BASIC LAW: THE PRESIDENT OF THE STATE

   Passed on 16 June 1964 by the fifth Knesset. The law was basically a reenactment of previous instructions, which were scattered in other laws. It deals with the status of the president of the state, his election by the Knesset, his qualifications and powers, and the procedures of his work. Among other provisions, the law provides that

   A President shall stand at the head of the State. . . . The place of residence of the President of the State shall be Jerusalem.. . . The President of the State shall be elected by the Knesset for five years [now amended to one seven-year term]. The election of the President of the State shall be by secret ballot at a meeting of the Knesset assigned only for that purpose. . . . The candidate who has received the votes of a majority of the Members of the Knesset is elected. . . . (a) The President of the State (1) shall sign every Law, other than a Law relating to its powers; (2) shall take action to achieve the formation of a Government and shall receive the resignation of the Government in accordance with Law; (3) shall receive from the Government a report on its meetings; (4) shall accredit the diplomatic representatives of the State, shall receive the credentials of diplomatic representatives sent to Israel by foreign states, shall empower the consular representatives of the State and shall confirm the appointments of consular representatives sent to Israel by foreign states; (5) shall sign such conventions with foreign states as have been ratified by the Knesset; (6) shall carry out every function assigned to him by Law in connection with the appointment and removal from office of judges and other office-holder's. (b) The President of the State shall have power to pardon offenders and to lighten penalties by the reduction or commutation thereof. (c) The President of the State shall carry out every other function and have every other power assigned to him by Law.