Introduction
The Office of the Legal Advisor gives legal advice in the field of international law to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to the departments and divisions of the Ministry, to the Ministry Administrators, and to the Representations of Israel abroad, as well as to other major governmental authorities and bodies in Israel. Foreign Missions, international organizations and their representatives in Israel also consult the Division, on legal matters of international concern.
The Office of the Legal Adviser is divided into a number of departments, according to the fields of activities, and is headed by the Legal Adviser, Ambassador Alan Baker.
The Peace Process is a constant, on-going concern, with members of the Legal Office being active participants in the various negotiating fora. The 1979 Peace Treaty with Egypt, the 1994 Peace Treaty with Jordan, and the various agreements between Israel and the Palestinians, as well as bilateral negotiations with Syria and Lebanon, are illustrations of the involvement of the Legal Office in the peace process. This involvement continues in the various issues being negotiated within the peace process at any given time.
Claims Department
The Claims Department plays a very active part in the Foreign Ministry, dealing with the myriad legal problems relating to the affairs of countries having diplomatic relations with Israel, (and some that dont) including the rights and immunities of diplomats and foreign nationals serving in Israel. Matters of private international law between Israeli citizens and members of these foreign states are also dealt with, as well as all the administrative aspects of the work of the Ministry, and all the Court Claims the Ministry is involved in, whether in Israel or abroad. This department is headed by Mr. Asher Yarden.
Treaties Department
The Treaties Department, headed by Mrs. Hemda Golan, Deputy Legal Adviser, is in charge of all aspects of the Treaty-making process. The department is responsible for initiating, drafting, negotiating, finalizing, signing, ratifying, registering and publishing all Treaties and International Agreements to which Israel is bound, as well for the issuing of credentials. The Treaties and International Agreements in which Israel is involved cover a wide range of fields, including: Culture, Health, Investments, Agriculture, Visas, Legal Assistance, Transfer of Prisoners, Extradition, Consular Relations, Space, Post and Telecommunication, Environment, Technical Cooperation, Industrial Research and Development, Tourism, etc.
The Department also deals with a variety of Multilateral Treaties, and thereby participates in International Conferences dealing with the adoption of these Treaties, prepares position papers on behalf of the State of Israel regarding the discussed Treaties, and more.
All information related to Treaties and International Agreements to which Israel is a Party or which Israel has signed, is stored at the Treaties Department's office and is available to the public, upon request (for additional information - Tel: (02)-5303590; Fax: (02)-5303251).
General Law Department
Complementing the Treaties Department, the General Law Department, headed by Ms. Esther Efrat-Smilg, deals with bilateral and multilateral treaties and agreements concerned with civil aviation, shipping, (including transportation, trade, standardization, customs and double taxation), internal security, police, as well as well as with issues of policing in matters such as international terrorism, labour (including migrant workers), and drugs.
International Economic Law Department
This department is headed by Mr. Ehud Keinan who is also the Principal Deputy Legal Adviser. The department deals with the legal aspects of a multitude of questions relating to international economic relations and foreign trade. It also deals with multilateral economic organizations, international economic cooperation as well as joint ventures and regional projects which are primarily associated with the Middle East peace process.
International Law Department
The department deals with the variety of issues related to public international law, especially Israels connection with multilateral bodies such as the United Nations and its subsidiary organizations, issues such as the law of the sea, human rights, arms control as well as issues connected to the peace process between Israel and its neighbors, especially boundary-related matters.
The department also partakes in the preparations for, and participates in multilateral conferences dealing with various aspects of international law.
Information as of March 2001