Objectives

We live in an era when information technology and communications have become fundamental features of society, politics, and economic and parliamentary activities. Consequentially, Avraham Burg, during his term as Speaker of the 15th Knesset, initiated a reform in the way the Knesset relates to research and information. That is why the Knesset Information and Research Center was established. Its mission is to serve:

  1. Knesset Members and Committees as an important resource in the legislative process.
  2. The Knesset in its function as supervisor of the executive branch.
  3. The Knesset in its debates on issues of current national and public interest.
The Speaker of the 16th Knesset, Reuven Rivlin, was involved along with other Members of Knesset in the establishment of the Center. In July of 2003 he broadened the scope of the RIC's activities to include economic and budgetary evaluations of legislative proposals.

The Information and Research Center strives to provide objective, practical, quality information by way of balanced and inclusive background papers and research.

In order to provide the requisite quality of research and information, the RIC maintains an advanced technological infrastructure. This includes a system of computerized information management as well as intensive use of relevant databases in Israel and from around the world.

The creation of the Information and Research Center in July 2000 placed the Knesset alongside other leading democratic parliaments regarding the supply of information services to its members.

Structure