Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel
חוק-יסוד: ירושלים בירת ישראל
Unofficial English translation — for reference only. It may contain errors or omissions and cannot be relied on as a legal text. Only the Hebrew text published in Reshumot is legally binding.More
This English text was translated from the official Hebrew using a range of translation tools, and it undergoes ongoing checks and updates. It is not a certified translation.
Despite these checks, it may contain errors, omissions, or imprecise renderings of legal terminology and cross-references, and it may not yet reflect the latest amendments. It cannot be relied upon as a legal text.
The Hebrew text as published in Reshumot (ספר החוקים) and on the Knesset website is the sole authoritative and legally binding version. In any discrepancy, the Hebrew text prevails.
This translation is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For use in legal proceedings, request a certified Expert Legal Opinion.
Jerusalem – Capital of Israel§
Jerusalem, complete and united, is the capital of Israel.
Seat of the President, the Knesset, the Government and the Supreme Court§
Jerusalem is the seat of the President of the State, the Knesset, the Government and the Supreme Court.
Protection of Holy Places§
The Holy Places shall be protected from desecration and any other harm and from anything likely to impair freedom of access of members of the religions to the places sacred to them or their feelings towards those places.
Development of Jerusalem§
Area of Jerusalem's Boundaries§
The area of Jerusalem includes, for the purposes of this Basic Law, inter alia, all the territory described in the Schedule to the Declaration on the Extension of the Boundaries of the Jerusalem Municipality of the 20th of Sivan 5727 (28 June 1967), issued under the Municipalities Ordinance.
Prohibition on Transfer of Powers§
No power relating to the area of the Jerusalem Municipality, including the territory described in the Schedule to the Declaration on the Extension of the Boundaries of the Jerusalem Municipality of the 20th of Sivan 5727 (28 June 1967), issued under the Municipalities Ordinance, shall be transferred to a foreign, political or governmental entity, or to any other similar foreign entity, whether permanently or for a fixed period, all as in force on the date of commencement of Basic Law: Jerusalem, Capital of Israel (Amendment No. 2).
Diplomatic Representations§
No official representation of a foreign state shall be established in Jerusalem unless it is a diplomatic representation accredited to the State of Israel; the State of Israel shall encourage the establishment of diplomatic representations as aforesaid.
Entrenchment§
The provisions of Section 6 may not be amended except by a Basic Law passed by a majority of eighty members of the Knesset; the provisions of this Section may not be amended except by a Basic Law passed by a majority of the members of the Knesset.
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