Tuesday, May 29, 2007
The Type of Government
Israel is a democratic republic with universal suffrage that operates under a parliamentary system. This means that the people of Israel have the right to vote freely for the party that they choose. There are three branches of government in Israel: legislative, executive and judicial. There is no definite distinction between the legislative and executive branches of government, since the executive branch depends on the support of the legislative branch. Israel also has both a Prime Minister and a President, each of which has a different job.
Israel’s rules and regulations come from their set of Basic Laws. There are eleven of them, and they lay down the order and structure of how the Israeli government functions.
Israel’s rules and regulations come from their set of Basic Laws. There are eleven of them, and they lay down the order and structure of how the Israeli government functions.
Leaders
Israel’s current President is Dalia Itzik, who is the acting President after Moshe Katsav was suspended from office. The current Prime Minister is Ehud Olmert, who is the acting Prime Minister after Ariel Sharon fell into a coma, in which he still remains.
The President is the Head of State in Israel. The President works in the highest office and is not part of the three branches of government. The Prime Minister is the leader of the government. He chooses the ministers in the government, like the Minister of Finance.
The Knesset
The Knesset, Israel’s parliament, is comprised of 120 members, who are elected in four-year terms through proportional representation, as stated by the 1958 Basic Law: The Knesset. The Knesset is Israel’s legislative branch of government, so it makes laws, supervises government activities, and it also can elect or remove the President of State from office. The Knesset operates in sessions where all members are present in their committees in which they belong. Another thing the Knesset can do is call a motion of confidence, to counter a motion of non-confidence, made by the opposing parties.
The results of the March 2006 election show five major political parties: Kadima, Labor, Shas, Lukud and Israel Beytenu. These five parties each have more than ten seats in the Knesset.
There has only been one Knesset where one party held the 61 seats needed to have a majority, in the 1969 election, since the first Knesset in 1948. At other times, parties join together to create the needed majority. After the last election, there are twelve different political parties in the Knesset.
The results of the March 2006 election show five major political parties: Kadima, Labor, Shas, Lukud and Israel Beytenu. These five parties each have more than ten seats in the Knesset.
There has only been one Knesset where one party held the 61 seats needed to have a majority, in the 1969 election, since the first Knesset in 1948. At other times, parties join together to create the needed majority. After the last election, there are twelve different political parties in the Knesset.
Committees Within the Knesset
The Knesset’s committees deal with bills, supervises the work of the Government Ministries, and they hold debates on issues that are related to the committees. Committees maintain direct contact with the Government Ministries, and the public. The committees receive information from Ministers or their representatives as to what the public wants.
The Knesset has 15 committees:
• The House Committee
• The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee
• The Economic Affairs Committee
• The Finance Committee
• The Internal Affairs and Environment Committee
• The Education and Culture Committee
• The Labor, Social Welfare and Health Committee
• The Constitution, Law and Justice Committee
• The Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee
• The State Control Committee
• The Anti-Drug Abuse Committee
• The Committee on the Status of Women
• The Committee on Science and Technology
• The Committee on the Status of the Child
• The Committee on Foreign Workers
The Knesset has 15 committees:
• The House Committee
• The Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee
• The Economic Affairs Committee
• The Finance Committee
• The Internal Affairs and Environment Committee
• The Education and Culture Committee
• The Labor, Social Welfare and Health Committee
• The Constitution, Law and Justice Committee
• The Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs Committee
• The State Control Committee
• The Anti-Drug Abuse Committee
• The Committee on the Status of Women
• The Committee on Science and Technology
• The Committee on the Status of the Child
• The Committee on Foreign Workers
How They Acquire Power - The Electoral System
Israel’s leaders gain power through democratic elections. The elections are general, equal, and secret. Elections are held at least once every four years on the national level (the Knesset), and at least once every five years on the municipal level. These governments may call an election before the end of their term if they choose. Israel has a system of equal representation, so every area in the country is treated the same, and the whole country is considered to be a single constituency.
Voters do not vote for a person, in particular, but rather a party list. After the election, if a party won a seat in the Knesset, the first people on the party’s list get those seats. For example, if a party won ten seats, the first ten people on the list would be members of the Knesset. Every citizen of Israel over the age of 18 has the right to vote, but voting is optional. After tallying the ballots, a party receives one seat in the Knesset for every one in 120 votes, but they must have at least two percent of the total votes to claim their first seat.
After the elections, the President chooses a member of the Knesset, and makes it the person’s duty to form a government. This chosen person becomes the Prime Minister. The President can choose whichever member of the Knesset that he thinks has the best chance at forming a successful government.
Voters do not vote for a person, in particular, but rather a party list. After the election, if a party won a seat in the Knesset, the first people on the party’s list get those seats. For example, if a party won ten seats, the first ten people on the list would be members of the Knesset. Every citizen of Israel over the age of 18 has the right to vote, but voting is optional. After tallying the ballots, a party receives one seat in the Knesset for every one in 120 votes, but they must have at least two percent of the total votes to claim their first seat.After the elections, the President chooses a member of the Knesset, and makes it the person’s duty to form a government. This chosen person becomes the Prime Minister. The President can choose whichever member of the Knesset that he thinks has the best chance at forming a successful government.
Making New Laws
When a Ministry brings forth a bill, a memorandum on the bill is passed to the Ministry of Justice, to examine the legal aspects of it, and to all of the other Ministries for their say in the matter. If the memo is approved by the Ministries, the bill is passed onto the Knesset.
Israel's Judicial System
The judiciary watches over the rule of law and individual rights. The fact that there is not complete written constitution and bill of rights, plus the regulations that still remain from British Mandatory rule and the wide powers of the legislative branch, make the judiciary in Israel a very important part of the government.
There are two main components to the judicial system in Israel: the General Law courts, and the other authorities with judicial power. The General Law courts are known as civil, or regular, courts. The Basic Law: The Judiciary states three levels of courts: the magistrate courts (local level), district courts, and the Supreme Court. The magistrate and district courts are courts with trials, and the Supreme Court deals with appeals. There are no juries in any type of court in Israel.
The military courts, the labor courts and the religious courts are the most important types of authority with judicial powers, other than what is stated above. Each tribunal (court) all operates on the judicial system, but they deal with certain material. The success of the judicial system in Israel in enforcing the law is greatly due to the independence given to judges.
There are two main components to the judicial system in Israel: the General Law courts, and the other authorities with judicial power. The General Law courts are known as civil, or regular, courts. The Basic Law: The Judiciary states three levels of courts: the magistrate courts (local level), district courts, and the Supreme Court. The magistrate and district courts are courts with trials, and the Supreme Court deals with appeals. There are no juries in any type of court in Israel.
The military courts, the labor courts and the religious courts are the most important types of authority with judicial powers, other than what is stated above. Each tribunal (court) all operates on the judicial system, but they deal with certain material. The success of the judicial system in Israel in enforcing the law is greatly due to the independence given to judges.
The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is at the top of the judicial system. It deals with matters, in relevance to legality, of all the decisions of the authorities in the country. It also makes decisions on the laws passed by the Knesset, to make sure it follows the constitution, and on the distribution of power, to make sure a certain part of government is not doing another part’s job.
Government Relationship with Its People
The aim of Ehud Olmert’s government over the next four years, until the next elections, is to fix Israel’s official borders for all of the people in the country. The main goal is to establish borders between Israel and Palestine, which will hopefully put an end to the fighting and disagreements between the two. Olmert calls his plan the convergence plan. He will also try to move 70,000 Jewish people from the West Bank (Palestine) back into Israel to try to make progress with this plan. If the fighting does stop, this will benefit the whole country, since there won’t be rocket attacks, hostages, etc. The citizens of Israel, as well as many government parties, are behind Olmert’s decision.
The other type of relationship between the government and the people of Israel is the elections that the whole country can take part in. Kadima, Olmert’s party, is also quite popular with the public.
The other type of relationship between the government and the people of Israel is the elections that the whole country can take part in. Kadima, Olmert’s party, is also quite popular with the public.
April 23, 2007 - Israel's 59th Independence Day
Independence Day is the anniversary of the creation of the State of Israel. It is a very meaningful celebration for everyone in the country, especially those who have been part of the country for their whole lives since the creation in 1948.
The day before Independence Day is known as Remembrance Day. It is a day where Israelis remember everyone who died while fighting for Israel’s independence. At the end of the day, a torch-lighting ceremony takes place in Jerusalem, where Israel’s leaders have been buried.
There are also other celebrations around the country, like free celebrations. These celebrations include performances by popular musicians, and fireworks.
Many people tour the country and travel to battlefields of the War of Independence. They also visit memorials, go on nature hikes, and spend the day outdoors.
The day before Independence Day is known as Remembrance Day. It is a day where Israelis remember everyone who died while fighting for Israel’s independence. At the end of the day, a torch-lighting ceremony takes place in Jerusalem, where Israel’s leaders have been buried.
There are also other celebrations around the country, like free celebrations. These celebrations include performances by popular musicians, and fireworks.
Many people tour the country and travel to battlefields of the War of Independence. They also visit memorials, go on nature hikes, and spend the day outdoors.
May 18, 2007 - Kassam Rockets Strike Sderot
The Israeli city of Sderot has been under attack since the night of May 15, with over 60 Kassam rockets being launched into the town and the surrounding area. 
Two women were seriously wounded after the rockets hit their homes. Others were treated for injuries and shock. Another rocket hit a high school on May 17. Hamas, the Palestinian government, is responsible for the attack.
Please check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/sderot2007
Two women were seriously wounded after the rockets hit their homes. Others were treated for injuries and shock. Another rocket hit a high school on May 17. Hamas, the Palestinian government, is responsible for the attack.Please check out this video:
http://www.youtube.com/sderot2007
Bibliography
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Israel
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http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Politics/how_govt_works.html
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http://www.science.co.il/Outmain.asp?uri=www.knesset.gov.il/description/eng/eng_mimshal_beh.htm
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http://www.bicom.org.uk/about_israel/political_structure/
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_system
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http://www.terra.es/personal2/monolith/israel.htm
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http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2006-04/28/content_579323.htm
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http://www.israelemb.org/articles/2007/April/2007042301.htm
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http://www.israelemb.org/articles/2007/may/2007051800.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Politics_of_Israel
2.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Politics/how_govt_works.html
3.
http://www.science.co.il/Outmain.asp?uri=www.knesset.gov.il/description/eng/eng_mimshal_beh.htm
4.
http://www.bicom.org.uk/about_israel/political_structure/
5.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_system
6.
http://www.terra.es/personal2/monolith/israel.htm
7.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/world/2006-04/28/content_579323.htm
8.
http://www.israelemb.org/articles/2007/April/2007042301.htm
9.
http://www.israelemb.org/articles/2007/may/2007051800.htm
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