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Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi Law, 5729-1969

חוק יד יצחק בן-צבי, תשכ"ט-1969

Published: 1969-07-18Consolidated Hebrew text as of 2026-08-26 · Last amended 2020-11-10✓ Amendment status checked against the Knesset legislation record on 2026-09-14
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Unofficial English translation — for reference only. It may contain errors or omissions and cannot be relied on as a legal text. Only the Hebrew text published in Reshumot is legally binding.More

This English text was translated from the official Hebrew using a range of translation tools, and it undergoes ongoing checks and updates. It is not a certified translation.

Despite these checks, it may contain errors, omissions, or imprecise renderings of legal terminology and cross-references, and it may not yet reflect the latest amendments. It cannot be relied upon as a legal text.

The Hebrew text as published in Reshumot (ספר החוקים) and on the Knesset website is the sole authoritative and legally binding version. In any discrepancy, the Hebrew text prevails.

This translation is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For use in legal proceedings, request a certified Expert Legal Opinion.

Establishment of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi§

1.

Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi is hereby established as a national institution.

Objectives§

2.

The objectives of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi are –

(1)to deepen among the people the awareness of the continuity of the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel, and to foster for that purpose the study of the history of the settlement;
(2)to advance the study of Jerusalem;
(3)to advance the study of the history of Jewish communities in the countries of the East;
(4)to reflect the personality of Izhak Ben-Zvi as President of the State and his activities in the Zionist movement, the labour movement, the settlement and the State.

Place of Seat§

3.

The seat of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi shall be in Jerusalem, in the house in which he served as President of the State.

Institutions§

4.

Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi shall have –

(1)a council whose members shall number no fewer than twenty-two and no more than fifty-one, including representatives of the following bodies:
(a)the Government;
(b)the World Zionist Organisation;
(c)the Municipality of Jerusalem;
(d)the universities referred to in the Schedule;
(e)the General Federation of Labour in the Land of Israel;

the Minister of Education and Culture may, on the recommendation of the council, add to the Schedule;

(2)an executive committee from among the members of the council, whose members shall number no fewer than seven and no more than thirteen, including at least one representative of each body referred to in sub-paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (e) of paragraph (1) and representatives of universities from among those referred to in the Schedule.

First Appointments§

5.
(a)The Prime Minister shall appoint the first council of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi, the executive committee, the first chairperson of the council and the first chairperson of the executive committee; notice of the said appointments shall be published in Reshumot (Official Gazette).
(b)The first council shall serve for two years from the date of its appointment.

The Constitution§

6.
(a)The executive committee appointed as provided in section 5 shall, within one year from the date of its appointment and after consultation with the council, draw up the constitution of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi, which shall include, inter alia, provisions regarding the activities of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi, the composition of the council, the executive committee and other institutions, their terms of office, membership therein, the duration and termination thereof, the powers and duties of the institutions, their working procedures including provisions regarding a quorum, the manner of determining the budget, and the introduction of amendments and alterations to the constitution.
(b)The constitution shall be submitted for approval by the Government, after consultation with the Education and Culture Committee of the Knesset.
(c)Until the constitution is approved, the council and the executive committee shall determine their own working procedures.

Independence§

7.

Within the scope of its powers under this Law and under the constitution, Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi shall be free to conduct its affairs as the executive committee shall determine.

Corporation§

8.

Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi is a corporation capable of assuming any obligation and right and of performing any legal act.

Recruitment of Employees and Their Conditions of Employment§

8a.
(a)The establishment and functioning of employees of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi shall be as those of State employees, with such modifications and adjustments as the Minister of Education and Culture shall prescribe on the recommendation of the executive committee and after consultation with the Minister of Finance.
(b)Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi shall recruit or appoint its employees in the manner prescribed for State employees, with such adjustments as shall be prescribed by Regulations.
(c)The salary, retirement benefits and other conditions of employment of employees of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi shall be as those of State employees, provided that the Minister of Education and Culture may, on the recommendation of the executive committee and after consultation with the Minister of Finance, prescribe such modifications and adjustments as appear to him to be necessary for the adaptation of the provisions applicable to State employees to the structure of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi.
(d)Nothing in this section shall derogate from the power of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi to enter into special contracts with employees engaged in temporary positions, for periods or missions and on conditions as the Minister of Education and Culture has prescribed on the proposal of the executive committee after consultation with the Minister of Finance.

Preservation of Validity§

9.

The existence of the council or the executive committee, their powers and the validity of their acts, shall not be affected by reason of a vacancy arising among their members, or by reason of a defect in the appointment or continuation of service of a member thereof.

Exemption from Taxes§

10.

For the purposes of the Income Tax Ordinance [New Version], Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi shall be regarded as an institution of a public character for matters of education and culture, and every transaction of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi and all its assets shall be exempt from any fee, property tax or other compulsory payment payable to the State or to a local authority; the exemptions granted to Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi under this section shall be conferred upon the Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi Company in respect of its assets and transactions connected with the construction and maintenance of the buildings of Yad Izhak Ben-Zvi and with educational and cultural activities.

Implementation§

11.

The Minister of Education and Culture is charged with the implementation of this Law and may make Regulations for its implementation.

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Schedule (section 4(1))

1.§

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem;

2.§

Tel Aviv University;

3.§

Bar-Ilan University.

4.§

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev;

5.§

University of Haifa.

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