Difference Between President and Prime Minister of Israel

President vs Prime Minister of Israel

Israel has a parliamentary form of government. Here the country has both a President and a Prime Minister. The President is the elected head of the nation for a seven-year term, and the Prime Minister is the appointed head of the government for a four-year term.

The President of Israel
The President of Israel is the head of the State of Israel. He is the ceremonial head of the nation and acts on the advice of the Prime Minister. He is responsible for appointing the Prime Minister who is the leader of the party in the majority. The President’s appointment should have the Knesset’s approval to form the Cabinet.

The President is elected through national election and serves for a seven-year term. The President cannot be re-elected unlike many other countries where the President can run for the next term. In 2000, the President’s term was increased to seven years which earlier was five years, and the President could run for the next term. There is no Vice-President in Israel.

The President is responsible for signing all laws and treaties. He/she is responsible for appointing judges, the Governor of the Bank of Israel, ambassadors to different countries, and other highly placed officials. He/she can also dissolve the Knesset on the recommendation of the Prime Minister when required.

The Prime Minister of Israel
The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the leading political party in Israel. He/she is selected by the President of the nation and is given 45 days to form the Cabinet and show that his party is in the majority. The Prime Minister is the chief executive of the government and is the most powerful person in the nation. The Prime Minister is responsible for handling all decisions, interacting with other nations, forming policies on behalf of the President along with the approval of the Knesset members.

The Prime Minister of Israel is appointed for a four-year term. He/she is responsible for choosing members of his Cabinet and may change the ministries of the ministers when needed with the approval of the Knesset.

He/she is the chief adviser to the President. Along with the Knesset, all the major decisions are handled by the Prime Minister; he/she is not only an appointed head but also chosen by the people indirectly as the political party voted by the people forms the government.

Summary:

1.Israel has a parliamentary form of government where both the President and Prime Minister represent the country. 2.The President of Israel is the elected head of the State; whereas, the Prime Minister is the appointed head of the government.
3.The President serves a seven-year term and cannot be re-elected for the next term; the Prime Minister is appointed for a four-year term and can run for the next term.
4.The President is the ceremonial head of the nation; the Prime Minister is the chief executive of Israel.