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Lobbying in Israel

There are no rules or regulations governing lobbyist activity in Israel. But, the Associations Law; adopted in 1980, requires the registration of associations with an appointed official- the Registrar. The latter has wide discretion in determining whether an organization is an association or not. For example, no lobbying group may lawfully exist if it undermines the state of Israel.  Such a stipulation reflects the preoccupation in Israel with state security. 

The Associations Law- applies to associations only and not to firms or companies which are covered by other parts of the civil code.

In 1990, the individual members of the Knesset (MKs) (Israel’s Unicameral House of Representatives) made an attempt to introduce a law to regulate lobbying activities in the Knesset. The law would have given the Speaker of the Knesset considerable powers. Firstly, he / she would be able to disqualify lobbyists. Secondly, he would have forbidden lobbying activity in parts of the building and would have allowed lobbyists entry to the building only if Members of the Knesset had invited them.
Although the bill passed at the committee stage it didn’t reach the Knesset as there was disagreement between the Members on the definition of lobbyists. Plus, there was difficulty with implementing the new law given the overwhelming number of Israeli citizens who were interested in the Knesset’s activities. 

A Unique Case
Israel has faced security issues for some time and that has made it a ‘suspicious’ state in the views of certain people.  Concerns have existed since times immemorial regarding threats to security leading to internal tension. And the need to regulate lobbying activities of interest groups is rising.  However, Members of the Knesset were associated with various associations which constituted their support base. Therefore, introducing legislation that would regulate lobbying activities would effectively affect the Members re-election prospects.

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