Israel
2026
- GOVERNMENT
- parliamentary democracy
- CONSTITUTION
- there is no written constitution, but a set of laws approved by Parliament regulates constitutional rights and institutional activities. Since May 2003, the Constitutional Committee has been working on drafting a proper constitutional text
- LEGAL SYSTEM
- based on common law and, for individual rights, on Jewish, Christian, and Muslim codes
- LEGISLATIVE SYSTEM
- unicameral, Parliament (Knesset)
- JUDICIAL SYSTEM
- Supreme Court (judges appointed by the Judicial Selection Committee. Mandatory retirement at 70 years)
RELIGIONS
76% Jews, 16% Muslims, Christians
From the country
- JANUARY 23, 2001IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The Reverend Rob Marshall criticised the disgraceful...
The Reverend Rob Marshall criticised the disgraceful actions of the Palestinian Authority and its show trials
- JANUARY 17, 2001IsraelDEATH PENALTY
Meretz leader Yossi Sarid condemned the executions:...
Meretz leader Yossi Sarid condemned the executions: "As a person who opposes assassinations of Palestinians by Israel, I believe I have the full moral authority to call on the PA to stop the executions," he said
- JANUARY 14, 2001IsraelDEATH PENALTY
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak denounced the Palestinian...
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak denounced the Palestinian Authority's execution of two collaborators convicted of helping Israel pinpoint and kill Palestinian activists during the current uprising
- JANUARY 1, 2001IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes...
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954
- NOVEMBER 5, 2000IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The Chechen man who hijacked a Dagestan airliner and...
The Chechen man who hijacked a Dagestan airliner and forced it to land in Israel was handed over to Russian authorities after they pledged not to seek the death penalty for the crime
- JUNE 2, 2000IsraelDEATH PENALTY
Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer wrote a private letter...
Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer wrote a private letter to the attorney-general
- APRIL 26, 2000IsraelDEATH PENALTY
Israel cosponsored the resolution on the death penalty...
Israel cosponsored the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights on April 26 (no
- FEBRUARY 21, 2000IsraelDEATH PENALTY
Amnon Cohen, the man who asked to become the first...
Amnon Cohen, the man who asked to become the first Israeli sentenced to death, expressed deep regret and asked his family for forgiveness at the Tel Aviv District Court
- JANUARY 1, 2000IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes...
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954
- DECEMBER 1, 1999IsraelDEATH PENALTY
In December, Israel Foreign Minister David Levi has...
In December, Israel Foreign Minister David Levi has been trying to persuade the Thai authorities not to execute two Israelis - Yosef Ohana and Avraham Huri - who were sentenced to death after being convicted of drug trafficking
- APRIL 28, 1999IsraelDEATH PENALTY
Israel was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death...
Israel was a cosponsor of the resolution on the death penalty approved by the UN Commission on Human Rights on April 28 (1999/61)
- JANUARY 1, 1999IsraelDEATH PENALTY
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes...
The country has been abolitionist for ordinary crimes since 1954