The
Government of Israel (officially:
Memshelet Yisrael) exercises
executive authority in the
State of Israel. It consists of
ministers who are chosen and led by the
prime minister. In choosing ministers, the prime minister must appoint members based on the distribution of votes to political parties during parliamentary elections, and the composition of the government must be approved by a vote of the
Knesset (the Israeli parliament). Under Israeli law, the prime minister may dismiss members of the government, but must do so in writing, and new appointees must be approved by the Knesset. Most ministers lead
ministries, though some are
ministers without portfolio. Most ministers are members of the Knesset, though only the Prime Minister and the "
designated acting prime minister" are actually required to be Knesset members. Some ministers are also called deputy and vice prime ministers. Unlike the designated acting prime minister, these roles have no statutory meanings. The government operates in accordance with the
Basic Law. It meets on Sundays weekly in
Jerusalem. There may be additional meetings if circumstances require it. The prime minister convenes these meetings.