The Knesset resolves that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.

The Knesset: Israel's Unicameral Legislature and Supreme State Body

The Knesset (Hebrew: הַכְּנֶסֶת, [haˈkneset]), a name derived from the Hebrew word meaning "gathering" or "assembly," stands as the unicameral legislature of the State of Israel. As the nation's supreme state body, the Knesset embodies a unique form of parliamentary sovereignty, holding complete control over the entirety of the Israeli government. This extensive authority is primarily checked and balanced by the independent judiciary, specifically the Supreme Court of Israel (Bagatz), and by the established powers of local governmental bodies.

Comprising 120 members, known as Members of Knesset (MKs), this robust legislative body performs a wide array of critical functions essential to the governance of Israel. It is solely responsible for passing all national laws, a process that typically involves multiple readings and committee reviews. The Knesset also plays a pivotal role in the executive branch by electing both the President and the Prime Minister of Israel. While the President's role is largely ceremonial and their appointment is formally made by the Knesset, the Prime Minister, who serves as the head of government, must command the confidence of the Knesset to form and maintain their administration. Furthermore, the Knesset approves the composition of the cabinet ministers proposed by the Prime Minister and exercises vital oversight over the government's daily operations and policies.

Beyond its primary legislative and executive oversight roles, the Knesset holds significant powers to maintain accountability and stability within the Israeli political system. It is responsible for electing the State Comptroller, an independent ombudsman who audits government ministries and public institutions. The Knesset also possesses the power to waive the parliamentary immunity of its members, ensuring that legal processes can proceed when necessary. In cases of severe misconduct, it can remove both the President and the State Comptroller from office. A distinctive feature of Israel's parliamentary democracy is the Knesset's ability to dissolve the government through a constructive vote of no confidence. This mechanism requires the opposition to not only express a lack of confidence in the current government but also to simultaneously propose an alternative prime ministerial candidate, thereby preventing a power vacuum. The Knesset also has the inherent authority to dissolve itself and call for new general elections. Conversely, the Prime Minister also possesses the power to dissolve the Knesset, often as a strategic move to seek a renewed mandate or resolve a political deadlock. Crucially, even after the Knesset is dissolved and new elections are called, it maintains its legislative authority in its current composition until the new election process is fully completed and a new Knesset is sworn in. The Knesset's permanent home is located in Givat Ram, a neighborhood in the heart of Jerusalem.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Knesset

What does "unicameral legislature" mean in the context of the Knesset?
A unicameral legislature means that Israel's parliament consists of only one chamber or house, unlike bicameral systems (e.g., the U.S. Congress with its House of Representatives and Senate). This structure typically allows for more streamlined legislative processes, though it may also mean fewer checks and balances within the legislative body itself.
How many members are in the Knesset, and how are they elected?
The Knesset has 120 members, known as Members of Knesset (MKs). They are elected through a national proportional representation system, meaning citizens vote for political parties, and seats are allocated proportionally to the percentage of votes each party receives, provided they pass an electoral threshold.
What is a "constructive vote of no confidence"?
A constructive vote of no confidence is a parliamentary procedure that allows for the removal of a government only if a majority of the legislature simultaneously agrees on a replacement government. This mechanism aims to ensure political stability by preventing governments from being toppled without a viable alternative in place, unlike a simple vote of no confidence which could lead to immediate elections or a prolonged political crisis.

Jerusalem: An Ancient City of Profound Significance

Jerusalem (Hebrew: יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, Yerushalayim; Arabic: القُدس, al-Quds) is an ancient city of immense historical, cultural, and religious significance, located on a plateau in the Judaean Mountains, strategically positioned between the Mediterranean Sea and the Dead Sea in Western Asia. Widely regarded as one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Jerusalem holds unparalleled sanctity for the three major Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

The city's complex modern identity is largely shaped by its geopolitical status. Jerusalem straddles the Green Line, the 1949 Armistice Agreements demarcation line that separated Israeli and Jordanian forces after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. Both Israelis and Palestinians lay claim to Jerusalem as their capital. Israel currently controls the entire city, with its primary governmental institutions, including the Knesset, the residences of the Prime Minister (Beit Aghion) and President (Beit HaNassi), and the Supreme Court, all situated within its municipal boundaries. Conversely, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) ultimately foresee East Jerusalem as the designated seat of power for the future State of Palestine. Due to this long-running and deeply entrenched dispute, neither Israel's comprehensive claim nor the Palestinian claim to the city's capital status is widely recognized by the international community, which typically maintains embassies in Tel Aviv rather than Jerusalem.

The Enduring History and Demographics of Jerusalem

Jerusalem's history is a testament to its enduring importance, marked by an extraordinary number of conflicts and transformations. Throughout its documented history, the city has been subjected to destruction at least twice, endured 23 sieges, been captured and recaptured 44 times, and attacked 52 times. Archaeological evidence within the part of Jerusalem known as the City of David reveals the first signs of human settlement dating back to the 4th millennium BCE, initially as encampments of nomadic shepherds.

During the Canaanite period, around the 14th century BCE, Jerusalem was referred to as "Urusalim" on ancient Egyptian tablets, a name likely referencing Shalim, a significant Canaanite deity. The Israelite period brought about profound changes, with significant construction activities commencing throughout the city in the 9th century BCE (Iron Age II). By the 8th century BCE, Jerusalem had firmly established itself as the religious and administrative heart of the Kingdom of Judah. A pivotal and tragic event occurred in 70 CE when an unsuccessful Jewish revolt against Roman rule culminated in the catastrophic destruction of the city and, most notably, the Second Temple, the spiritual center of Judaism.

Centuries later, in 1538 CE, the iconic city walls that largely define modern Jerusalem's Old City were rebuilt for the last time under the patronage of Suleiman the Magnificent, the powerful Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Today, these magnificent walls enclose the Old City, which has been traditionally divided into four distinct sections since the early 19th century. Moving clockwise from the southeastern end, these are the Jewish Quarter, the Armenian Quarter, the Christian Quarter, and the Muslim Quarter. In recognition of its unparalleled cultural and historical value, the Old City of Jerusalem was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981, and due to ongoing threats and conservation challenges, it has been on the List of World Heritage in Danger since 1982.

Since 1860, Jerusalem has experienced significant demographic and urban expansion, growing far beyond the confines of the Old City's historical walls. The city's contemporary population reflects its diverse heritage and complex social fabric. In 2015, Jerusalem was home to approximately 850,000 residents. This population comprised roughly 200,000 secular Jewish Israelis, 350,000 Haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jews, and 300,000 Palestinian Arabs. By 2016, the city's total population had increased to 882,700, with Jews constituting the majority at 536,600 (61%), followed by Muslims at 319,800 (36%), Christians at 15,800 (2%), and unclassified subjects making up the remaining 10,300 (1%).

Jerusalem's Profound Religious Significance

Jerusalem's holiness is deeply embedded in the narratives and traditions of the three Abrahamic faiths:

As a direct result of these unparalleled religious narratives and historical events, despite its modest area of only 0.9 square kilometers (38 square miles), the Old City of Jerusalem is home to an extraordinary concentration of seminal religious sites. These include the revered Temple Mount (known as Haram al-Sharif in Arabic), which houses the Western Wall (Kotel), a remnant of the Second Temple and a paramount site for Jewish prayer; the magnificent Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque, both central to Islamic worship and tradition; and the sacred Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a pilgrimage site for Christians worldwide.

The Contemporary Status of Jerusalem: A Core Issue of Conflict

Today, the status of Jerusalem remains one of the most contentious and complex core issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and its ongoing peace process. The city's division and subsequent reunification under Israeli control are central to this dispute. During the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, West Jerusalem was among the areas captured and later formally annexed by the newly formed State of Israel. Concurrently, East Jerusalem, which encompasses the historically significant Old City, was captured and subsequently annexed by Jordan.

However, the geopolitical landscape of Jerusalem dramatically shifted during the 1967 Six-Day War, when East Jerusalem was captured from Jordan by Israel. Following this conquest, Israel effectively annexed and incorporated East Jerusalem into the other Israeli-held parts of the city, along with additional surrounding territory, declaring a unified Jerusalem under Israeli sovereignty. This position was solidified by one of Israel's Basic Laws, the Jerusalem Law of 1980, which formally refers to "complete and undivided" Jerusalem as the country's capital. As a reflection of this assertion, all major institutions of the Israeli government are located within Jerusalem, including the Knesset, the residences of the Prime Minister (Beit Aghion) and President (Beit HaNassi), and the Supreme Court.

The international community's response to these actions has been divided. While Israel's claim to sovereignty over West Jerusalem is more widely accepted, its claim to sovereignty over East Jerusalem, particularly its annexation, is largely regarded as illegitimate under international law. Consequently, East Jerusalem is recognized by the United Nations and most international bodies as Palestinian territory that is occupied by Israel. This unresolved status continues to be a major obstacle to any lasting peace agreement between Israelis and Palestinians, with both sides viewing Jerusalem as integral to their national identity and future.

Frequently Asked Questions about Jerusalem

Why is Jerusalem considered a holy city by three major religions?
Jerusalem is holy to Judaism as the site of the First and Second Temples, and central to Jewish history and prophecy. For Christians, it's where Jesus Christ was crucified, resurrected, and ascended to heaven. For Muslims, it is the site of the Prophet Muhammad's Night Journey and ascension to heaven, and was the first qibla (direction of prayer).
What is the "Green Line" in relation to Jerusalem?
The "Green Line" refers to the 1949 Armistice Agreements demarcation lines established at the end of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. It effectively divided Jerusalem into West Jerusalem (under Israeli control) and East Jerusalem (under Jordanian control) until 1967. While Israel now controls the entire city, the Green Line remains a significant political and conceptual boundary in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
What is the significance of the Jerusalem Law of 1980?
The Jerusalem Law of 1980 is one of Israel's Basic Laws, which act as a de facto constitution. It formally declares "complete and undivided" Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. This law is seen by Israel as solidifying its sovereignty over the entire city, but it is largely not recognized by the international community, which considers East Jerusalem to be occupied territory.