
The Judicial branch of the government is In 1949, Israel enacted a series of Basic Laws that
composed of three levels of courts: the Supreme practically serves as a national constitution.
Court, district courts and magistrate courts. Israel’s Basic Laws include chapters on all
Additionally, various types of tribunals take place branches of government as well as on the basic
in independent judicial systems, among them, human right to liberty, dignity, and freedom of
the military, labor and religious courts. livelihood.
Following the signing of the Declaration, a Eleven minutes after the Declaration, the
13-member Provisional Government and a United States formally recognized Israel.
Provisional Council of 37 members were .
established. With the departure of the British
Mandatory forces, they became the provi-
sional government and legislature of the
state.