How Many Seats Are in the Israeli Parliament and How They Are Distributed

The Israeli Parliament, known as the Knesset, houses 120 members. This system of representation is designed to reflect the will of the Israeli people through a proportional representation method. In this article, we will explore how the seats in the Israeli Parliament are allocated and how that system works.

Overview of the Israeli Parliamentary System

Israel operates under a parliamentary system where voters cast their ballots for a political party rather than individual candidates. The parliamentary system in Israel ensures that political parties are represented in the Knesset (Parliament) in proportion to the number of votes they receive during the elections. This method of representation contributes to a multi-party political landscape and can sometimes lead to coalition governments, reflecting the diverse political spectrum in the country.

How Seats are Allocated

The Knesset has a total of 120 members who are allocated based on the percentage of votes each party receives in the national election. This process is known as proportional representation. The more votes a party receives, the more seats it will gain in the parliament. Each party submits a list of candidates, with the party leaders typically appearing at the top and lower-ranking candidates appended below.

Party List System

When a party wins enough votes to secure a minimum number of seats, as determined by the "mandatim" threshold, they begin to allocate seats to their candidates from the top of the list. For instance, if a party wins 2% of the votes, they would receive 2% of the total seats in the Knesset, which amounts to 2.4 seats. Since fractional seats cannot be awarded, the party will receive the next whole number of seats based on the distribution, which in this case is 3 seats.

The Mandatim Threshold

Israel has a "mandatim" threshold, which is the minimum number of votes a party must receive to win a seat in the Knesset. As of the most recent election, this threshold is set at 3.3%. This means that a party must receive at least 3.3% of the valid votes cast in the national election to secure a minimum of one seat. However, this threshold can change depending on the number of votes cast and the total number of valid ballots. Majority parties, known as fully represented parties, need to secure at least 4 mandates, or 4% of the valid votes, to gain entry into the parliament.

Implications for Minor Parties

Parties that do not meet the 3.3% threshold will not gain any seats in the Knesset and, consequently, will not have a presence in the Israeli legislative body. This can have significant implications for small or fringe political parties that may struggle to garner sufficient support in the electorate. Even if a party secured seats based on a higher percentage of votes, the requirement of 4 "mandatim" ensures that they can only enter the parliament if they have enough support to win at least 4% of the valid votes.

Conclusion

The Israeli Parliament, or Knesset, consists of 120 members elected through a proportional representation system that ensures parties are represented in proportion to their electoral success. The allocation of seats is determined by the percentage of votes a party receives, with specific thresholds for both minor and full-entry parties. This system helps maintain a balanced and diverse political landscape in Israel.