Israel held a national election on October 27, 2026, electing its single-house, 120-member parliament (the Knesset). In the election, Israelis voted for candidates’ lists selected by their respective parties. Under the Basic Law: the Knesset the official election results must be published within eight days of election day. (§ 11.) The official results of the election were published on November 4, 2026, and delivered to Israel’s President Isaac Herzog by the Chairman of the Central Elections Committee, Supreme Court Justice Noam Sohlberg.
When does the Knesset convene following the election?
The Knesset will convene for its first session on November 10, 2026, in compliance with the requirement for convening within 14 days of the election date. (Knesset Law, 5754-1994, (hereinafter Knesset Law) § 1.)
When will a government be confirmed?
As we explained in our post, FALQ: Israel’s Election and Government Formation, to be confirmed, the government needs the support of a relative majority of the Knesset members. (Basic Law: the Government § 13(d).) Obtaining a majority usually involves a complex process that may last up to 103 days from the date of publication of the official results and may lead to a repeat election if no majority is reached.
Can the Knesset act before a new government is formed?
Yes. The Knesset is independent of the government. Until a new government is formed, the outgoing government continues to serve as a transitional government. (Knesset Election Law (Consolidated Version) 6729-1969), § 30(b).) “The fact that the outgoing government serves as a caretaker [transitional] government [link to the post on government formation will be added when published]– and is therefore subject to various restrictions – does not affect the Knesset’s scope of action.”
Among actions that can be carried out even before the government is formed are the election of a new Knesset Speaker (hereinafter the Speaker), the setting up of certain Knesset committees, the promotion and approval of legislation, and the conduct of parliamentary oversight of the caretaker government. The new Knesset operates in accordance with the Knesset’s working procedures, as detailed in Basic Law: The Knesset, the Knesset Law, the Knesset bylaws, and various guidelines (such as those issued by the Knesset’s Legal Counsel).
When and how is the Knesset Speaker elected?
The Speaker is elected by the members of the Knesset during the period between the Knesset swearing-in and the vote of confidence in the government. The election of the Speaker is based on an open vote and requires a simple majority. (Basic Law: the Knesset § 20; Knesset Law § 10; Knesset bylaws, § 2.)
According to the Knesset’s website, the election of the Speaker is customarily the first task of a newly elected Knesset. According to the Knesset Law, the election of the Speaker is followed by the election of up to nine (not eight, as the Knesset website indicates) members that will serve as deputy speakers (together called the “Presidium”; (Knesset Law § 10)).
What is the role of the Knesset Speaker?
According to the Knesset bylaws, “the Speaker manages the Knesset affairs, represents it externally, upholds its dignity, maintains order during its meetings, and ensures adherence to its rules of procedure …The Speaker is responsible for the preparation and execution of the Knesset budget.” (Knesset bylaws, § 6.)
The Speaker determines the agenda for the plenum and presents it to the Knesset Presidium. The Presidium is responsible for approving parliamentary queries, motions for the agenda, and private members’ bills, as well as determining the order in which they are brought before the plenum for discussion.
In the opinion of a scholar, the authority to set the agenda in the plenum is particularly significant in situations “where the opposition seeks to advance legislation in the Knesset … When time is tight, this becomes crucial … If there is now a desire to repeal the law concerning the Attorney General, alter the Judicial Selection Committee, or pursue similar measures, a speaker who facilitates such moves will be essential.”
What is the term of the Speaker’s tenure?
The Speaker’s appointment spans the entire term of the Knesset, unless replaced earlier upon death or resignation, following an indictment or the commencement of criminal proceedings. The Speaker may also be removed based on the approval of a formal complaint against him or her, signed by at least 61 members of the Knesset or initiated by the Ethics Committee and approved by a three-quarters majority of the Knesset Committee and by at least 90 members of the Knesset in the Knesset plenum. (Knesset Law, §§ 7-8.)
What is the role of the Knesset’s organizing committee?
The law requires the Knesset to elect an “organizing committee” (הוועדה המסדרת) soon after its swearing in. The committee is chaired by a Knesset member from the parliamentary group (following the elections, Members of the Knesset act within the framework of parliamentary groups) of the Knesset member whom the President tasked with forming a government. The arrangement committee is composed of representatives of factions with four or more members according to their relative size. (Knesset Law § 2A(a-b).)
The organizing committee will submit for Knesset approval a proposal regarding the composition of the permanent committee. Until the formation of permanent committees, however, the organizing committee can set up one temporary committee for financial matters and one for foreign and security affairs “so they can carry out parliamentary oversight and handle issues within their authority, even before the regular committees are fully established.” (Knesset Law § 2A(c & e.)
Is it possible to advance legislation during this period?
Generally, yes, but the following may have to be considered:
… legislative processes that aim to advance and complete before a government is formed tend to be faster … it’s important, among other things, to explain the urgency, provide sufficient factual basis for the bill, allow members of the Knesset to participate effectively, hear legal advice and input from professional experts, ensure transparency and public involvement, and have a process open to influencing the content of the proposal. Beyond that, alongside the proper process, attention should also be given to the characteristics and consequences of the legislation, including concerns about personal, retroactive laws and harm to reliance (situations where citizens act based on a certain legal status and are affected by a change in the law).
Asaf Shapira, “Explainer: What can a new Knesset do in the meantime?” Israel Democracy Institute (Nov. 1, 2026).
(Courtesy : Library of Congress Blogs)
