About the Law
The Freedom of Information Law, which took effect in May 1999, mandates that every resident and citizen of Israel has the right to receive information from a public authority, in accordance with specifications of the law.
The law grants Israeli citizens the right to obtain information from the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption about its activities, statistical data, personal information, etc. The law also stipulates a list of the types of information that may not be transmitted or that may only be transmitted according to the judgment of the Ministry.
An individual may request information with no explanation required, and the officer in charge of freedom of information will investigate the request and respond according to the guidelines mandated by the law.
The Freedom of Information Law – the Knesset Website (Hebrew).
Requesting Information
According to regulations of the Freedom of Information Law (1999) it is necessary to pay a fee of NIS 85 (known as an “egeret bakasha”) upon requesting information. Payment of this fee is a necessary condition for processing a request for information, and is not refundable, even if the request is turned down. If the request requires further processing the petitioner may be charged a further sum, up to a maximum of NIS 227 (it is not necessary to receive additional authorization from the petitioner).
A request for one’s own personal information does not require the payment of a fee. Individuals may receive personal information at the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption branch office closest to their place of residence.
How to Receive Information?
If you wish to request information you must do the following:
• Fill out an information request form. 
• Attach authorization of payment of the “egeret bakasha.” The “egeret bakasha” can be paid at a postal bank to postal bank account number 0-02221-4 in the name of the Ministry of Immigrant Absorption Freedom of Information Law.
• Send the request and the authorization of payment to:
Ms. Yulia Ospovat-Gurevich
Freedom of Information Law Commissioner
2 Rehov Kaplan, Jerusalem 91950
Tel. (02) 6750302, Fax. (02) 6752675
hmeida@moia.gov.il
Freedom of Information Act Report, 2006