We Are Here for You

The great dependence of each and every one of us on the public administration bodies and difficulties in navigating the bureaucracy are liable to make it difficult for us to exercise our rights. Therefore, an accessible, objective and effective national institution is required to assist us vis-à-vis the public authorities, allaying the need to go to court.

The Office of the Ombudsman at the Office of the State Comptroller was designed for this purpose. The Office was established in 1971, following an amendment to the State Comptroller Law. In 1988 the State Comptroller's status as Ombudsman was anchored in Basic Law: The State Comptroller.

The Office of the Ombudsman comprises around 120 employees, including attorneys, social workers and accountants. We investigate complaints received from any person in order to ensure their rights and advance an effective and fair public service. One of our aims is to increase our exposure and accessibility to the entire public, and in particular to those populations deserving special attention who are less aware of our existence and the possibility of receiving our assistance.

You do not have to be represented by an attorney to file a complaint with the Office – and the procedure is free of charge.

Who may file a complaint?

  • Any person (citizen, resident, foreign worker, refugee or tourist) of any age (including children and youth).
  • You may also file a complaint on behalf of someone else, together with written consent or a power of attorney.
  • Members of Knesset may also complain about an act that has harmed somebody else.

Who can you complain about?

  • Government ministries.
  • Local authorities.
  • Municipal bodies such as water and sewage corporations and conurbations.
  • Government companies, such as Amidar or the Israel Electric Corporation.
  • The National Insurance Institute.
  • Any enterprise, institution or body that is directly or indirectly supported by the government.
  • The HMOs or universities – and all the employees of these bodies.

What can you complain about?

  • Any act or omission, carried out against the law or without legal authority, that  harms you directly.
  • An act which is inconsistent with good governance procedures.
  • An act which constitutes  blatant injustice or excessive intransigence.

What or whom can you not complain about?

  • The President of the State of Israel.
  • The Knesset and its committees, Members of Knesset.
  • The government and its ministers (excluding  their acts as officials entrusted with a ministry or a sphere of activity).
  • The Governor of the Bank of Israel (excluding their activity as the person in charge of the bank).
    Private companies and private individuals.
  • A matter which is pending in court or where the court has made a ruling.
  • A judicial or quasi-judicial act. 
  • Police officers and prison wardens cannot file a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman if it concerns the conditions of their service or disciplinary matters, excluding a complaint by whistleblowers.
    Persons serving in the IDF (in compulsory service or in reserve duty) cannot file a complaint with the Office of the Ombudsman if it concerns the conditions of their service or disciplinary matters.
  • An act which occurred more than a year before the date of filing the complaint, excluding in exceptional cases.
  • A decision against which a contestation, objection or appeal may be filed by law, excluding in exceptional cases.
Ombudsman's Office staff serving residents displaced from their homes during the Iron Swords War

How is it possible to file a complaint?

  • Via an online form
  • By email: ombudsman@mevaker.gov.il
  • At the Office of the Ombudsman bureaus – the bureaus operate in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nof  HaGalil, Beer-Sheva and Lod. You may visit them during reception hours and deliver the complaint verbally or in writing. 
  • Via Zoom: In order to file a complaint via Zoom write to us at – ombudsman@mevaker.gov.il and we will reply to you by email.
  • By post: 2 Mevaker HaMedina St., POB 1081, Jerusalem, 9101001. You may also leave the complaint form in the postboxes at the Office of the Ombudsman bureaus.
  • By fax: 02-6665204

The Office of the Ombudsman looks out for the elderly

Tips for filing the complaint

  • Before you file a complaint, first of all contact the public body you want to complain about and ask for their response.
  • Make sure to fill out  all the necessary particulars in the complaint form: full name, ID number, residential address and contact details. 
  • It is advisable to attach  any documents you may have that are relevant to the investigation of the complaint, such as previous correspondence with the public body and any decisions made in the matter.
    (Read more about the complaint investigation process)

Protection of whistleblowers and internal auditors in public bodies

The Ombudsman is the address for public servants who have exposed acts of corruption and who are consequently suffering from harassment in the workplace. The Ombudsman is authorized to issue an order to prevent their dismissal, a cut in their salary or a deterioration in their terms of employment.
(Read more about the protection the Ombudsman grants to whistleblowers)