As the digital world evolves and web usage grows, accessibility requirements for websites have become increasingly important. This article clarifies the core principles governing web accessibility obligations under Israeli law.
Does a Website Hosted on Foreign or Cloud Servers Need to Be Accessible?
Yes, it does. The physical location of the server where your website is hosted is irrelevant to accessibility obligations. Whether your site is hosted on servers in Israel, abroad, or in cloud services, your duty to make it accessible is determined by other criteria—not the technical infrastructure's location.
Israeli Businesses with Websites Abroad
The answer depends primarily on the business's status:
- Business registered in Israel: absolutely required to make the website accessible, regardless of server location or domain address.
- Business not registered in Israel: this requires deeper professional review, as obligations depend on additional factors like service type, scope of operations in Israel, and more.
Israeli Target Audience as a Condition for Obligation
For a website to be required to meet Israeli accessibility standards, it must be intended for an Israeli audience. Websites designed exclusively for audiences outside Israel are not subject to Israeli accessibility requirements.
Note: As of June 2025, new EU accessibility regulations for websites and applications came into effect. If you serve audiences in Europe as well, make sure you also comply with those requirements.
Summary
Web accessibility obligations are determined not by server location, but by:
- Business status – is it registered in Israel
- Target audience – is the website intended for the Israeli public
- Type of service provided through the website
It's important to note that this is a complex legal area requiring professional guidance for each specific case. We strongly recommend consulting with an attorney specializing in digital accessibility to get precise guidance tailored to your situation.