Israel Competition Authority
The Israel Competition Authority (ICA) enforces Israeli competition law, reviews mergers and acts against cartels and monopoly abuse. It was called the Israel Antitrust Authority until 2019.
The Israel Competition Authority (ICA) is the Israeli government agency that enforces the country's competition law, reviewing mergers and acting against cartels, abuse of monopoly power and other restrictive arrangements. It was called the Israel Antitrust Authority until a 2019 amendment renamed both the agency and its main statute, which is now the Economic Competition Law, 5748-1988.
Last updated: October 31, 2026
What Does the Israel Competition Authority Do?
The Israel Competition Authority regulates four kinds of conduct under Israeli competition law: restrictive arrangements, mergers, monopolies and concentration groups. It is headed by the Competition Commissioner, who holds broad investigative and enforcement powers, according to the competition review map maintained by law firm KS&K. Several other regulators, including the Israel Securities Authority, the Bank of Israel and the Ministry of Communications, exercise some competition-related functions in their own sectors.
Why Was the Antitrust Authority Renamed?
A 2019 amendment re-titled the Restrictive Trade Practices Law of 1988 as the Economic Competition Law and changed the agency's name from the Israel Antitrust Authority to the Israel Competition Authority, according to an OECD submission. The reform also introduced block exemptions, a longer review period for complex mergers and stronger enforcement tools, according to Israeli law firm Herzog Fox & Neeman.
How Does Merger Review Work in Israel?
Parties to qualifying mergers must notify the Competition Authority in advance and wait for a decision. Before the reform the Commissioner had to decide within 30 days, and the law now allows extended review when a notification justifies it, according to Herzog Fox & Neeman. The Commissioner must consult the Advisory Committee for Mergers and Exemptions before approving, rejecting or conditioning a merger, and the authority is required by law to publish its reasons when it objects to one.
Why Does the Competition Authority Matter to Investors?
Any acquisition involving Israeli businesses of sufficient size can require ICA clearance, so deal timelines depend on it. The authority also applies the law to global companies operating in Israel, according to the Global Competition Review. Competition rules sit alongside the structural limits in the Concentration Law, which targets pyramids and cross-ownership of financial and non-financial groups.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Israel Competition Authority?
The Israel Competition Authority is Israel's competition and antitrust regulator. It reviews mergers and enforces the Economic Competition Law against cartels and abuse of dominance.
Was the Israel Antitrust Authority the same body?
Yes. The Israel Antitrust Authority was renamed the Israel Competition Authority as part of a 2019 amendment to the law.
What is the main competition law in Israel?
The main law is the Economic Competition Law, 5748-1988, formerly titled the Restrictive Trade Practices Law.
Do mergers in Israel need approval?
Mergers that meet the notification conditions must be reported to the authority and cleared, and the Commissioner can approve, reject or attach conditions.