Union of Local Authorities in Israel

Lexicon of Terms

Local Government in Israel

Website of the Union of Local Authorities

Lexicon of Terms

Union of Local Authorities in Israel

The Union of Local Authorities in Israel is a non-profit association serving as an umbrella organization for local government officials. Its income, obtained from membership fees and partnerships in financial organizations, is aimed to provide for and assist local authorities.

The union was established in 1938 and was called the “Local Councils Association.” In 1953 it was joined by the three largest municipalities – Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Haifa – and its name was changed. Its main goal is to advocate for local authorities and represent them towards the government and other national institutions and organizations, such as the Jewish Agency and the Histadrut. The union also serves as a professional resource and provides instruction to the local authorities regarding their various actions, and provides their employees with professional training. It also serves as a labor union and represents local authorities regarding employment contract negotiations and their implementation. The union keeps in contact with similar organizations abroad and sponsors the “sister cities” project, in which over 400 cities worldwide take part.

Many struggles against the national government were led by the union, aimed to enable the authorities to provide proper services to their citizens and remain within budget limits. Economic recovery of local authorities stands among the union’s main goals, while providing them assistance through its companies. In recent years its resources are also allocated to development, immigrant absorption and for the provision of basic services.