Basic Law: The Knesset (1958)
(Updated January 2003)
www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/MFAArchive/1950_1959/Basic%20Law-%20The%20Knesset%20-1958-%20-%20updated%20translatio
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Extending the Knesset's term (Amendment No. 15)

9A. (a) The Knesset shall not extend its term except by passing a law by a
majority of 80 members and unless special circumstances exist that prevent
the holding of elections at their proper time; the extension shall not
exceed the time required by the above-mentioned circumstances; the election
date shall be set by law.

[IMRA: Amendment No. 15 was employed after the 1973 Yom Kippur War to
postpone the elections. While some called this morning to postpone the
elections in light of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's medical condition, most
observers and officials oppose the move, noting that the conditions of a
particular individual do not constitute "special circumstances".]