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Israel
NATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
As of late 1988, Israel had a number of so-called "nongovernment
public sector" organizations, also known as "national institutions."
For all practical purposes, they constituted an integral part
of the government system, performing functions that were vital
to the fulfillment of Zionist aspirations and to the maintenance
of Israeli society. Political parties competed for leadership
and patronage within them. During the Mandate period, these organizations
served as the British administration's officially recognized governing
bodies for the Jewish community in Palestine. The Jewish Agency
Executive, for instance, was recognized by the governments of
Britain, the United States, and other states and international
organizations, including the United Nations (UN). In the process
of their work, the organizations acquired considerable experience
in self-rule, not to mention jealously guarded bureaucratic prerogatives.
These bodies engaged in fund-raising in the Diaspora (see Glossary),
operated social welfare services, and were involved in education
and cultural work. They operated enterprises, including housing
companies; organized immigration; and promoted Zionist work. After
Israel achieved independence, many of these services were taken
over by the state, but others remained under the control of these
well-entrenched organizations. They came to function side by side
with the government, and their activities often overlapped, especially
in the field of social welfare services. Until the early 1970s,
these organizations were almost completely dominated by Israeli
governments; later, the organized representatives of Diaspora
Jewry began to function more independently.
Data as of December 1988
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