Knesset
The Knesset is Israel's unicameral parliament and supreme legislative authority. Comprising 120 members, it is responsible for enacting laws, approving the state budget, and overseeing the executive branch.
The Knesset, located in Jerusalem, serves as the heart of Israeli democracy. Its 120 members (MKs) are elected through a proportional representation system, where parties must clear a 3.25% threshold to enter. As of June 2026, the Knesset is operating under a dual reality of severe security threats and intense domestic legislative friction. Following direct military confrontation with the Iranian regime, the parliament activated emergency protocols, moving plenum sessions to a protected underground auditorium and restricting public access to the building. Despite these measures, the legislative agenda has accelerated into what observers call a "legislative blitz." This push, led by the governing coalition, aims to finalize key components of a judicial overhaul and religious status-quo changes before a potential dissolution of the house. Central to this effort is the "Basic Law: Torah Study," which seeks to enshrine military draft exemptions for yeshiva students—a move that passed its preliminary reading on June 10, 2026. Simultaneously, the Knesset is advancing bills to restructure the Police Internal Investigations Department (Mahash), split the role of the Attorney General, and alter the system for senior civil service appointments. These moves occur alongside critical security-related legislation, such as the June 2024 law allowing the deduction of Palestinian Authority funds to compensate Israeli terror victims. The chamber remains a site of sharp social tension, recently highlighted by data showing that while the Finance Committee approved daycare subsidies for those exempt from service, nearly half of eligible reservist families are not receiving their promised benefits.