FEBRUARY 2009

The Israeli Income Tax Ordinance was amended as of January 1, 2009 (the "Amendment") to introduce, among other things, tax exemptions designed to stimulate and encourage foreign investments in Israel.

FEBRUARY 2009 | Renana Dolev Harel

A new amendment to the Israeli Communications Law prohibits the sending of commercial material by electronic means, such as emails, faxes, automated telephone systems and cellular text messages (SMS), unless a prior consent is provided by the addressee of such material.

FEBRUARY 2009 | Renana Dolev Harel

Under the Law for the Encouragement of Industrial Research and Development Law, 5744-1984 (the "R&D Law"), research and development programs which meet specified criteria and are approved by a governmental research committee of the Office of Chief Scientist (“OCS”) are eligible for grants to cover a portion of a projected R&D espenditure

FEBRUARY 2009 | Renana Dolev Harel

The Consumer Protection Law was recently amended by the Knesset (the "Amendment") to prevent certain "limited-period transactions" from being "automatically" renewed without obtaining the consumer's prior approval. The Amendment is expected to impact the way Israeli businesses structure their membership and subscription offers (for example, offers by cellular phone operators).

FEBRUARY 2009 | Ofer Dekel

Two important developments in the field of Israeli labor law that became effective on February 1, 2009 are likely to have material ramifications on labor practices: 24th Amendment to the Wage Protection Law, 5718-1958 (“Wage Protection Law”); and 12th Amendment to the Work and Rest Hours Law, 5711-1951 (“Work and Rest Hours Law”)