Israel’s 120 lawmakers convene at the Knesset, a 1966 building belonging to the unfortunate multistorey-car-park school of architecture. Visitors can take a free one-hour guided tour that visits the committee rooms, plenary chamber, Chagall Hall (featuring three tapestries and a mosaic by the great 20th-century Jewish artist) and a display of the Declaration of Independence. These are conducted on Sunday and Thursday in Hebrew, Arabic, English, French, Spanish, German, Russian and Amharic; check the website for times.
Visitors must have a passport and be modestly dressed (no shorts, sleeveless shirts, t-shirts bearing political slogans, or flip-flops). It's also possible to observe Knesset plenary debates from the public gallery on Monday and Tuesday from 4pm and Wednesday from 11am.
Next to the bus stops opposite the Knesset is a giant bronze menorah, a gift from the British Labour Party in 1956. It’s decorated with panels representing important figures and events in Jewish history.
