Israel has both a president and a prime minister because it is a parliamentary republic where these two roles have distinct functions. The president is the head of state with largely ceremonial duties, symbolizing national unity and representing Israel abroad. On the other hand, the prime minister is the head of government and holds the executive powers to run the country, including making policy decisions and leading the government. In practice, the president's role is to perform formal duties like appointing the prime minister (after consulting political parties), granting pardons, and representing the state ceremonially. The prime minister exercises executive authority, leads the Cabinet, sets government policy, and manages day-to-day governmental affairs. The president’s powers are limited and usually exercised based on government advice, while the prime minister is the real political leader with actual governmental authority.