In November 2003, Israel introduced a new procedure to enable applicants to accelerate the prosecution of patent applications which had hitherto been examined in the order in which the applications were received unless an application was made for special treatment because of the likelihood of infringement.

Under the new procedure, once a term of eighteen months elapses from the date of filing in Israel, the applicant will be able to request expedited examination. Such a request will have to be accompanied by a list of all publications that have been cited by another patent office on a corresponding application or which the applicant has drawn to the attention of another patent office in such an application, copies of any documents in such lists that may have been indicated as being prejudicial to novelty or inventivity and a list of any other prior art known to the applicant that may be relevant to the invention.