The first elections to the Knesset, the Israeli parliament, were held on 25 January 1949, and the first session was held on 14 February, which fell on Jewish Arbor Day ("Tu b'Shvat"). During its first year the Knesset met in Tel Aviv, and afterward in a building on Jerusalem's King George Street. The present Knesset building, construction of which was made possible by a contribution from the Rothschild family, was dedicated in 1966. The architect was Joseph Klarwin. Besides the main chamber, where the plenum meets, and rooms for each Knesset committee, there are also rooms for the parties represented in the parliament, a room for cabinet meetings, a foyer for receptions, a library, a syngaogue, and a press room. On display in the building are works by Marc Chagall and by Israeli artists including Reuven Rubin, Danny Karavan, and others. |
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