The BLT enjoys taking a comparative approach to lobbying regulations and scandals, so we were curious to see that a whole new regime of lobbyist restrictions is on the way — in Israel.
Many of the new regulations in a bill passed by the Knesset plenum would be old hat for anyone familiar with the system in D.C. For the first time, for instance, lobbyists will be required to register their clients with the government, and legislators are mulling over a prohibition of lobbying by high-ranking political party officials.
Then there are the nametags.
Should the bill go through — and the Jerusalem Post seems to think it will — lobbyists will be required to wear a tag stating their name, firm, and client at all times when they’re in the Knesset.
These rules would all add up to an abrupt change for Israeli lobbyists.
Israel, the article notes, is one of the last countries in the world that doesn't regulate its public policy advocates. But in recent years, the need to do so has become more apparent: By way of demonstrating the sheer number of Israeli influence peddlers, the Jerusalem Post quotes Knesset officials who estimate that there are probably "a couple hundred" people who cycle through the Knesset seeking to sway votes.
On the BLT's desk is a well-thumbed copy of the 2006 edition of Washington Representatives, containing 1993 pages of names in excruciatingly small font.
Israel, you've got a long way to go.
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