The Israeli government
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The Knesset building is where the Israeli parliament meets.
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Israel is a parliamentary democracy with executive, legislative and judicial branches. Its unicameral parliament -- the Knesset -- consists of 120 members who choose a president as the head of state. Voters directly elect the prime minister, who heads the government.
Israel's unique election system allows voters to cast their ballots for a prime minister from one party and, if they wish, switch to another party when they choose members of the Knesset.
On October 30, 2002, the governing coalition led by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who also heads the Likud party, collapsed when the Labor Party pulled out, citing Sharon's refusal to reduce money earmarked for Jewish settlements and divert the savings to social programs.
With Labor's 24 members, including seven ministers, out of his government and Sharon unable to form a new coalition that would give him a majority in the Knesset, a national election for prime minister and Knesset seats was set for January 28, 2003.
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