MONGABAY.COM
Mongabay.com seeks to raise interest in and appreciation of wild lands and wildlife, while examining the impact of emerging trends in climate, technology, economics, and finance on conservation and development (more)
WEEKLY NEWSLETTER
|
|
Israel
Index
Government: Republic and parliamentary democracy headed
by president, titular head of state. Executive power wielded by
prime minister and cabinet ministers representing dominant
political blocs in Knesset, to which they are collectively
responsible. Knesset is unicameral parliament of 120 members
elected at-large every four years as a rule by direct secret ballot
and under system of proportional representation; voting for party
lists rather than individual candidates. Electoral system remains
object of political reform. Government system based on no
comprehensive written constitution but nine Basic Laws enacted by
Knesset. Efforts to introduce constitution delineating principle of
separation of powers and establishing supremacy of civil law and
secular bill of rights have so far met resistance. Judiciary
independent and comprises secular, religious, and military courts.
Integrity and performance of governmental system checked by
independent and influential ombudsman, Office of the State
Comptroller.
Politics: Multiparty system divided into four main
categories: left-of-center parties, right-of-center parties, rightwing religious parties, and Arab parties. Inconclusive twelfth
Knesset election held in November 1988 repeated pattern of 1984
Knesset elections with neither major party able to form cohesive
coalition government without other's equal participation. This
resulted in formation of National Unity Government. Long-term
electoral trends, however, indicated upswing in support for rightof -center parties.
Administrative Divisions: Divided into six administrative
districts and fourteen subdistricts under ultimate jurisdiction of
Ministry of Interior. Occupied territories of West Bank and Gaza
Strip and annexed Golan Heights administered by Israel Defense
Forces.
Foreign Affairs: Foreign policy chiefly influenced by
Israel's strategic situation, Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and
rejection of Israel by most Arab states. Diplomatic relations
established with Egypt following 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty,
and Israel maintained de facto peaceful relationship with Jordan.
General consensus in Israel over terms of 1978 Camp David Accords,
but disagreement over principle of exchanging land for peace,
particularly over West Bank, and direct negotiations with Palestine
Liberation Organization.
Data as of December 1988
|
|