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The Knesset

  • Knesset, Kiryat Ben-Gurion, Jerusalem
  • Photo: The KnessetPhoto: The Knesset

TripAdvisor Reviews

TripAdvisor ReviewsBased on 339 traveler reviews
"Nice free tour but not “must do”"
TripAdvisor RatingReviewed on January 2, 2023

The Knesset, Israel’s version of Congress, offers free tours in English for individual walk-ins on Sunday’s and Thursdays at 8:30, 12:00, and 2:00. According to the website, the tour allows a maximum of 50 participants. You do not need reservations - just show up and tell the guard at the entrance you are...

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The Knesset, Israel’s version of Congress, offers free tours in English for individual walk-ins on Sunday’s and Thursdays at 8:30, 12:00, and 2:00. According to the website, the tour allows a maximum of 50 participants. You do not need reservations - just show up and tell the guard at the entrance you are coming for the tour. You must bring your passport to enter the building, and you will walk through an x-ray machine. I had a bag with food and water and that was no problem. Our tour was led by Moshe, originally from Philadelphia, so he spoke perfect American English. The tour lasted an hour, and we learned about the Israeli election process, walked into the main chamber where the Knesset members meet, and saw other interesting artifacts and art work. Bathrooms are available. This is not a *must do* for first time visitors to Israel (I’d suggest the Israel Museum and Yad Vashem way ahead of this) but if you’ve been to Israel before and are looking for something new for an hour or so, this is a nice addition. It took about 20 minutes to walk from Ben Yehuda.

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"Parliament is a fine building"
TripAdvisor RatingReviewed on November 15, 2022

Israel has a unicameral Parliament. Think of the United States without a Senate, or States. The Knesset has 120 members; this is the Legislative branch. There is also a Cabinet; this is the Executive branch. The Courts form the Judicial branch. The President is largely ceremonial. The Local and Regional governments handle lower-level issues....

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Israel has a unicameral Parliament. Think of the United States without a Senate, or States. The Knesset has 120 members; this is the Legislative branch. There is also a Cabinet; this is the Executive branch. The Courts form the Judicial branch. The President is largely ceremonial. The Local and Regional governments handle lower-level issues. The Knesset is elected by nation-wide elections. The Knesset first met in 1949; it had no permanent home until 1966. The Knesset was constructed following a philanthropic donation by James "Jimmy" de Rothschild. The Knesset is a fine building, but please check that it is open when you want to attend.

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"Accessible and Fascinating"
TripAdvisor RatingReviewed on January 16, 2020

The Knesset is a wonder of modern Israel and is incredibly accessible and entirely worth a visit. Highly recommended!