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In the photo: Emblem of Israel. The Emblem of the State of Israel (Hebrew: סמל מדינת ישראל) shows a menorah surrounded by an olive branch on each side, and the writing "ישראל" (Hebrew for Israel) below it.
The image used on the emblem is based on a depiction of the menorah on the Arch of Titus (in Rome). The menorah was used in the ancient Temple in Jerusalem and has been a symbol of Judaism since ancient times. It symbolizes universal enlightenment. The emblem may also be based on the vision of the biblical prophet Zechariah, chapter 4, where he describes seeing a menorah flanked by two olive trees, one on each side. The olive branches symbolize peace.
The Israeli Declaration of Independence (Hebrew: הכרזת העצמאות, Hakhrazat HaAtzma'ut or Hebrew: מגילת העצמאות Megilat HaAtzma'ut), made on 14 May 1948 (5 Iyar 5708), the day before the British Mandate was due to expire, was the official announcement that the new Jewish state named the State of Israel had been formally established in parts of what was known as the British Mandate of Palestine and on land where, in antiquity, the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah had once been.
The scroll, which is bound together in three parts, is generally kept in the country's National Archives, though it is currently on display at the Israel Museum.
The President of the State of Israel (Hebrew: נשיא המדינה, Nasi HaMedina, lit. President of the State; Arabic: رئيس الدولة) is the head of state of Israel. The position is largely an apolitical ceremonial figurehead role, with the real executive power lying in the hands of the Prime Minister. Presidents are elected by the Knesset, for a seven year term (from 1993), and are limited to a single term.
The Prime Minister of Israel (Hebrew: ראש הממשלה, Rosh HaMemshala, lit. Head of the Government; Arabic: رئيس الحكومة) is the head of the Israeli government and the most powerful political figure in Israel. The prime minister is the country's chief executive.
Following an election, the President nominates a member of the Knesset to become prime minister after consulting with Knesset party leaders. The nominee becomes prime minister after receiving a vote of confidence in the Knesset.
Selections of Photos of Israel Governments - מבחר תמונות של ממשלות ישראל
The Knesset Speaker is elected by the plenum. The Speaker conducts the affairs of the Knesset, represents it externally, preserves its dignity, the decorum of its sittings and the observance of its Rules of Procedure. The Speaker, or one of his deputies, presides over the sittings of the plenum, conducts them, puts resolutions to the vote and determines the results of these votes. In the absence of the President of the State from the country, the Speaker acts in his place. The Speaker and Deputy Speakers together constitute the Knesset Presidium, which approves the tabling of private Members' bills and the urgency of Motions for the Agenda.
The Supreme Court (Hebrew: בית המשפט העליון, Beit HaMishpat HaElyon, Arabic: المحكمة العليا) is at the head of the court system in the State of Israel. It is the highest judicial instance. The Supreme Court sits in Jerusalem.
The area of its jurisdiction is the entire state. A ruling of the Supreme Court is binding upon every court, other than the Supreme Court itself. This is the principle of binding precedent (stare decisis) in Israel. The Supreme Court is an appellate court, as well as the High Court of Justice. At the present time there are 14 Supreme Court Justices. At the head of the Supreme Court and at the head of the judicial system as a whole stands the President of the Supreme Court. A judge's term ends at 70 years of age, resignation, death, upon appointment to another position that disqualifies him or her, or being removed from office.
The Attorney General of Israel (היועץ המשפטי לממשלה, lit. The Legal Advisor to the Government) stands at the head of the legal system of the executive branch and the head of the public legal establishment, in charge of protecting the rule of law and as such entrusted with protecting the public interest from possible harm by government authorities. It is an independent appointed position which is one of the most important and influential in the Israeli democracy, and a central institution in the framework of the Israeli legal system. Owing to the common law tradition of the domestic legal system, much of the position's duties are not codified in law and have been borne out of precedent and tradition over the years.
The Attorney General has four main duties: Head of the public prosecution system; Representative of the state in all legal proceedings; Chief legal council to the government; Representative of the public interest in any legal matte.
The State Comptroller of Israel (מבקר המדינה, مراقب الدولة) supervises and reviews the policies and operations of the government of the State of Israel. The incumbent is independent of the government and answers to the Knesset alone. The principal function of the state comptroller is to check on the legality, regularity, efficiency, economy, and ethical conduct of public institutions.
By law, the State Comptroller in Israel also functions as Ombudsman ( נציב תלונות הציבור) to whom members of the public may send complaints about actions by governmental bodies that have caused them harm.
The Chief of the General Staff, also known as the Commander-in-Chief of the Israel Defense Forces (Hebrew: ראש המטה הכללי, Rosh HaMateh HaKlali, abbr. Ramatkal—רמטכ"ל), is the supreme commander and Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces. The position of Chief of Staff is defined in the Basic Law: The Military (1976), clause three:
The Chief of Staff is formally appointed once every three years, with the government often extending the term to four years, and in some rare occasions, even five. The rank is "Rav-Aluf" (in Hebrew: רב אלוף), it is equivalent to a 3-Star General (Lieutenant General) in some Armies, but holds a position equivalent to Marshal in others.
The Israel Police (Hebrew: משטרת ישראל, romanized: Mišteret Yisra'el; Arabic: شرطة إسرائيل, romanized: Shurtat Isrāʼīl) is the civilian police force of Israel. As with most other police forces in the world, its duties include crime fighting, traffic control, maintaining public safety, and counter-terrorism. It is under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Public Security.
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