Democracy Israeli Style
Knesset

Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. National security issues such as the existence of a Palestinian state, the status of the settlements in Judea and Samaria (the West Bank), and the final status of Jerusalem are hotly debated in the Knesset (Israel's parliament). To understand Israeli policy, it helps to be aware of the political landscape that influences the government's decisions.

THE ABC'S OF POLITICS IN ISRAEL

A. The political system in Israel is very different from our system in the United States. The Knesset is the only legislative body in Israel. It is a cross between the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Every four years, and sometimes more frequently, the citizens of Israel elect new members to the Knesset.

B. Individual candidates do not run for election to the Knesset. Instead, Israelis vote for a political party that best represents their views. Unlike the United States, which has only two major national political parties- Democrat and Republican- Israel has more than 30 political parties.

C. Israel's electoral system is proportional. That means that each political party receives seats in the Knesset in direct proportion to the number of votes it wins in the election. For example, if a party gets 15% of the vote, it will receive 15% of the 120 seats in the Knesset. Political parties must receive at least 1.5% of the total vote to be included in the Knesset.

GOVERNING MEANS COMPROMISE

No political party has ever won a clear majority (61 seats) in the Knesset. The prime minister is chosen by direct election and then must negotiate with rival political parties to create a majority coalition- an alliance of different parties that join together to govern.

Coalition building gives the smaller parties a great deal of power and influence. The smaller partners often demand that their views be adopted as the price for supporting the prime minister's policies. As "swing votes" in the government, the minority parties can quit the coalition at any time, causing the government to fall. When that happens, new elections are called.

WHO HOLDS THE POWER IN ISRAEL TODAY?

Bibi Netanyahu, leader of the Likud Party, is the current prime minister

In the Knesset today,  Likud is the largest party(31 seats), followed by Yesh Atid(19 seats) and the Labor Party 15 seats).

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