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Israel
GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS
Government: Republic and parliamentary democracy
headed by president, titular head of state. Executive power wielded
by prime minister and cabinet ministers representing dominant
political blocs in Knesset, to which they are collectively responsible.
Knesset is unicameral parliament of 120 members elected at-large
every four years as a rule by direct secret ballot and under system
of proportional representation; voting for party lists rather
than individual candidates. Electoral system remains object of
political reform. Government system based on no comprehensive
written constitution but nine Basic Laws enacted by Knesset. Efforts
to introduce constitution delineating principle of separation
of powers and establishing supremacy of civil law and secular
bill of rights have so far met resistance. Judiciary independent
and comprises secular, religious, and military courts. Integrity
and performance of governmental system checked by independent
and influential ombudsman, Office of the State Comptroller.
Politics: Multiparty system divided into four
main categories: left-of-center parties, right-of-center parties,
rightwing religious parties, and Arab parties. Inconclusive twelfth
Knesset election held in November 1988 repeated pattern of 1984
Knesset elections with neither major party able to form cohesive
coalition government without other's equal participation. This
resulted in formation of National Unity Government. Long-term
electoral trends, however, indicated upswing in support for rightof
-center parties.
Administrative Divisions: Divided into six administrative
districts and fourteen subdistricts under ultimate jurisdiction
of Ministry of Interior. Occupied territories of West Bank and
Gaza Strip and annexed Golan Heights administered by Israel Defense
Forces.
Foreign Affairs: Foreign policy chiefly influenced
by Israel's strategic situation, Palestinian-Israeli conflict,
and rejection of Israel by most Arab states. Diplomatic relations
established with Egypt following 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty,
and Israel maintained de facto peaceful relationship with Jordan.
General consensus in Israel over terms of 1978 Camp David Accords,
but disagreement over principle of exchanging land for peace,
particularly over West Bank, and direct negotiations with Palestine
Liberation Organization.
Data as of December 1988
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