ISRAEL IRAN SAUDI ARABIA Comparing Contrasting SW Asian

• ISRAEL • IRAN • SAUDI ARABIA Comparing & Contrasting SW Asian Governments

ISRAEL

System of Government • Unitary: Central Government makes all the decisions!

Type of Democracy • Parliamentary Democracy: Citizens vote for members of the Knesset. • Legislative Branch…UNICAMERAL • Holds most power in government • 120 members who serve 4 -year terms

Leadership • President: Reuven Rivlin (2014) • Head of Country • Ceremonial role, not much power • Prime Minister: Benjamin Netanyahu • Head of Government • Knesset • Legislative Branch • (US: Congress: : Israel: Knesset)

Becoming A Leader • President: • Elected by Knesset for a 7 -year term • Prime Minister: • Chosen by Knesset • Head of largest political party in Knesset • Knesset: • Elected by popular vote by citizens.

Citizen Rights • All citizens 18 years & older can vote for Knesset. • Can travel in & out of Israel freely, but citizens must carry a blue ID card when traveling across West Bank. • Basic freedom of speech & press.

SAUDI ARABIA

System of Government • Unitary: Central Government makes all the decisions!

Type of Democracy • No Democracy • They are an AUTOCRACY! • Absolute Monarchy • Governed by Sharia law!

Leadership • King: Abdallah bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud (2005) • Head of the country & government!

Becoming A Leader • You have to be born in the family in order be king! • Heir: Half-brother Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud • In 2006 a decree was made that created a committee of Saudi princes that will play a role in selecting future Saudi kings, but this new system will not go into effect until after Sultan bin Abd al-Aziz Al Saud becomes king.

Citizen Rights • Must be Muslim to be citizen. • Public practice of any other religion other than Islam is against the law. • Men: 21 & older can vote in local elections. • Women: • Very little freedom • Can vote in local elections • Cannot drive & must dress modestly. • Limited freedom of press & speech.

IRAN

System of Government • Unitary: Central Government makes all the decisions!

Type of Democracy • Presidential Democracy • Theocracy • Governed by Sharia law.

Leadership • Supreme (Religious) Leader: • Known as the AYATOLLAH • Ali Hoseini-Khameni (1989) • Head of the State • President: • Head of Government • Hassan Rouhani (2013)

Becoming A Leader • Ayatollah (Supreme Leader): • Appointed for life by the Assembly of Experts, a group of religious leaders. • President: • Elected by popular vote to a 4 -year term

Citizen Rights • All citizens 18 & older can vote. • No freedom of press or speech. • Must obey strict Sharia law. • Women: little freedom.