BASIC LAW: THE KNESSET

Basic Law: the knesset: translation

Passed on 12 February 1958 by the thirdKnesset. It states that it is the house of representatives of the state, that its seat is inJerusalem, and that upon election it should include 120 members. The law deals with the electoral system, the right to vote and be elected, the Knesset's term of office, the principles relating to theKnesset elections, the service of Knesset members, the parliamentary immunity of the Knesset members and the Knesset buildings, and the work of the Knesset and its committees.Amendment 9 of the law, passed on 31 July 1985, states that a list may not participate in the election if there is in its goals or actions a denial of the existence of the state of Israel as the state of the Jewish people, a denial of the democratic nature of the state, or incitement to racism.

Among other provisions, the law provides that The Knesset is the parliament of the State. . . . The Knesset shall, upon its election, consist of one hundred and twenty members. . . . The Knesset shall be elected by general, national, direct, equal, secret and proportional elections, in accordance with the Knesset Elections Law; this section shall not be varied save by a majority of the members of the Knesset. . . . The term of office of the Knesset shall be four years from the day on which it is elected. . . . If the seat of a member of the Knesset falls vacant, it shall be filled by the candidate who, in the list of candidates which included the name of the late member, figured immediately after the last of the elected candidates. . . . A candidates' list shall not participate in elections to the Knesset if its objects or actions, expressly or by implication, include one of the following: (1) negation of the existence of the State of Israel as the state of the Jewish people; (2) negation of the democratic character of the State; (3) incitement to racism.