True or false: Members are immune from prosecution

12 of 15

Parliamentary immunity

Members are protected for official actions, but since 2005 they have no automatic immunity from indictment.

A member cannot be prosecuted for a vote, speech or action within their duties. This immunity cannot be removed.

All steps in text

A member cannot be prosecuted for a vote, speech or action within their duties. This immunity cannot be removed.
Until 2005, Knesset members had automatic immunity from prosecution, and the Knesset had to lift it.
Since 2005 the rule is reversed: a Knesset member facing an indictment must request immunity, and the Knesset decides by vote.
There are also protections against arrest and search, with exceptions.

✗Common assumption Members are immune from prosecution.

✓In practice Not automatically. Since 2005, a Knesset member must request immunity, and the Knesset must approve it in a vote.

An immunity request is a political decision made through an open vote. You can check who voted how.

See at the Supreme Court: Ometz v. Rochberger

Updated on 28 October 2026. The explanations were rewritten in plain language using official sources and are not legal advice.

Quiz

A few short questions on this explainer. Your answers and score stay in your browser only.