Basic Law: The Knesset חוק יסוד: הכנסת

Key provisions

• 120 members elected in a single nationwide constituency by proportional representation
• Four-year terms, with elections normally held on a Tuesday in the Hebrew month of Cheshvan
• Universal suffrage for every citizen aged 18 and over, regardless of religion, ethnicity, or gender
• Section 7A safeguards the constitutional order by disqualifying candidates or lists that reject Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, incite racism, or support armed struggle against Israel
• Changing section 4's electoral principles requires 61 MKs; changing the protections in sections 44–45 requires 80.

Context

Enacted in 1958 as Israel's first Basic Law, following the 1950 Harari Decision to prepare a constitution chapter by chapter.

Notable amendments

• 1985: Added section 7A on disqualifying electoral lists; its grounds were subsequently amended.
• 2015 onward: Provisions allow eligible ministers and deputy ministers to leave the Knesset temporarily and be replaced from their party lists.
• 2016: Added a procedure requiring 90 MKs to remove a member for incitement to racism or support for armed struggle against Israel.

Today

The law governs elections, parliamentary terms, members' eligibility and immunity, and procedures for dissolving the Knesset.