Government Companies Law - Israel

Government Companies Law, 1975

An amendment in 1993, introduced affirmative action into top leadership positions in government companies. Under the amended law, Ministers are obliged to give preference to women candidates to achieve equal gender representation in the composition of the boards of directors of state-owned companies. The amendment read as follows:

"18A(a) In the composition of the board of directors of a government company, befitting expression must be given to the representation of members of both sexes.

(b) Until such befitting expression of representation has been attained, the ministers will appoint directors, as far as possible under the circumstances, from the members of the sex that is not represented in a befitting manner on the board of directors of the company at the time."