Supervisor for Implementation of the Freedom of Information Law

The 1998 Freedom of Information Law mandates that every citizen and resident of Israel has the right to receive information from a public authority, in accordance with the provisions of the law

The 1998 Freedom of Information Law mandates that every citizen and resident of Israel has the right to receive information from a public authority, in accordance with the provisions of the law. These provisions are intended to balance between freedom of information and various rights and interests, including national security, privacy protection, professional and commercial secrets, etc. 

The law determines who is entitled to receive information; what kind of information cannot or can be divulged according to the authority's judgment; the discretion exercised by the authority in providing information; and regulations and instructions governing the application and processing procedures.  The application is reviewed within the timeframe prescribed by the law, which obligates the authority to respond to the applicant within 30 days. However, if necessary, the supervisor or the head of the public authority can extend this period by up to 90 more days.