An amendment to the Law on Extension of Periods and Postponement of Deadlines
29 March 2026
We would like to inform you that, due to the state of emergency in which the State of Israel currently finds itself following Operation “Roaring Lion”, an amendment to the Law on Extension of Periods and Postponement of Deadlines (Temporary Provision – Swords of Iron) (Regulatory Approvals, Financial Sanctions, and Gas Facility Inspections), 2023 (the “Law”) was published in the official gazette on March 26, 2026. The Law establishes, among other things, temporary arrangements for a broad extension of regulatory approvals and for postponing deadlines in proceedings involving the imposition of financial sanctions and civil fines.
Below is a table summarizing the main provisions of the Law following its amendment:
- Exceptions – The Law does not apply to regulatory approvals listed in the Second Schedule, such as approvals under the Planning and Building Law, certain import licenses, passports, and others.
- Authority to Shorten/Not Extend – The competent authority may determine, in certain circumstances and with a written reasoned notice, that a specific approval will not be extended or will be extended for a shorter period. With respect to financial sanctions, the authority may shorten the postponement period.
- Possibility of Further Extension – The Prime Minister (with regard to approvals) and the Minister of Justice (with regard to sanctions) may extend the relevant period by order, for additional 3 months each time, and up to a total of 9 months – subject to government approval (and following the first extension, also approval of the committee). In addition, the Prime Minister may extend the extension period by up to 3 months for approvals that were originally issued for a period exceeding one year.
| Topic | Relevant Period (the original expiration date) | Extension / Postponement | Additional Notes |
| Regulatory Approvals (General) | February 28, 2026, to May 31, 2026 | Automatic extension of 3 months | Applies to approvals/licenses required by law for performing an action/activity (including regarding a device), and also to exemptions – provided they were originally granted for a period exceeding one month. |
| Regulatory Approvals (First Schedule) | February 28, 2026, to May 31, 2026 | Automatic extension of 4 months | Including documents required for obtaining the approval or serving as a condition for its issuance. |
| Financial Sanctions and Civil Fines | February 28, 2026, to May 31, 2026 | 3 months | Including deadlines for notifying an intention to impose a financial penalty; the violator’s arguments (regarding both the intention and the amount of the penalty); a decision on the penalty or a payment demand; cancellation of an administrative warning or submission of an undertaking and a bond; claims regarding the forfeiture of a bond; and payment of the penalty, in whole or in part. |
A decision by a public authority or other competent body may be appealed or brought before the competent court, in accordance with the law under which the regulatory approval was issued or under which the financial penalty or civil fine was imposed, as applicable.
For the full text of the Law amendment as published in the official gazette (Hebrew version) – click here.
We remain at your disposal for any questions or clarifications on this matter.
Best regards,
Regulation Team, Commercial Department
Herzog Fox & Neeman
