Since arriving in Israel, I’ve voted in 13 Knesset elections, changing parties several times, and between 1995 and 2025, the country saw 7 different prime ministers. As of today (the 25th Knesset, sworn in November 1, 2022), there are 12 political parties represented in the 120-member parliament, each having surpassed the 3.25 % electoral threshold.

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Over the workshop of the next 1.5 hours, we shall undertake a systematic examination of Israel’s legislative body, elucidating the mechanisms by which its proportional representation system engenders a highly pluralistic parliamentary composition. 

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Our analysis will proceed in three interrelated phases:

1. Institutional Foundations: The Knesset’s authority is based on a set of laws and statutes.

2. Societal Cleavages and Political Expression: Through a review of empirical case studies, we shall explore the representation of Mizrahi, Ashkenazi, ultra-Orthodox, Arab-Israeli, and secular constituencies, evaluating the extent to which the Knesset’s composition mirrors broader social conflicts.

3. Coalition Dynamics and Governance: We will investigate the recurrent cycles of coalition formation and dissolution. ​

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By session’s end, you will be equipped to critically appraise the extent to which parliaments in deeply divided societies try to function.