Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Israel

23/10/2026

Israel Votes 2026! Part 2/4
How are elections held?

Election Day in Israel falls on a Tuesday, a tradition dating back to the country's first elections. In the early years of the state, not every community had a polling station nearby, and Tuesday gave voters enough time after Shabbat to travel and cast their ballot. While transportation has improved dramatically since then, the tradition remains.
Making sure that every citizen can vote is a central principle of the process. Special polling stations are set up for people who cannot easily reach a regular voting location, helping ensure broad participation across society. Election Day is also a national holiday, giving Israelis the opportunity not only to vote, but also to spend time with family and friends before gathering in the evening to follow the results.
The voting process itself reflects Israel's unique history. When the first election was held in 1949, many citizens of the young state spoke different languages and had only recently arrived from around the world. To make voting as accessible as possible, parties were assigned short letter combinations rather than requiring voters to read lengthy party names. More than seventy years later, Israelis still cast their vote in essentially the same way: by selecting the ballot of their preferred party and placing it in the envelope.
Born out of the practical realities of a new and diverse state, this system has remained one of the most distinctive features of Israeli democracy.

22/10/2026

Israel Votes 2026! 🗳 Part 1/4
How is the election organized in Israel?

Why does Israel vote for parties rather than individual candidates? The answer goes back to the country's early years. Israel's founding leaders, most notably the first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, envisioned elections as a competition of ideas, movements, and political visions rather than personalities. More than seven decades later, that principle still shapes every election, although individuals play a much bigger role today.
The election rules have evolved over time. While the electoral threshold was once at 1 percent, growing concerns about political fragmentation led lawmakers, first in 1992, to raise it gradually. Today, parties must clear a bar of 3.25 percent to enter the Knesset.
Meanwhile, Israel has chosen a remarkably simple model: the entire country forms a single electoral district. Whether a voter lives in Eilat, Haifa, Jerusalem, or Tel Aviv, every ballot carries the same weight. Voting from abroad or before Election Day, however, is generally not possible. Overseeing the process is the Central Elections Committee, chaired by a Supreme Court justice, ensuring that elections are administered fairly and according to the law.
A system designed to combine equal representation, political diversity, and national cohesion, yet one that continues to shape the country's politics in unexpected ways.

22/10/2026

One week ahead of the Knesset elections and three years after October 7, a delegation from CDU Saxony and CDU/CSU group in the German federal parliament visited Israel to gain firsthand insights into a country shaped by innovation, security challenges and a profound culture of remembrance.

The visit focused on the future of healthcare and research, the growing role of artificial intelligence in medicine, and the importance of German-Israeli relations. Discussions with Herzliya Mayor Yariv Fisher, whose city is twinned with Leipzig, and other key decision-makers highlighted the enduring value of the German-Israeli partnership, particularly in challenging times.

Among the most moving moments were visits to Kibbutz Be’eri, the site of the Nova Music Festival massacre, and Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. These encounters offered powerful insights into the lasting impact of October 7 on Israeli society and the importance of remembrance.

21/10/2026

Israel Votes 2026!
On 27 October, Israelis head to the polls to elect the next Knesset.
But behind a single election day lies one of the world's most fascinating electoral systems. No constituencies. No direct vote for prime minister. And political surprises can emerge long after the ballots are counted.
Over the coming days, we'll explore what makes elections in Israel unique, how votes become seats, and why every ballot can matter.
If you think you know how elections work, Israel might surprise you. Follow along!

16/10/2026

This week, a truly unique delegation from Jerusalem visited Berlin.

Together with the Jerusalem Foundation, KAS Israel hosted participants of the Shai Doron Leadership Program in Germany’s capital. Through meetings with political decision-makers, civil society actors, and representatives of German-Israeli relations, the delegation gained valuable insights into current debates in Berlin, the state of civil society, and the dynamics shaping German-Israeli relations today.

At the same time, the visit provided German policymakers and members of civil society with the opportunity to engage with a side of Jerusalem that is often overlooked in media coverage. The participants represent the city’s diverse communities, come from different neighborhoods and backgrounds, and embody Jerusalem’s rich social fabric. Their engagement and collaboration demonstrate that dialogue, cooperation, and shared leadership across communities are not only possible, but already taking place.

The delegation created meaningful opportunities for exchange, mutual learning, and a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing both societies. Building personal connections and fostering open dialogue remains more important than ever.

A heartfelt thank you to our partners at the Jerusalem Foundation, as well as to all experts, practitioners, and decision-makers who contributed to the success of this inspiring visit. We are grateful for the openness, insights, and conversations that made this delegation such a valuable experience for everyone involved.

13/10/2026

Last week, the first cohort of our Local Government Seminar: A Comparative Perspective 🇩🇪🤝🇮🇱 came together for the first of six preparatory learning sessions ahead of a study trip to Germany.

The program is a joint initiative of the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel, the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Israel, and the The Open University of Israel.

Building on the extensive academic work of the School of Local Government, jointly operated by the Federation of Local Authorities in Israel and the Open University of Israel, this initiative expands learning opportunities for local government professionals. The School offers undergraduate and graduate programs tailored to the needs of professionals working in local authorities.

Now, we’re taking learning beyond national borders! 🌍 The program provides an opportunity to explore different models of local government, engage in comparative learning, and exchange knowledge, ideas, and practical tools to strengthen local governance in Israel.

A heartfelt thank-you to our partners for their outstanding collaboration, and to everyone involved in bringing this initiative to life.

We look forward to an inspiring journey of learning, international cooperation, and fresh perspectives on the future of local government! 🤝

12/10/2026

שלטון מקומי בגרמניה - מבט השוואתי | יוצאים לדרך!

השבוע נפגשה לראשונה הכיתה המשתתפת בקורס "שלטון מקומי בגרמניה - מבט השוואתי", למפגש הכנה ולמידה ראשון מתוך שישה, לקראת נסיעת לימודים לגרמניה.
התוכנית מתקיימת במסגרת שיתוף פעולה בין מרכז השלטון המקומי, קרן קונרד אדנאואר והאוניברסיטה הפתוחה.

התוכנית היא המשך ישיר לפעילות האקדמית הענפה המתקיימת במסגרת בית הספר לשלטון מקומי המשותף למרכז השלטון המקומי ולאוניברסיטה הפתוחה, הכוללת תוכניות לתואר ראשון ולתואר שני המותאמות לעובדות ולעובדי השלטון המקומי. כעת הלמידה מתרחבת לזירה הבינלאומית, במטרה להיחשף למודלים אחרים של שלטון מקומי, להשוות ולהחליף ידע, רעיונות וכלים חדשים לעשייה ברשויות המקומיות בישראל.

במפגש השתתפו ד"ר מיכאל רימל, פלינה קדם מקרן קונרד אדנאואר, וד"ר הילה זהבי, שמובילה את הקורס במקצועיות ובמסירות, ואילנית דהאן גדש, ראש מנהל לימודים במרכז השלטון המקומי.

תודה אישית לפרופ' ארז צפדיה, למיכל צנטר ושרית אבישי מהאוניברסיטה הפתוחה על שיתוף פעולה יוצא דופן, ולשירי שטיינהרט - סלע, לשעבר ראש מנהל קשרי חוץ במרכז השלטון המקומי על התנעה והובלת המיזם.

Ilanit Dahan
Erez Tzfadia
Steinhardt-Sela

08/10/2026