Prime Minister of Israel

The Prime Minister of Israel is the elected head of the Israeli government. He is usually the leader of the largest political party or coalition of parties in theKnesset (the Israeli parliament).

Historical background

At its founding, the State of Israel adopted the parliamentary political system, with a Prime Minister at the most powerful political leader of the government and a largely ceremonial president as head of State. According to the original Basic Law, following elections to the Knesset, the President assigns the task of forming a Government to a member of Knesset (conventionally the leader of the party that has won a plurality of Knesset seats), and this individual becomes Prime Minister after s/he successfully forms a Government that has the support of 61 members (a majority) in the Knesset. Occasionally, the title of "Premier" is used when referring to the Prime Minister.

Related Topics:
Israel - Prime Minister - Basic Law - Knesset

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The Basic Law was amended in 1992, providing for the direct election of the Prime Minister, separate from the Knesset election. Three elections were held under this system: 1996, 1999, and 2001. (2001 was the only time that a Prime Ministerial election was held without a Knesset election. Thus, from 2001-2003 Ariel Sharon (Likud) was Prime Minister while Labour held a plurality of Knesset seats.) In 2001, the Basic Law was amended again, abolishing direct elections and reverting to the original system. Thus, in 2003 and subsequent elections, the Prime Minister is chosen as the head of the largest party in the Knesset.

Related Topics:
1992 - Ariel Sharon - Likud - Labour

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