Israel (2011 Report)

Abstract

This is a pre-edited draft of the Israeli report to the Tort and Insurance Law Yearbook. Because the last Israeli report was published in the 2002 Yearbook, this chapter covers a longer than usual period of time. It critically evaluates notable developments in Israeli tort law. The first Part focuses on recent and proposed legislative reforms. It discusses, inter alia, the proposed Israeli Civil Code, tort liability of the state, public authorities, and public servants, environmental legislation, dignitary torts (infringement of privacy, defamation), and the Prevention of Harm to the State of Israel through Boycott Act. The second Part discusses notable developments in case law under the following headings: the interplay between tort law and criminal law, defamation, liability for relational losses (economic and emotional), causation, exceptions to the rule of restitutio in integrum, and damages for personal injuries. The third Part reviews important contributions to Israeli tort law literature.