Defense Ministry Penalized for Withholding Gaza Demolition Data

Israel's Ministry of Defense has been ordered to pay NIS 6,500 in legal costs for significantly delaying the release of information regarding building demolitions in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon. The Movement for Freedom of Information (MFI) initially requested the data on July 3, 2025. Under Israel's Freedom of Information Law, responses are typically due within one month, with a possible extension of up to three additional months.

The Ministry of Defense failed to meet these deadlines, prompting the MFI to file a lawsuit in the Tel Aviv District Court in December 2025. The case was dismissed in January 2026 after the Ministry committed to providing the information by March 1, 2026. However, the Ministry did not comply, releasing the data only on May 18, 2026, more than two and a half months past its commitment and over six months beyond the legal maximum.

Despite the Ministry's repeated delays and failure to meet court-ordered deadlines, the District Court initially denied the MFI's request for legal expenses. The MFI appealed this decision to the Supreme Court. In his ruling, Supreme Court Vice President Noam Sohlberg noted the Ministry's systematic failure to adhere to Freedom of Information Law timelines and its breach of commitment to the lower court.

Sohlberg acknowledged that some of the delay could be attributed to Operation "Iron Swords" (Sh'at Ha'ar'avot), which diverted attention. However, he emphasized that the MFI's initial petition was justified and that it should not be disadvantaged financially for seeking information. Consequently, the Supreme Court ordered the Ministry of Defense to pay the MFI NIS 6,500 for legal expenses incurred in both the District and Supreme Courts.