Anyone paying the slightest attention to Israeli politics today is probably drowning in a sea of confusion. Don’t worry, you’re not the only one!

After a year of three elections with continuing uncertainty whether there will be yet a fourth round, it’s only rational that many are left scratching their heads wondering how is it that one of the world’s most innovative and creative countries—the start-up nation—can’t figure out how to form a functioning government? Let me try to help you clear up some of the fog.

How Israel ticks

For starters, it’s important to understand Israel’s system of government. Israel functions under what’s called a parliamentary democracy.

In essence, this means that in order to become the prime minister, an elected official must gain enough power to form a government usually comprising most of the seats in parliament.

In Israel’s case, there are 120 seats total in the Kenesset, therefore, one member of Kenesset (MK) usually strives to receive at least 61 recommendations of other MKs...

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