KnowraPolitics of IsraelPolitics of IsraelThe parties, institutions, elections, policies, and conflicts that shape government and public life in Israel.BriefConnectKnesset: Israel’s unicameral legislature, whose 120 members are elected by proportional representation. The Knesset makes laws, approves governments, and provides the central arena for party competition.David Ben-Gurion: A Zionist leader and Israel’s first prime minister, who served from 1948 to 1954 and again from 1955 to 1963. His state-building leadership shaped the early institutions and political conventions of Israel.Israeli legislative election: A national election that chooses the members of Israel’s Knesset through proportional representation. Election results determine party strength and the bargaining power behind coalition formation.Zionism: A movement supporting Jewish self-determination, historically centered on establishing and maintaining a Jewish homeland in the land of Israel. Israeli political debate often turns on competing interpretations of Zionism and its implications for state policy.Israeli–Egyptian peace treaty: The 1979 treaty that ended the state of war between Israel and Egypt and established diplomatic relations. It demonstrates how Israeli governments have used negotiation to secure formal peace with a neighboring state.Basic Laws of Israel: A set of quasi-constitutional laws that define Israel’s institutions and rights without a single codified constitution. They establish much of the legal framework within which Israeli political institutions operate.Menachem Begin: An Israeli prime minister from 1977 to 1983 and leader of the Likud movement. His 1977 victory ended decades of Labor-led government and marked a major electoral realignment.Israeli coalition government: A government formed when multiple parties agree to support a parliamentary majority. Coalition agreements distribute offices and policy commitments among parties with different priorities.Arab citizens of Israel: Citizens of Israel who identify as Arab, including Muslim, Christian, Druze, and other communities. Their political participation and equal-citizenship claims test how Israel balances its Jewish and democratic character.Israeli–Jordanian peace treaty: The 1994 treaty that established peace and diplomatic relations between Israel and Jordan. It reflects a durable regional policy achievement amid unresolved Israeli–Palestinian disputes.Show all 30Linked from 3 pagesAriel SharonNarrower topic: Sharon’s shifts between parties and policies reshaped political alignments across several decades.Ehud BarakNarrower topic: Barak’s coalition difficulties and electoral defeat reflected Israel’s parliamentary political system.Ovadia YosefNarrower topic: His religious leadership and party influence reached into coalition politics and state policy.