Harari Decision

The Harari Decision (also known as the Harari Proposal) is a resolution of the first Knesset initiated by Knesset member Yizhar Harari from the Progressive Party. The resolution, which was passed on June 13, 1950, states that the first Knesset will not enact a constitution for the State of Israel, and that the constitution will be written in chapters, called "Basic Laws" that will finally be incorporated into the entire state constitution. As a result of this decision, the State of Israel does not have a written constitution, and many important territories are not regulated by the constitution.

Historical and legal background

The first Knesset was called the "constituent assembly" and the elections to the first Knesset were called the "constituent assembly elections". In the Declaration of Independence, only one action was explicitly stated that the Constituent Assembly must perform: the establishment of elected authorities in accordance with the Constitution. From this it was implied that the Constituent Assembly had to establish a constitution for the State of Israel.

WE DECLARE that, with effect from the moment of the termination of the Mandate being tonight, the eve of Sabbath, the 6th Iyar, 5708 (15th May, 1948), until the establishment of the elected, regular authorities of the State in accordance with the Constitution which shall be adopted by the Elected Constituent Assembly not later than the 1st October 1948, the People's Council shall act as a Provisional Council of State, and its executive organ, the People's Administration, shall be the Provisional Government of the Jewish State, to be called "Israel".