Public Information Unit (Freedom of Information)

Freedom of Information Law, 5758, 1998, enacted on May 19, 1998, and which came into force a year later. The law establishes the right of any citizen or resident to receive information in the hands of public authorities, subject to the qualifications set out in it.

The law stipulates that the requested information must be made available to the public, unless it's disclosure infringes upon another interest, such as state security, privacy, trade secrets, etc. The application is examined within the timeframe prescribed by law, which requires that the authority respond to the applicant within 30 days. However, if the need arises, the Commissioner or the head of the public authority can extend the timeframe of the response for to up to 90 additional days (a total of 120 days to process the application). 
To the extent that the information pertains to a third party, and there are concerns that it could prejudice that party, the authority must approach that party and allow that party to oppose handing over of the information. Approaching a third party extends the time for processing the application by another 21 days. If the stand taken by the third party is rejected, the third party has the right to petition the public authority' decision within 45 days, and the information will not be handed over to the applicant until this right has been exhausted.

What information is obtainable in the framework of the law?
Any information in the possession of a public authority that is written, recorded (audio), videoed, photographed or computerized. Inquiries in the form of a request, complaint, efficiency proposal, clarification, letter of appreciation, etc. must be addressed to Public Inquiries.

How do I submit an application under the Freedom of Information Law?

The application must be submitted in writing to the Freedom of Information Commissioner, in one of the following ways:

1.    Submit an application using the online form.
2.    Email the application to: [email protected]. 
3.    Fax a written application to: 02-6466807.
4.    Send a written application via the Israel postal system to the following address: 2 Wolfson Boulevard, David Ben-Gurion Government Quarter, P.O.B 49029, Jerusalem, 9149001.

Fees and payments required

Under the Freedom of Information Regulations (Fees), 5759-1999, an application for information will be processed after payment of an application fee of NIS 23 and an undertaking to bear the payment of the processing and information extraction fee, up to an amount of NIS 173. A paying applicant is exempt from paying the processing and information extraction fee for first three hours of work.
There are several reasons that exempt an applicant from paying an application fee and a processing and information extraction fee for seven hours of work:  
1.    The applicant requests information about him/herself and his/her rights.
2.    The applicant is an association (Amuta) or a Company for the Benefit of the Public in possession of a certificate of proper management. 
3.    The applicant requesting information receives an allowance from the State.
4.    The information is requested for academic research purposes.
5.    The information should have been made public. 
When the application is made, confirmation of payment of the fee, or alternatively, proof of entitlement to exemption from payment of the fee, must be attached.
 
How can I pay the fee?

You pay an application fee of NIS 23 at the time you submit the application via an online form. 
The fee can also be paid in three others ways:

1. Online via the Government payments service. 
2. A bank transfer to account number 0-02217-5 at the Postal Bank.
3. By means of a payment voucher that will be sent via the Israel postal system at the applicant's request.

 The amount of the processing and information extraction fee will be determined by the scale of the information requested and the work hours required to locate it, extract it, check it in accordance with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Law, and make it available for perusal by the applicant. Payment will be made upon demand, according to the following pricelist:

• Processing fee: NIS 35 for every hour of work from the fourth hour onwards in the case of a paying applicant, and from the eighth hour onwards in the case of an applicant entitled to an exemption. 
• Information extraction fee in an amount of NIS 0.23 for every photocopy sheet.
• Information extraction fee in an amount of NIS 2.88 for a computer diskette. 

More information can be found on the Government Freedom of Information Unit site.