Branches of GovernmentEnacted 1968

Basic Law: The Government חוק יסוד: הממשלה

Sets out the structure, formation, powers, and dissolution of the executive branch, the Prime Minister and Cabinet, which is collectively responsible to the Knesset.

Key provisions

Government is composed of a Prime Minister, who must be an MK, and ministers who need not be
A government takes office after a Knesset confidence vote. Constructive no-confidence requires at least 61 MKs to approve an alternative government, including its program and ministers.
PM, with presidential approval, may dissolve the Knesset and call early elections
Detailed regime for emergency regulations, declaration of war, and acting/interim governments

Context

First enacted in 1968. A 1992 replacement introduced direct election of the Prime Minister, used in 1996, 1999 and 2001; the 2001 law restored parliamentary selection.

Notable amendments

1992: Direct election of the Prime Minister (in force 1996-2001)
2001: Full replacement restoring the parliamentary system (constructive no-confidence later added in 2014)
2020: 'Alternate Prime Minister' framework created for the Netanyahu-Gantz rotation government

Today

On 3 January 2024, the Supreme Court ruled 6–5 that the 2023 amendment restricting declarations of a prime minister's incapacity to physical or mental grounds would take effect only with the 26th Knesset.

SourcesUpdated as of July 14, 20261 2

Cite this page

Basic Law: The Government (1968). The State of Israel. https://thestateofisrael.com/basic-law/the-government