Legislation10/28/2026

How the Law Restricts a Member of Knesset from Crossing to Another Political Camp

In the absence of a clear parliamentary majority, individual Members of Knesset may provide the decisive votes needed to form a government. However, Basic Law: The Knesset establishes serious consequences for a Member of Knesset who acts alone against the position of their parliamentary group on a vote of confidence in the government.

Key facts

•Statutory provision: Section 6A(b) of Basic Law: The Knesset
•Departure threshold: at least one-third of the parliamentary group
•Minimum size of the departing group: two Members of Knesset
•No legal proceeding is mentioned in the source
•The publication date is not specified in the material provided

When a Member of Knesset May Be Declared a Defector

Under Section 6A(b) of Basic Law: The Knesset, a Member of Knesset who votes against the position of their parliamentary group in a vote of confidence or no confidence in the government may, under certain conditions, be deemed a defector. Such a Member of Knesset may not join another parliamentary group during the term of the current Knesset or obtain a government position through it. In the next election, they also may not run on behalf of a party represented in the current Knesset, and the Knesset Rules of Procedure will not permit them to submit motions of no confidence in the government.

Lawful Departure by a Group

These sanctions do not apply if at least one-third of the parliamentary group's members leave it, provided that the group numbers at least two people. For example, three Members of Knesset may leave a nine-member parliamentary group, establish an independent parliamentary group and conduct coalition negotiations. Such a move is considered a permitted split of a parliamentary group rather than an individual defection.

Splitting a Joint List

Another option exists if the joint list of candidates was originally formed by two or more parties. The Members of Knesset may split according to their original party affiliations, subject to the law and the agreements submitted when the list was registered. The source gives as examples several current alliances, including “Yachad” and “Yesh Atid”; Hadash, Ta'al and Balad; as well as “Religious Zionism” and “Zehut.”

A Vote Followed by Resignation

Another option described concerns a Member of Knesset who supported the formation of a government by the opposing camp and resigned from the Knesset immediately after the vote. In such a case, the member is not deemed a defector, making it theoretically possible to offer them, for example, a ministerial position. This route may help form a minority government, but the source emphasizes the political risk involved.

What this means for you

For voters, this means that an individual Member of Knesset's move between political camps is significantly restricted, but a group departure or a split of a joint list remains possible. Accordingly, the composition of the coalition after an election may change without a new election if the Members of Knesset comply with the conditions prescribed by law. The source does not describe a final court ruling or a new legislative amendment.

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