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Israel: Government

Key Figures

Chief of State:
President Issac Herzog
Head of Government:
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

Overview

Government Name:
State of Israel
Constitution:
No formal constitution, but has separate "Basic Laws" that establish a parliamentary system as a democratic republic, declares territories, freedoms of citizens, and separation of powers among executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
Government Type:
Parliamentary Democracy
State of Israel Flag
Coat of Arms of State of Israel

Index of Economic Freedom

Grades each country on a scale of 0 to 100, based on ten freedoms, with 100 representing the greatest amount of economic autonomy from government intervention. Source: Heritage Foundation (2023)

Country Risk Rating

A2
The political and economic situation is good. A basically stable and efficient business environment nonetheless leaves room for improvement. Corporate default probability is low on average. Source: Coface (2023)

Government Branches

Main Powers Election Process Election Cycle 1
Executive

The president is largely a ceremonial role. The president designates a prime minister to head the government. The prime minister is responsible for the executive tasks of the government.

The president is elected by parliament. The prime minister is appointed by the president.

President: 7 years; Prime Minister: 4 years
Judicial

Highest court of the land and is responsible for upholding the law during conflicts.

Judges are selected by the judicial selection committee, made up of all three branches of the government and chaired by the minister of justice.

Mandatory retirement age of 70
Legislative

Approves the designated prime minister, can have a no-confidence vote and dissolve government, and is responsible for creating legislature.

120 members are elected through a closed-list proportional representation system.

4 years

Regional Trade Blocs

No Regional Trade Blocs

International Organization Participation [2]

Environmental Agreements [3]

Tax Information [2]

Tax Authority:
Israel Tax Authority
Tax Name:
VAT

Sources:

  1. ElectionGuide http://www.electionguide.org/
  2. EY, http://www.ey.com
  3. CIA World Factbook, https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
  4. U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/