Foreign Affairs and Security Committee
The Knesset's most prestigious and influential statutory committee, responsible for oversight of Israel's defense establishment, foreign policy, and intelligence services.
The Foreign Affairs and Security Committee (FADC) is the primary parliamentary body tasked with supervising the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Israel's intelligence agencies, including the Mossad and Shin Bet. Due to the sensitive nature of its work, much of its activity occurs within subcommittees behind closed doors, where members receive classified briefings on national security and strategic threats. The committee plays a critical role in legislating defense-related matters, approving emergency regulations, and reviewing the defense budget.
In the current political landscape, the committee has become a central arena for the debate over military service and national equality. It is responsible for drafting and refining legislation regarding the conscription of Charedi (ultra-Orthodox) citizens, a process that involves balancing security needs with complex social and coalition dynamics. The committee's legal advisors and professional staff provide essential oversight, often flagging constitutional or procedural issues in proposed security legislation. Beyond domestic policy, the committee monitors Israel's international standing and diplomatic relations, ensuring that the executive branch remains accountable to the legislature on matters of war, peace, and national resilience. Its chairmanship is considered one of the most senior positions in the Knesset, often held by experienced political figures with deep backgrounds in security or diplomacy.