To
The Management of the __________________ Party
Subject: Position paper and proposals by the "Civil Compass" association for improving the operational efficiency of state institutions and local authorities during periods between elections through the systematic handling of public inquiries
Public elected officials—including Members of the Knesset, members of local authority councils, and heads of authorities—generally serve until the next elections. Public employees and officeholders appointed by them serve in accordance with the law, appointment procedures, and the employment arrangements applicable to them.
In this situation, the evaluation of the performance of elected officials is conducted primarily during elections, whereas the performance of public employees is evaluated primarily within the internal administrative framework and by their supervisors. Between one election cycle and another, there is not always a systematic, transparent, and public-accessible mechanism that allows for the evaluation of the quality of work performed by elected officials and the officeholders appointed by them, and for drawing conclusions in real time.
When public authorities and functions are not properly exercised, direct harm, a loss of resources, or the forfeiture of public benefit may be caused to the public.
Inquiries and complaints from citizens and civil society organizations regarding the actions or omissions of state institutions, local authorities, their employees, and bodies subordinate to them serve as an important source of information for identifying such deficiencies. The same applies to proposals submitted by the public for resolving issues of public importance.
However, these inquiries are not always handled fully, substantively, and within a reasonable timeframe. Furthermore, the information accumulated from inquiries and the outcomes of their handling is not always analyzed and published in a manner that enables the evaluation of the quality of work of public bodies, elected officials, and public employees.
To strengthen accountability, transparency, and public trust, the "Civil Compass" association proposes to prioritize the advancement of the following measures:

1. A uniform system for tracking public inquiries
   To establish a single identification number for every inquiry, which shall be retained even when the inquiry is transferred between different authorities, units, and officeholders. Through this number, the petitioner will be able to track online the stages of handling their inquiry, the identity of the handling body, and the deadlines set for a response.
2. Uniform rules for handling inquiries and liability for their breach
   To establish uniform rules regarding response deadlines, the minimum required content of a response, and the duty to respond substantively.
   It is further proposed to establish a uniform hierarchy of supervisory, administrative, and disciplinary measures that shall apply, as appropriate, in the event of failure to provide a response, unjustified deviation from the response deadline, or the provision of a response that is not substantive or does not address the core arguments raised in the inquiry.
   The implementation of disciplinary measures against a public employee shall be carried out in accordance with the law, while safeguarding the right to a hearing and the rules of procedural fairness.
3. Provision of information regarding the handling of a complaint found to be justified
   When a complaint regarding an action or omission of a public employee is found to be justified, in whole or in part, the authority shall be required to state in its response:
   a. What findings were determined following the review of the complaint;
   b. What steps were taken to correct the deficiency and prevent its recurrence;
   c. Whether the opening of a disciplinary or administrative proceeding was considered;
   d. Whether a decision was made in this regard.
   The information shall be provided subject to the provisions of the law regarding privacy, confidentiality, and the protection of employee rights.
4. Quarterly statistical reporting in a uniform format
   To obligate state institutions, local authorities, and other public bodies to submit a quarterly statistical report on the handling of public inquiries, in a uniform format that shall include, inter alia:
   a. The number of inquiries received and the number of inquiries whose handling has concluded;
   b. The average and median handling time;
   c. The number of complaints found to be justified in whole or in part;
   d. The number of complaints following which procedures, decisions, or work methods were corrected;
   e. The number of cases in which disciplinary proceedings were initiated and the number of cases in which disciplinary measures were imposed, including reprimand, demotion, or dismissal;
   f. The number of cases referred for examination by an authorized administrative, police, or prosecutorial body;
   g. The number of proposals received from the public and adopted for implementation;
   h. The number of proposals forwarded, along with a recommendation, for the attention of another public body.
   The data shall be published in an aggregated manner and without details enabling the identification of the inquirers or the employees concerned, unless individual publication is permitted or required by law.
5. Publication, reporting, and protection duties
   It is proposed to obligate public bodies:
   5.1. To publish on their official websites, on a quarterly basis, the statistical reports regarding the handling of public inquiries, in an accessible, uniform format that can be downloaded and processed;
   5.2. When a complaint regarding an action or omission of an employee is found to be justified, in whole or in part, to report within 30 days to the supervisor or the authorized oversight body regarding the findings, the correction of the deficiency, and the steps taken to prevent its recurrence;
   5.3. To grant protection without delay to an employee who has reported in good faith on corruption, a breach of integrity, a severe violation of the law, or a tangible danger to the public, and to prevent any retaliation against them following the report.
   If, following the submission of the report, a measure of dismissal, suspension, reassignment from position, reduction of authority, impairment of salary or working conditions, or any other material negative measure is taken against the employee, a rebuttable presumption shall apply that a connection exists between the report and the measure taken. The public body shall be required to demonstrate that the decision was made for substantive reasons unrelated to the report.
   Any such measure shall be reported without delay to the authorized oversight body. Aggregated and compiled information on the subject shall be published to the public, while safeguarding the privacy, security, and rights of the whistleblower. This arrangement shall supplement the existing protection mechanisms under the authority of the Ombudsman.
6. Increased accountability of senior officeholders in political appointments
   To establish increased duties of transparency, reporting, and accountability for senior officeholders appointed through a political appointment or a personal appointment by public elected officials.
   It is further proposed to establish a special and independent procedure for reviewing complaints concerning these officeholders. The procedure shall include:
   a. Prevention of conflicts of interest in the selection of the reviewing entity;
   b. Establishment of clear deadlines for review and decision-making;
   c. Provision of a reasoned response to the complainant;
   d. Publication of the decision or a summary thereof, subject to law and privacy protection;
   e. The option to refer the matter for examination by an external and independent oversight body.
   The "Civil Compass" association believes that the implementation of these measures will assist in the early detection of deficiencies, the reduction of harm to the public, the improvement of the quality of public service, and the enhancement of transparency and accountability in state institutions and local authorities.
   The proposed measures will also strengthen the involvement of citizens and civil society organizations in improving public administration and public trust in the institutions of government.
   We propose that your party examine the incorporation of these proposals into the party platform and its work program ahead of the elections to the Twenty-Sixth Knesset.
   The "Civil Compass" association is prepared to hold a meeting with party representatives and cooperate in formulating the detailed proposals, adapting them to Israeli law, and advancing them in the Knesset, the government, and local authorities.
   We would appreciate receiving your response and notification regarding the party representative with whom the discussion can be continued.
   Sincerely,