Major Knesset Debates
(1948 - 1981)
- The Altalena Incident - June 23, 1948 [pdf]
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On May 26, 1948, an agreement had been reached between representatives of the Haganah and the Irgun Zvai Leumi (IZL), according to which the IZL would voluntarily disband "within the frontiers of Israel" and its members join the Israel Defense Forces. Since Jerusalem had not been formally incorporated into the state, the IZL insisted on its right to maintain its independent existence there, and during the first truce brought a ship - the Altalena - to Israel, loaded with volunteers and arms.
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Law of Return - July 3, 1950 [pdf]
- Two years after the establishment of the state, the government presented the Law of Return to the Knesset, granting every Jew the right to immigrate to Israel.
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Post-World War II Reparations from Germany - Janauary 7, 1952 [pdf]
- The State of Israel came into existence only a few years after the end of World War II. In September 1951, German Chancellor Adenauer declared that he considered an "obligation of the German people to make compensation to the Jews." The issue gave rise to one of the most dramatic, soul-searching and heated debates in the Knesset, which took place against the background of a violent demonstration in which stones were thrown into the building.
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The Eichmann Trial - June 8, 1960 [pdf]
- While the trial of one of the most notorious Nazi criminals, Adolf Eichmann, was being conducted, a significant constitutional issue was raised in the Knesset.
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The Six-Day War - June 5, 1967 [pdf]
- Speech by Prime Minister Levi Eshkol describing the course of the Six-Day War. During his statement, Jordanian artillery was shelling Jerusalem, including the Knesset building, and the session took place in the basement shelter.
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The Allon Plan - September 21, 1976
- Following the publication of an article in Foreign Affairs detailing the principles underlying Israel's defenition of secure and defensible borders, the Knesset convened to debate Foreign Minister Yigal Allon's plan.
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The Camp David Accords - September 25, 1978 [pdf]
- On September 5, 1978, Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egyptian President Anwar Sadat arrived at Camp David, Maryland, a White House retreat. After twelve days in isolation, they signed the Camp D
- Basic Law: Jerusalem the Capital of Israel - July 23, 1980 [pdf]
Sources: Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs |