Knesset

Likud shames MKs absent from Knesset session

"We'll only bring this left-wing government down if we maintain iron discipline," party announcement reads.

New bill: Premiership will be limited to two largest parties

Bill would see one of the two largest factions in the Knesset form a coalition, ban rotation deals with smaller parties.

Unity Government:

Most Israelis back new government as Likud plummets in new poll

Just 37% of Israelis oppose new government - but Netanyahu holds wide lead over Bennett as top pick for prime minister.

Naftali Bennett sworn in as Prime Minister of Israel

Bennett wins razor-thin majority in Knesset, replaces Netanyahu as PM. Yesh Atid MK elected to replace Yariv Levin as Knesset Speaker.

Vote on Unity Government:

Bennett thanks Netanyahu, rightist MKs jeer

Right-wing lawmakers shout down Naftali Bennett as Knesset prepares to vote on national unity government.

Poll: Yesh Atid soars, Yamina barely clears electoral threshold

Yair Lapid gains ground on Netanyahu in latest poll, while Yamina barely makes it into Knesset.

'Shameless coalition':

Rightist MKs up in arms as Knesset paves way for unity govt vote

Knesset Arrangements Committee approves plans to vote on and swear in national unity government next week, drawing fiery response.

Unity government secures majority, will be sworn in Sunday

Knesset Speaker sets date for inauguration of new government. MK Nir Orbach vows to back gov't, ensuring it a majority.

Knesset to convene Monday to announce new government

Knesset Speaker Yariv Levin announces he will bring Lapid’s statement that he can form a government before the Knesset on Monday.

Isaac Herzog elected as President of Israel

Jewish Agency chief Isaac Herzog defeats Israel Prize laureate Miriam Peretz by wide margin to become Israel's 11th President.

Likud and Yesh Atid clash over presidential election

Vote for the presidency next week in doubt due to disagreement between Likud and Yesh Atid.

MK removed from Knesset podium while holding burned Bible

MK May Golan holds up Chumash taken from synagogue torched in Lod in Knesset, says Jews will remember what happened.

Poll: Likud - 30 seats, Yesh Atid - 21

Channel 12 News poll gives Religious Zionist 7 seats, Labor - 6, New Hope - 6, Yamina - 5 and the Joint List - 5.

Unity Government:

Change bloc renews coalition talks: 'New gov't by next week'

Gantz expected to remain Defense Minister in new government, with Avidgor Liberman becoming Finance Minister, Lapid to be Foreign Minister.

Knesset to ease coronavirus restrictions

Knesset members to resume meetings in the building in full next week, as was the case before the pandemic.

Knesset fast tracks regulation of 'Young Settlements'

Right-wing factions unite to waive requirement of 45 delay for votes on bills to allow Knesset to vote to normalize status of communities.

Political drama: United Arab List thwarts Likud proposal

Netanyahu's opponents to control key committee despite Yamina agreement to support Likud proposal for its composition.

Likud, Yamina reach agreement on Arrangements Committee

At last minute, Yamina agrees to support Likud proposal for committee arrangement, in return for one of the Likud's seats on the committee.

Yamina to decide fate of anti-Netanyahu legislation

Likud, left-wing bloc at odds over makeup of Knesset Arrangements Committee, which will decide fate of bills to ban Netanyahu from being PM.

Robert Frost and Balaam's Donkey in the Knesset

On the use and misuse of literature in Israeli parliamentary debate.

Rivlin at Knesset: The people expect you all to show leadership

President Reuven Rivlin swears in the 24th Knesset for its first session.

Poll: Lapid soars, Likud sinks if Israel goes to 5th election

New poll shows Yesh Atid gaining ground if no candidate can form government, forcing Israel to go to unprecedented fifth election.

President worries government can't be formed

President Rivlin's meeting with party representatives has left him doubtful that any candidate can form a government.

Knesset approves electronic bracelets for returnees from abroad

Bill stipulates that one returning from abroad will be fitted with electronic bracelet to ensure he doesn't leave isolation premises.

Poll: Religious Zionist Party rises to 6 seats, ties with Labor

Right-wing bloc falls short of majority in latest poll, with three small left-wing - Arab bloc parties barely crossing electoral threshold.

Poll: Overwhelming majority of Israelis would limit PM's term

Israel Hayom/i24NEWS poll: 52% of Israelis believe Knesset should determine legislature - not Supreme Court, PM's term should be limited.

Former MK Hendel: every value today is a war

The Deputy Minister of Education says that Israel is fighting for its ideas more than ever before.

Poll: In a first, Yamina surpasses New Hope

Meretz again fails to cross electoral threshold, as right-wing bloc secures 62-seat majority according to new poll.

Poll: 'Never Bibi' bloc reaches 62-seat majority

Likud continues to fall in latest poll as Yesh Atid surges, giving anti-Netanyahu coalition majority in next Knesset - even without Yamina.

MK Shata: Political deals are not Catholic weddings

Blue and White MK attacks Yesh Atid for conformist policies

Health Ministry may share information on unvaccinated Israelis

Bill allowing Health Ministry to share information on those unvaccinated against coronavirus passes second and third Knesset readings.

Poll: Religious Zionism, Gantz, Meretz barely cross threshold

Left-wing bloc gains ground in latest poll, denying rightist bloc a majority. Three parties in danger of falling being left out of Knesset.

Poll: Likud 29, Yesh Atid 18, Yamina 11

Religious Zionist Party falls to 4 seats, barely clearly electoral threshold, as 'Never Bibi' bloc receives majority in latest poll.

Knesset backs bill allowing transfer of non-vaccinated's info

New bill which aims to 'enable local authorities to help Health Ministry encourage people to get vaccinated' passes first reading.

Poll: Right-wing rises to 62 seats

Religious Zionist Party gains momentum, rising to 5 seats, helping to push right-wing bloc up to 62 seats. Blue and White falls to 0 seats.

Poll: Right-wing and anti-Bibi blocs tied

Arab parties set to fall to lowest level in 20 years, poll shows, while Yesh Atid surges.

Poll: Religious Zionist Party in - Meretz out

Religious Zionist Party gets 4 seats in latest poll, while Meretz drops to 0. Right-wing bloc hits 61-seat majority needed for government.

South Tel Aviv activists endorse Religious Zionist Party

Activists against illegal immigration to Tel Aviv say that the only choice for them is the Religious Zionist Party of Bezalel Smotrich.

Poll: Likud 29, Yesh Atid 16, Religious Zionist Party 4

First poll released after closing of party registration shows Smotrich's alliance with Ben-Gvir yields four seats - even without Jewish Home

Fines raised for flouting guidelines

The Knesset has drastically increased the fines for those opening in defiance of the lockdown.

MK Bitan of Likud returns to Knesset

Knesset colleagues are excited to see their fellow MK has beaten COVID-19

Meet the anti-vaxxer, COVID skeptic party

Dr. Aryeh Avni says that he wants to be Minister of Health, claims he could have saved all those who died of COVID-19

Poll: Blue and White, Religious Zionist Party below threshold

New poll shows Benny Gantz left out of next Knesset - along with Bezalel Smotrich and Tel Aviv Mayor Ron Huldai.

Poll: Likud continues to rise, New Hope falls

Alliance between National Union, Jewish Home fails to clear threshold as Netanyahu continues to regain ground.

Lockdown Extension:

Knesset votes to increase lockdown fines ahead of extension

Government to deliberate on lockdown extension after Knesset votes to increase fines. Knesset Speaker blasts Benny Gantz over ultimatum.

Gantz demands immediate passage of 'Fines Law'

Gantz in letter to PM: If law fails to be passed, lockdown will have limited effect that doesn't justify its existence.

Will anti-vaxxer COVID-skeptics join Knesset?

Dr. Aryeh Avni, a vaccine opponent, founds 'Rapeh - Only Health' party, which seeks to remake the Health Ministry,

Knesset approves bill doubling fines for lockdown violations

Gantz: I don't call for equal enforcement because I am against haredim, but because I am for them.

Poll: Likud 31, Yesh Atid 16, Religious Zionist Party 4

32% of Israelis want Netanyahu to continue as PM, 21% prefer New Hope's Gideon Sa'ar, new poll shows.

Poll: Likud rises to 32 as Yesh Atid soars to 18

New left-wing alliances could pose serious threat to Netanyahu, new poll shows, with Labor crossing electoral threshold once again.

Poll: Likud 31, Yamina 11, Religious Zionism Party - 0

After splitting off from Yamina, Smotrich's new party fails to cross threshold in poll, while Likud continues to regain its strength.

Democracy is not what B'Tselem thinks it is

B’Tselem should try to have the Israeli public elect those who subscribe to its beliefs to the Knesset. That is democratic. Op-ed.

'There is only one genuine religious Zionist party'

Hagit Moshe talks about party alliances, the road to the Knesset, and the Prime Minister's alleged intervention in her party's primaries.

Poll: 'Never Bibi' bloc nets absolute majority in Knesset

Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party crosses threshold with 4 seats in latest poll, as Yamina sinks to lowest level since June

Watch:

The Knesset bids farewell to Ambassador David Friedman

'Our most important accomplishment was recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital,' says Friedman. 'It strengthened US around the world.'

Poll: 'Never Netanyahu' bloc wins 60 seats, denying PM majority

Religious Zionism party led by Bezalel Smotrich receives 4 seats in latest poll, while Yamina wins 14 as rightist bloc hits 60 seats.

Poll: Likud 28, New Hope 18, Yamina 13

Blue and White barely crosses threshold in latest poll, as Likud falls and New Hope gains ground.

Rafi Peretz steps down as Jewish Home leader

Jewish Home leader Peretz has released a statement saying that he will be leaving the political arena.

Poll: Likud 29 seats - Blue and White 0

Likud regains lost seats in latest poll, as Blue and White is poised to disappear from the Knesset.

Poll: Likud 27, left-wing union 25

Half of Israelis back imposing tougher lockdown, while half oppose further restrictions, new poll shows.