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Israel
The Knesset
The Knesset is a unicameral
parliament and the supreme authority of the state. Its 120 members
are elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term under a
system of proportional representation. Basic Law: the Knesset
provides for "general countryside, direct, equal, secret, and
proportional" elections. This provision means that if, for example,
in a national election a given party list received approximately
36,000 votes, it would be entitled to two seats in the Knesset.
As a result, the top two names on the party's list would obtain
Knesset seats. The legislative authority of the Knesset is unlimited,
and legislative enactments cannot be vetoed by either the president
or the prime minister nor can such enactments be nullified by
the Supreme Court. The regular four-year term of the Knesset can
be terminated only by the Knesset, which can then call for a new
general election before its term expires.
The Knesset also has broad power of direction and supervision
over government operations. It approves budgets, monitors government
performance by questioning cabinet ministers, provides a public
forum for debate of important issues, conducts wide-ranging legislative
inquiries, and can topple the cabinet through a vote of no confidence
that takes precedence over all other parliamentary business. The
Knesset works through eleven permanent legislative committees,
including the House Committee, which handles parliamentary rules
and procedures, and the Law and Justice Committee, usually referred
to as "Law." The jurisdictions of the remaining committees are
the constitution, finance, foreign affairs and security, immigration
and absorption, economics, education and culture, internal affairs
and environment, labor and welfare, and state control. Committee
assignments are made by the Arrangements Committee, a committee
consisting of representatives of the various parties established
at the beginning of each Knesset session, enabling each party
to determine for itself where it wants its stronger delegates
placed. Committee assignments are for the duration of the Knesset's
tenure. Committee chairmen are formally elected at the first meeting
of each respective committee upon the nomination of the House
Committee. As a rule, however, the chairmanship of important committees
is reserved for members of the ruling coalition. If a member resigns
from his or her party, the place on the committee reverts to the
party, even if the member remains in the Knesset.
Among the first tasks of a new Knesset is to assign members to
the various standing committees and to elect a speaker, his or
her deputies, and the chairmen of committees. The speaker is assisted
by a presidium of several deputies chosen by the Knesset from
the major parties. At a minimum, the Knesset is required to hold
two sessions a year and to sit not fewer than eight months during
the two sessions. The Knesset meets weekly to consider items on
its agenda, but not on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays in deference
to its Muslim, Jewish, and Christian members. Agendas are set
by the speaker to permit the questioning of ministers and the
consideration of proposals from the government or motions from
members. Time allocations to individual members and parties are
made in advance by the speaker so as to preclude filibusters or
cloture. Other than national emergencies, budgetary issues have
usually been the most important items dealt with by the Knesset
at any of its session.
Following the British pattern, legislation is generally introduced
by the cabinet; to a lesser extent it is initiated by various
Knesset committees; and in limited cases, private bills are initiated
by individual Knesset members. Bills are drafted by the ministries
concerned in consultation with the Ministry of Justice. By majority
vote of the cabinet, draft bills are sent to the speaker of the
Knesset for legislative action. Proposed bills are considered
by appropriate committees and go through three readings before
being voted on by the Knesset after the third reading. Any number
of Knesset members present constitutes a quorum, and a simple
majority of those present is required for passage. Exceptions
to this rule apply in the election or removal of the president
of the state, removal of the state comptroller, changes to the
system of proportional elections, and changes to or repeal of
Basic Laws; in these instances, required majorities are specified
by law.
Apart from the Knesset, which is the principal source of legislation,
such public institutions as ministries, local authorities, and
independent bodies can frame rules and regulations or subsidiary
legislation on a wide range of matters. Subsidiary legislation
has the effect of law, but it can be declared invalid by the courts
when it contravenes any enactment of the Knesset.
Knesset members are granted extensive legal immunity and privileges.
Their special legal status, which many observers regard as excessive,
ranges from parliamentary immunity to protection from criminal
proceedings for the entire period of Knesset membership. Immunity
extends to acts committed before becoming a Knesset member, although
such immunity can be removed by the Knesset upon the recommendation
of the House Committee. Knesset members are also exempt from compulsory
military service. The official language of the Knesset is Hebrew,
but Arab members may address the legislature in Arabic, with simultaneous
translation provided.
Data as of December 1988
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