How is the Knesset elected in Israel?

The 120-member Knesset is the unicameral parliament of Israel and is elected every four years through a system of proportional representation.1

Key features of the electoral process include:

• Universal Suffrage: Elections are held via secret ballot. All Israeli citizens aged 18 or older are eligible to vote, and candidates must be at least 21 years old.2
• National Constituency: The entire country functions as a single constituency; there are no regional districts.1
• Party Lists: Voters choose from national lists of candidates provided by political parties. The number of seats a party receives in the Knesset is directly proportional to the percentage of the total national vote it earns.12
• Coalition Government: Because it is rare for a single party to secure an absolute majority of the 120 seats, the government is typically formed through a coalition of multiple parties.12

Following the election, the leader of the governing coalition serves as the prime minister, who then appoints a cabinet that must receive a vote of confidence from the Knesset.1