The AJE Jerusalem 3000 Educator's Resource

The Knesset

The Knesset is Israel's parliament. The Hebrew word 'knesset' means 'assembly'.The Knesset took its name and the number of its members from the Anshei Knesset Hagedolah of the early Second Temple period.

It is a long low structure of Jerusalem stone, with its lower stories built into the hillside. It is located in Rechov Eliezer Kaplan, opposite the Israel Museum. In 1948, the first Knesset session opened in Jerusalem and continued its sittings in Tel Aviv in a converted cinema. In December 1949, the seat of government was established in Jerusalem and the Knesset moved back, to temporary quarters in Rechov King George, now a tourist information centre.

The permanent Knesset building, erected mainly with funds donated by the Rothschild family, was opened in August 1966.

It contains a spacious reception hall with tapestries by Marc Chagall who also designed the wall mosaic and the mosaic paved floor. The main chamber has seats for the 120 members, a gallery for important visitors and a gallery for the press and public. There is also a synagogue, library, public restaurant, committee rooms and rooms for members. The entrance gates were designed by David Palombo.

The Knesset building and its environs are protected by special law, which lay down that within a certain radius from the centre of the building no demonstration or assembly may take place without the Speaker's permission, no person can be arrested without his leave and no person may bear arms unless licensed by him.

Israel is run by the Knesset, a democratically-elected, single chamber parliament representing more than 20 political parties, and by a prime minister and cabinet. Elections for the 120 seats take place every four years or when the ruling parties lose the support of the Knesset. A system of courts, headed by a Supreme Court, reviews the laws of the Knesset when necessary.

The Knesset is the supreme authority in the State. It elects the President; the Government takes office only with its formal approval and must resign if it loses the confidence of the Knesset. Its legislative acts are generally immune from challenge in the courts.

At the entrance stands a large sculptured menorah presented to Israel by the British parliament.

The AJE Jerusalem 3000 Educator's Resource

The Knesset Menorah

Opposite the entrance to the Knesset stands a large bronze menorah. It is 5 metres high and 4 metres wide, and was sculpted by Benno Elkan.

The seven branches are decorated with 29 panels representing figures and events which are highlights in the history and revival of the Jewish people. On the central pillar are the words "Shema Yisrael".

This menorah was presented to Israel as a gift from Britain. The nearby inscription reads:

"Following on the visit of the British Parliamentary Delegation to Israel, friends and well-wishers of the young State, members of both Houses of Parliament and others evolved the idea of presenting this menorah as a gift from Britain to the Parliament of Israel, as a token of goodwill and friendship."

The Menorah is the symbol of the modern State of Israel and is found on all government buildings, in the courts of laws and Israeli embassies throughout the world.