Chapter 1 -The Digital Israel Initiative Operating Model and Scope
The activity scope included in the National Initiative is broad and encompasses a wide range of areas at two levels, core areas and horizontal areas:
Besides the areas included in the activity scope and advanced in the framework of the National Initiative, the purpose of the National Digital Program is to serve as a digital compass for all ministries and auxiliary units, including those that do not utilize the assistance of the Bureau. The aim of the Program is to help and direct all entities in formulating a digital strategy and to advance digital projects. Therefore, these entities will act in accordance with the guiding principles of the National Initiative and the principles for formulating ministry digital strategies. Accordingly, the activity scope of the National Initiative is expected to be updated when additional activity areas will be defined as the Initiative progresses.
Core Areas
Core areas are specific fields in which it is possible to achieve a very significant quantum leap by harnessing the digital revolution and by developing and providing innovative, quality and efficient public goods. In the first stage, and by virtue of Government Resolution No. 1046, it was decided to establish implementation teams in the Ministries of Education, Health, Social Affairs and Social Services and Economy and Industry (including SMEs). The Local Government Administration in the Ministry of Interior, as well as the Justice Ministry, the Tax Authority and the National Insurance Institute were added at a later date.
Schooling and Education
Integrating technology in the educational field, as well as in the vocational and technological training field, will bring about a quantum leap in their quality, while streamlining the system, adapting its contents to the 21st century and equipping its graduates with competencies needed in the modern age. This area will be advanced by the Ministry of Education and the CHE and PBC as well as by the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services, in coordination with the Bureau, and is detailed under the strategic objectives: "Bringing the Geographic and Social Periphery Closer to the Center" and "Improving Public Goods".
Labor and Social Services
Digital tools have the potential to streamline the social services area in Israel, while reducing the bureaucratic burden and increasing right realization. This will improve the lives of all citizens, with an emphasis on weakened populations. Various digital tools enable diverse audiences to expand their employment options, by improving employee competencies and ridging distance, time and information access barriers. This area will be advanced in cooperation with the Bureau, by the Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Social Services, the National Insurance Institute, local government and additional entities. This area is detailed under the strategic objectives: "Bringing the Geographic and Social Periphery Closer to the Center", "Rights Realization", "Developing the Employment Market in the Digital Age" and "Improving Public Goods".
Health
ICT tools can improve the quality of health service in Israel, increase efficiency and accelerate innovation in the health system, thus improving quality of life and saving costs. This area will be advanced by the Ministry of Health in cooperation with the Bureau and with the assistance of the health system, and is detailed under the following strategic objectives: "Improving Public Goods" and "Bringing the Geographic and Social Periphery Closer to the Center".
Justice
Digital transformation in the activities of the Ministry of Justice will enable the streamlining and shortening of service processes provided by the Ministry, will help reduce the bureaucracy and allow for the provision of improved service quality to citizens and businesses in Israel. In doing so it will be possible to ease doing business in Israel, to advance the rule of law and human rights and to maintaining the public interest, and finally to increase public trust in the justice system and in the government. This area will be advanced in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice and is detailed under the strategic objective: "Accessibility of Government and Local Government".
Housing and Real Estate
Information and communication technology can help ease the housing crisis and improve the implementation of government policy in the housing market. Combining focused digital efforts in the housing area may shorten planning and licensing processes, which will lead to increased supply of apartments in Israel. This will improve access to information for effective policymaking and will help lower housing prices. This area is detailed under the strategic objective: "Reduce Cost of Living and Housing Prices".
Economy and Finance
Digitization has enormous potential as a growth engine for the economy by expanding the use of ICT tools in business, advancing digital based industries and developing digital competencies in the workforce. Furthermore, expanding use of technology in the financial system, promoting digital tools to improve accessibility and streamlining the interface with financial institutions, along with increased transparency and competition in this area will enable the provision of online, inexpensive and competitive services. This area is detailed under the "Primary Goal – Accelerate Economic Growth", and under the strategic objective: "Reduce Cost of Living and Housing Prices".
Local Government and Smart Cities
Information and communication technologies enable the streamlining of the work of local government, improving its interface with the public and developing smart, efficient and cost-saving public goods while integrating tools from the Internet of Things. The Smart Cities area will be advanced in cooperation with the Ministry of Interior, the Center for Local Government and other relevant entities. This area is detailed in length under the strategic objective: "Accessibility of Government and Local Government".
E-Gov
Expanding the use of Information and communication technologies in the public sector holds huge potential for making government innovative, smart and friendly to citizens, while reducing bureaucracy, improving public goods and services, increasing budget savings and improving the lives of all citizens in the country. This area will be advanced by the Government ICT Authority and the various government ministries in cooperation with the Bureau, and is detailed in length under the "Primary Goal – Friendly and Smart Government".