President of Israel

President of the State of Israel is the head of state of Israel, but has a largely ceremonial, figurehead role with real power lying in the hands of the Prime Minister of Israel.

Presidential powers and roles

The president's powers are rather limited in scope compared to heads of state in other countries. The president:

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• Signs every law (except those that pertain to the president's powers).
• Chooses a member of the Knesset to form the government in consultation with the parties making up the body.
• Confirms diplomats and receives foreign diplomats.
• Signs treaties, approved by the Knesset, with foreign countries
• Appoints judges to the Supreme Court (upon advice of the Judicial Appointments Committee).
• Appoints the governor of the Bank of Israel and other bureaucrats (upon advice of the Prime Minister).
• Furthermore, the president has the authority to pardon criminals and commute sentences.

Presidential powers are usually exercised based on the recommendation of appropriate government ministers.

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Although the president's role is non-political, Israeli heads of state perform important moral, ceremonial, and educational functions. They also play a part in the formation of a coalition cabinet, or "a government" as the Israelis call it. They are required to consult leaders of all political parties in the Knesset and to designate a member of the legislature to organize a cabinet. If the member so appointed fails, other political parties commanding a plurality in the Knesset may submit their own nominee. The figure called upon to form a cabinet is invariably the leader of the most influential political party or bloc in the Knesset.

Related Topics:
Moral - Ceremonial - Education

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