Legislation9/6/2026

80 Basic Law Proposals Were Submitted During the 25th Knesset

During the four-year term of the 25th Knesset, Knesset members submitted 80 proposals for new Basic Laws and amendments to existing Basic Laws. Some of the changes passed all stages of legislation within two weeks to one month, even though the Basic Laws play a constitutional role in Israel.

Key facts

•80 proposals for Basic Laws and amendments over four years
•The 25th Knesset
•Five amendments were adopted within two weeks to one month
•45 days—the standard waiting period for a private member’s bill
•January 2024—the High Court of Justice struck down the amendment concerning the reasonableness doctrine
•July 2026—Basic Law: Torah Study was adopted

Why the Basic Laws Are Easy to Change

Israel does not have a single written constitution: since the adoption of the “Harari Resolution” in 1950, the intention has been to formulate it gradually through separate Basic Laws. However, no special procedure was established for enacting and protecting them. As a rule, a bill passes three readings, as does an ordinary law, and is adopted by a simple majority of the Knesset members present. Amending certain provisions requires a majority of 61 or 80 Knesset members.

A Sharp Rise in the Number of Initiatives

According to data presented by Zman.co.il, based on the Israel Democracy Institute, 80 proposals for Basic Laws and amendments to them were submitted during the 25th Knesset. In the past, the rate stood at about 30 such initiatives per decade. The institute also counted 263 proposals that, in its view, could harm democratic institutions, values or rights; 28 of them were approved, and 51 concerned Basic Laws.

Which Amendments Were Adopted Through an Expedited Process

During the Knesset’s first year in office, five amendments completed the legislative process within two weeks to one month each. They included the abolition of the reasonableness doctrine in Basic Law: The Judiciary, the expansion of the “Norwegian Law” in Basic Law: The Knesset, the “Deri Law” and the prime minister incapacity law in Basic Law: The Government, as well as an amendment to Basic Law: The State Economy. Two proposals were advanced as private members’ bills and were exempted from the 45-day waiting period.

What Remained in Force

In January 2024, the High Court of Justice struck down an amendment to a Basic Law for the first time—the abolition of the reasonableness doctrine. The change to the composition of the Judicial Selection Committee was adopted in March 2025; it is due to take effect at the start of the next Knesset’s term. In July 2026, shortly before the Knesset was dissolved, Basic Law: Torah Study was also adopted, enshrining Torah study as a fundamental value in the heritage of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.

What this means for you

The fundamental rules governing the operation of the state and the protection of rights in Israel can be changed through a process similar to that used to enact an ordinary law, sometimes without prolonged public debate. For residents, this means that changes to the powers of the government, the courts and other state institutions may take effect relatively quickly. However, in one case the High Court of Justice has already struck down an amendment to a Basic Law, while the other changes mentioned remained in force unless otherwise stated in the source.

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