BASIC LAW: FREEDOM OF OCCUPATION

Basic Law: freedom of occupation: translation

   Its new version, which replaced the law of 1992, was passed on 9 March 1994 by the 13th Knesset. The law lays down the right of "every citizen or inhabitant to engage in any occupation, profession or trade" unless a "law which corresponds with the values of the State of Israel, and which was designed for a worthy end" determines otherwise. The law includes an instruction regarding its permanence and protection from changes by means of emergency regulations. Only a majority of the Knesset members can amend the law.

   Among other provisions, the law provides that Fundamental human rights in Israel are founded upon recognition of the value of the human being, the sanctity of human life, and the principle that all persons are free; these rights shall be upheld in the spirit of the principles set forth in the Declaration of the Establishment of the State of Israel. . . . The purpose of this Basic Law is to protect freedom of occupation, in order to establish in a Basic Law the values of the State of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. . . . Every Israel national or resident has the right to engage in any occupation, profession or trade.