What Are Advance Directives?
Advance directives (Hanchayot Mekadimat) are written instructions that specify a person's wishes regarding medical treatment in the event they can no longer communicate those wishes themselves. In Israel, they are governed by the Dying Patient Law (2005) and allow individuals to consent to or refuse specific medical interventions in advance.
What Can Be Addressed
- Consent to or refusal of specific life-sustaining interventions (ventilation, CPR, tube feeding).
- Conditions under which you wish treatment continued or withdrawn.
- Appointment of a healthcare proxy authorised to make decisions on your behalf.
- Pain management preferences and comfort care instructions.
Interaction with an LPA
An Israeli Lasting Power of Attorney can also include healthcare instructions and appoint an attorney-in-fact for medical decisions. The relationship between an LPA and a separate Advance Directive document must be clearly established — ideally both documents reference each other and are consistent. In case of conflict, the more specific instruction generally prevails.
Is an advance directive legally binding on doctors in Israel?
Yes — the Dying Patient Law (2005) gives advance directives legal binding effect on medical staff in Israel, within the law's scope. A physician cannot provide treatment explicitly refused in a valid advance directive. However, the law has specific procedural requirements: the directive must be in writing, signed, witnessed, and either registered with the Health Ministry or submitted to the treating hospital. Directives that do not meet these requirements may not be enforceable.
