6-K
SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN
PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15a-16 OF
THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Report on Form 6-K
dated March 2, 2006
Partner Communications Company Ltd.
(Translation of Registrants Name Into English)
8 Amal Street
Afeq Industrial Park
Rosh Haayin 48103
Israel
|
(Address
of Principal Executive Offices) |
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.)
Form 20-F x
Form 40-F o
(Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.)
Yes o
No x
(If Yes is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _________)
This Form 6-K is incorporated by
reference into the Companys Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on December 26, 2001 (Registration No. 333-14222).
Enclosure: |
|
Notice
and Proxy Statements re Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders. |
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
NOTICE OF
EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL
MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
|
Rosh Haayin, Israel |
|
March 2, 2006 |
Notice
is hereby given that an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (the
EGM) of Partner Communications Company Ltd. (the
Company or Partner) will be held on Thursday, March
23, 2006 commencing at 10:00 am (Israel time), at our offices, 8 Haamal Street, Rosh
Haayin, Israel or at any adjournments thereof.
It
is proposed at the EGM to adopt the following resolutions:
|
(i) |
to
authorize the distribution of a cash dividend in the amount of NIS 0.65 per
share to shareholders of record on April 10, 2006; |
|
(ii) |
to
approve the amendments to the Articles of Association of the Company described in the
attached Proxy Statement, relating principally to recent changes in indemnification of
directors and officers under the Israeli Companies Law; to the convening of general
meetings; to the approval processes for dividend distributions; and to certain
transactions with directors and officers or transactions in which directors and officers
have a personal interest; |
|
(iii) |
to
approve the grant of new Indemnification Letters to all current and future directors and
officers of the Company, subject to the approval of the amendments to the Articles of
Association of the Company relating to indemnification as mentioned in section (ii)
above; |
|
(iv) |
to
approve and ratify the purchase of new directors and officers insurance; |
|
(v) |
to
approve the remuneration for an independent director of the Company; |
|
(vi) |
to
nominate a new external director (Dahatz) (External Director)
and to approve his remuneration; and |
|
(vii) |
to
approve an adjustment of the remuneration of the current External Director. |
Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 2006 will be entitled to
receive notice of, and to vote at the EGM, subject to the restrictions in the
Companys Articles of Association, as set forth in the attached Proxy Statement. All
shareholders are cordially invited to attend the EGM in person.
Shareholders
who will not attend the EGM in person are requested to complete, date and sign the
enclosed form of proxy and to return it promptly (and in any event at least two business
days prior to the date of the EGM) in the pre-addressed envelope provided. Shareholders
may revoke their proxies by written notice received at the offices of the Company at least
24 hours prior to the commencement of the EGM, and vote their shares in person.
The
Articles of Association of the Company also allow shareholders of the Company to vote at
the EGM by means of a deed of vote and a form of deed of vote will be made available to
shareholders registered in the Companys Shareholder Register on the record. Holders
of American Depositary Shares are not registered in the Companys Shareholder
Register but may instruct the Depositary, JPMorgan Chase Bank, as to the exercise of the
voting rights pertaining to the Ordinary Shares evidenced by their American Depositary
Shares, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Depositary Agreement governing the
American Depositary Shares.
Registered
joint holders of shares should take note that, pursuant to the Articles of Association of
the Company, only the first named joint holder of any share shall vote, either in person,
by proxy, or by deed of vote, without taking into account the other registered joint
holder(s) of the share. For this purpose, the first named joint holder shall be the person
whose name is registered first in the Shareholder Register.
Copies
of the proposed resolutions are available at our offices, 8 Haamal Street, Rosh
Haayin, Israel, every business day from 9 AM to 5 PM (Israel time). Our telephone
number is +972-54-781-4191.
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors,
ROLY KLINGER, ADV. Vice President
Chief Legal Counsel and Joint Company Secretary |
2
PARTNER COMMUNICATIONS
COMPANY LTD.
8 Haamal Street
Rosh Haayin
48092, Israel
PROXY STATEMENT
This
Proxy Statement is furnished to the holders of Ordinary Shares, par value NIS 0.01 per
share (the Ordinary Shares), including holders of American Depositary
Shares (each representing one Ordinary Share, the ADSs) of Partner
Communications Company Ltd. (the Company or Partner)
in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of proxies for use at an
Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (the EGM), to be held on
Thursday, March 23, 2006 commencing at 10:00 am (Israel time), at our offices, 8
Haamal Street, Rosh Haayin, Israel, or at any adjournments thereof.
It
is proposed at the EGM to adopt the following resolutions:
|
(i) |
to
authorize the distribution of a cash dividend in the amount of NIS 0.65 per
share to shareholders of record on April 10, 2006. |
|
(ii) |
to
approve the amendments to the Articles of Association of the Company
described in this Proxy Statement relating principally to recent changes
in indemnification of directors and officers under the Israeli Companies
Law; to the convening of general meetings; to the approval processes for
dividend distributions and to certain transactions with directors and
officers or transactions in which directors and officers have a personal
interest; |
|
(iii) |
to
approve the grant of the Indemnification Letter to all current and future
directors and officers of the Company, subject to the approval of the
amendments to the Articles of Association of the Company relating to
indemnification as mentioned in section (ii) above; |
|
(iv) |
to
approve and ratify the purchase of new directors and officers insurance; |
|
(v) |
to
approve the remuneration for an independent director of the Company; |
|
(vi) |
to
nominate a new External Director and to approve his remuneration; and |
|
(vii) |
to
approve an adjustment of the remuneration of the current External Director. |
A
form of proxy for use at the EGM and a return envelope for the proxy are enclosed.
Shareholders may revoke their proxies by written notice received at the offices of the
Company at least 24 hours prior to the commencing of the EGM and vote their shares in
person. Ordinary Shares represented by any proxy in the enclosed form, if the proxy is
properly executed and delivered to the Company at least two business days prior to the
date of the EGM, will be voted as indicated on the form or, if no preference is noted,
will be voted in favor of the matters described above, and in such manner as the holder of
the proxy may determine with respect to any other business as may come before the EGM or
any adjournment thereof.
3
Proxies
for use at the EGM are being solicited by the Board of Directors of the Company. Only
shareholders of record at the close of business on March 2, 2006 will be entitled to
receive notice of, and to vote at the EGM. Proxies are being mailed to shareholders on or
about March 2, 2006 and will be solicited primarily by mail; however, certain of our
officers, directors, employees and agents, none of whom will receive additional
compensation therefore, may solicit proxies by telephone, telegram or other personal
contact. We will bear the cost of the solicitation of the proxies by the Board of
Directors, including postage, printing and handling, and will reimburse the reasonable
expenses of brokerage firms and others for forwarding material to beneficial owners of
Ordinary Shares.
On
February 22, 2006, the Company had outstanding 152,868,203 Ordinary Shares. The holder of
each Ordinary Share is entitled to one vote upon each of the matters to be presented at
the EGM. Two or more shareholders holding Ordinary Shares conferring in the aggregate at
least one-third of our voting rights, present in person or by proxy at the EGM, or who
have delivered to us a deed of vote, and entitled to vote, will constitute a quorum at the
EGM.
ITEM 1
DISTRIBUTION OF DIVIDEND
Under
the Articles of Association of the Company, distribution of a dividend requires the
approval of the Companys shareholders. On February 1st, 2006 the
Companys Board of Directors approved, and resolved to recommend to the shareholders
of the Company to approve, the distribution of a cash dividend in the amount of NIS 0.65
per share, and totaling approximately NIS 100 million. Assuming approval by the
Companys shareholders, the dividend is to be paid to shareholders of record on April
10th, 2006. The Company expects to pay the dividend on April 27th,
2006.
It
is proposed that at the EGM the following resolution be adopted:
RESOLVED,
to distribute a cash dividend in the amount of NIS 0.65 per share (totaling approximately
NIS 100 million) to shareholders of record on April 10th, 2006.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of majority of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or
by proxy, and voting on the matter is required for the approval of this resolution.
The board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of this proposed resolution.
4
ITEM 2
AMENDMENTS TO THE COMPANYS
ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION
A. |
Indemnification
of Directors and Officers |
In
March 2005, several sections of the Companies Law were amended in connection with the
indemnification of directors and officers. Among the changes was the adding of a new
category of indemnifiable expenses: reasonable litigation expenses, including attorneys
fees, expended by the officer or director as a result of an investigation or proceeding
instituted against him by a competent authority, provided that such investigation or
proceeding concluded without the filing of an indictment against him and either (A) concluded
without the imposition of any financial liability in lieu of criminal proceedings or (B) concluded
with the imposition of a financial liability in lieu of criminal proceedings but relates
to a criminal offense that does not require proof of criminal intent.
A
company may indemnify an officer or director after the fact, to the extent it is approved
by the audit committee, board of directors and shareholders. With respect to undertakings
to indemnify in the future, the Companies Law prior to the March 2005 amendment required
that the undertaking be limited to types of occurrences which, in the opinion of the
companys board of directors, can be foreseen and to an amount the board of directors
has determined is reasonable under the circumstances. The March 2005 amendment modifies
this condition. It limits indemnification to occurrences deemed foreseeable by the board
of directors in light of the actual activities of the company at the time the undertaking
to indemnify is entered into. In addition, in lieu of limiting the indemnification to a
maximum amount, the limit can be based on specified criteria. Finally, the undertaking
must set forth the events deemed foreseeable by the board of directors and the maximum
amount or criteria that the board of directors has determined to be reasonable under the
circumstances. The March 2005 amendment applies these conditions only to financial
obligations imposed by a court judgment, settlement or court-approved arbitration award
but not to expenses incurred.
In
light of these amendments, our Board of Directors has approved, subject to the approval of
our shareholders, an amendment to Article 34 of our Articles of Association in order
to more accurately reflect the current provisions of the Companies Law. The amended
Articles of Association are attached hereto as Exhibit A.
The
actual grant of indemnification shall require separate shareholder resolution (Please see
Item 3 below).
We
believe that the proposed amendment will help us to attract and retain officers and
directors of the high caliber needed to manage the Company effectively and responsibly.
5
B. |
Conforming
to new regulations concerning the convening of general meetings |
New
regulations concerning the convening of general meetings were published recently: Voting
by Writing and Position Papers Regulations 5766-2005 and Publishing of a Notice of
a General Meeting and a Class Meeting of a Public Company (amendment) Regulations
5766-2005 (the New Regulations).
Those
New Regulations enable shareholders, inter alia, to vote in writing at general meetings of
shareholders in public companies, on certain issues, without being required to attend the
meetings or without appointing an alternate to attend the meetings through a proxy.
According to the New Regulations, companies are entitled (although not required) to enable
voting via the internet. Under the New Regulations, changes have been made with regard to
the procedure for public companies to notify the convening of general meetings and with
regard to the way general meetings are convened and conducted;
The
majority of the instructions under the New Regulations will take effect on general
meetings to be convened as of April 2, 2006.
We
wish to conform the Companys Articles of Association to the New Regulations.
C. |
Approval
of Certain Related Party Transactions |
Under
Section 271 of the Companies Law, a transaction with directors and officers or a
transaction in which directors and officers have a personal interest, and which does not
constitute an extraordinary transaction (an extraordinary transaction is
a transaction that is not in the ordinary course of the Companys business, a
transaction that is not on market terms or a transaction that is liable to have a
substantial effect on the Companys profitability, property or obligations), requires
approval of the board of directors unless otherwise provided in a companys articles
of association. We propose adding a new Article 25B to our Articles of Association to
permit transactions of this type to be approved by our audit committee solely. We believe
that an audit committee which consists solely of independent directors is the proper organ
to deal with these types of transactions.
D. |
Dividend
Distribution Approval |
Our
existing Articles of Association require shareholder approval for the distribution of a
dividend by the Company. The Companies Law permits such an approval to be made by a
companys board of directors, and accordingly we propose that our Articles of
Association be amended to provide for Board approval instead of shareholder approval for
dividend distributions, as this is the common practice in Israel.
|
(1) |
It
is proposed to change Section 23.3.1 to the Articles of Association, in a way
that election of directors shall not be conducted by separate vote on each
candidate, unless so determined by the Board of Directors; and |
6
|
(2) |
It
is proposed to delete Chapter 10 of the Articles of Associations, which deals
with transitional rules until the Companies Law shall be effective, as the
Companies Law is already in effect, and Chapter 10 is no longer
applicable. |
It
is proposed that at the EGM the following resolution be adopted:
RESOLVED,
to approve the amended Articles of Associations of the Company, as attached hereto as
Exhibit A.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of 75% of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or by
proxy, and voting on the matter is required for this amendment to our Articles of
Association.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of this proposed resolution.
ITEM
3 APPROVAL OF THE GRANT OF AN INDEMNIFICATION
LETTER TO ALL CURRENT AND FUTURE
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
OF THE COMPANY
The
Companies Law and the Companys Articles of Association1 authorize the
Company, subject to the required approvals, to indemnify each current and future director
and officer of the Company for liabilities or expenses he incurs as a result of action or
inaction undertaken by him (or together with other directors and/or officers of the
Company) in his capacity as a director or officer of the Company for:
|
(i) |
financial
liability incurred or imposed in accordance with a judgment, including a
judgment given in a settlement or a judgment of an arbitrator approved by a
court, provided that such acts pertain to one or more of the events set
forth in the Indemnification Letter, which, in the opinion of the Board of
Directors of the Company, are anticipated in light of the Companys
activities at the grant of indemnification and is limited to the sum or
measurement of indemnification determined by the Board of Directors to be
reasonable given the circumstances and set forth in the Indemnification
Letter; |
|
(ii) |
reasonable
litigation expenses, including legal fees, incurred or ordered by a court
in the context of proceedings filed by or on behalf of the Company or by a
third party, or in a criminal proceeding in which the director or officer
is acquitted or if convicted, for an offense which does not require
criminal intent; and |
|
(iii) |
reasonable
litigation expenses, including legal fees incurred due to an investigation or
proceeding conducted by an authority authorized to conduct such investigation
or proceeding and which has ended without the filing of an indictment against
the director or officer and either (i) no financial liability was imposed on
the director or officer in lieu of criminal proceedings, or (ii) financial
liability was imposed on the director or officer in lieu of criminal
proceedings but the alleged criminal offense does not require proof of criminal
intent, within the meaning of the relevant terms in the law. |
1
As amended pursuant to the shareholders resolution in item 2(A) above.
7
The
Companies Law provides that the Company may not indemnify a director or officer from his
liability for: (a) a breach of duty of loyalty toward the Company unless the director or
officer acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to assume that the action would not
harm the Company; (b) a breach of duty of care done intentionally or recklessly
(pezizut) except for negligence; (c) an intentional act intended to unlawfully
yield a personal profit; and (d) a fine or a penalty imposed upon the director or officer.
In
light of the recent amendments to the Companies Law, the Company wishes to issue to all
current and future directors and officers of the Company, or serving as directors or
officers on behalf of the Company in other companies, a new indemnification letter
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (the
Indemnification Letter). The aggregate indemnification amount payable
by the Company to all the directors and officers pursuant to all letters of
indemnification issued or that may be issued to them by the Company in the future will not
exceed the higher of (i) 25% of shareholders equity and (ii) 25% of market capitalization,
each as measured at the time of indemnification.
The
Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company have approved the grant of the
new Indemnification Letter to current and future directors and officers of the Company.
It
is proposed, in accordance with the Companies Law and the Companys Articles of
Association, that at the EGM the following resolution be adopted:
RESOLVED,
to approve the Companys undertaking to indemnify the Companys current and
future directors and officers and those serving now or in the future as directors or
officers on its behalf in other companies, and to provide each such director and officer
with an Indemnification Letter substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or
by proxy, and voting on the matter is required for the approval thereof.
For
removal of any doubt, in case that at the EGM the above-mentioned resolution will not be
adopted, the current indemnifications letter granted to directors and officers shall
remain in force.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of this proposed resolution.
8
ITEM 4 APPROVAL
AND RATIFICATION OF THE PURCHASE OF A
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS INSURANCE POLICY
The
Israeli Companies Law allows a company, to enter into a contract for the insurance of the
liability of its officers and directors, resulting from the consequences of an action or
inaction by him (or together with other directors or officers of the Company) in his or
her capacity as a officer or director of the Company for:
|
(i) |
breach
of the duty of care toward the Company or toward any other person; |
|
(ii) |
breach
of the duty of loyalty toward the Company, provided that the officer or
director acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to assume that the
action would not harm the Company; and |
|
(iii) |
financial
liability imposed on the officer or director in favor of another person. |
The
Company is participating in a Directors and Officers Liability Insurance
Policy (the New Policy) procured by our major shareholder, Hutchison
Telecommunications International Limited (HTIL). The New Policy, which
replaced, effective November 1, 2005, our existing Directors and Officers
Liability Policy, provides for coverage in an aggregate amount for HTIL and its
participating subsidiaries, including the Company, of up to US$100 million. Our
participation in the annual premium for the New Policy is expected to be substantially
lower than the annual premium we paid for our previous policy which was approximately US$2
million, should HTIL or its affiliates decide to debit their subsidiaries of their
respective share of the premium paid for the New Policy.
The
Audit Committee and the Board of Directors have approved the New Policy and have approved
(i) any renewal or extension of our participation in the New Policy; and (ii) the purchase
of any other directors and officers liability insurance policy; provided that
any such renewal or extension or purchase of an insurance policy is for coverage similar
to or better than that of the New Policy, and with a premium not exceeding US$1 million
per annum.
It
is proposed, in accordance with the Companies Law, that at the EGM the following
resolutions be adopted:
RESOLVED,
to approve and ratify the Companys participation in the New Policy for the benefit
of the Companys directors and officers and
RESOLVED,
to approve (i) any renewal or extension of the Companys participation in the New
Policy; and (ii) the purchase of any other directors and officers liability
insurance policy; provided that any such renewal or extension or purchase of an insurance
policy is for coverage that is substantially similar to or better than that of the New
Policy, and the premium payable by the Company for any such renewal, extension or purchase
shall not exceed US$1 million per annum.
9
Since
the New Policy is procured by our major shareholder HTIL, which is considered a
controlling shareholder under the Companies Law, for the sake of good order,
the approval by the shareholders of such a transaction requires approval by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or
by proxy, and voting on the matter for the approval thereof, provided that either (a) the
majority of the Ordinary Shares voted at the meeting includes at least one-third of the
Ordinary Shares voted by shareholders who do not have a personal interest in the matter;
or (b) the total Ordinary Shares of the shareholders referred to in clause (a) voted
against the matter does not exceed one percent of the aggregate voting rights of the
Company.
Under
the Companies Law, a personal interest of a shareholder (i) includes a
personal interest of any members of the shareholders immediate family (or spouses
thereof) or a personal interest of an entity in which the shareholder (or such family
member thereof) serves as a director or as the chief executive officer, owns at least 5%
of its issued share capital or its voting rights or has the right to appoint a director or
the chief executive officer and (ii) excludes an interest arising solely from the
ownership of shares in the Company. Each shareholder is asked to indicate on the enclosed
proxy card whether or not he has a personal interest in this matter as a condition for his
right to vote and be counted with respect to such resolution.
The
Company believes that HTIL has a personal interest in this matter.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of these proposed resolutions.
ITEM 5 APPROVAL OF REMUNERATION OF MR. EREZ GISSIN,
ACTING AS AN INDEPENDENT DIRECTOR OF THE COMPANY
The
Board of Directors of the Company resolved on September, 13, 2005, to appoint Mr. Erez
Gissin as a director of the Company, also qualified as an independent director, accroding
to US law. The Company wishes to approve an annual payment to Mr. Gissin in the amount of
US$50,000.00 and believes that the annual payment is appropriate compensation for an
independent director serving on its Board of Directors and its committees.
The
Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company resolved to approve the
following remuneration to Mr. Gissin acting as a director of the Company, also qualified
as an independent director of the Company, effective from his appointment as an
independent director of the Company, on September 13, 2005:
|
(i) |
annual
remuneration of US$50,000.00; and |
|
(ii) |
reimbursement
of certain expenses, as permitted under the Companies Regulations (Rules for
the Compensation and Expenses for an External Director), 2000 (the Compensation
Regulations), as may be amended from time to time. |
10
It
is proposed, in accordance with the Companies Law, that at the EGM the following
resolutions be adopted:
RESOLVED,
to approve the following, effective from Mr. Gissins appointment as a director of
the Company on September 13, 2005:
|
(i) |
annual
remuneration of US$50,000.00; and |
|
(ii) |
reimbursement
of certain expenses as permitted under the Compensation Regulations as may
be amended from time to time; and |
RESOLVED
that the foregoing resolution does not harm the interests of the Company
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or
by proxy, and voting on the matter is required for the approval thereof.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of these proposed resolutions.
ITEM 6
APPOINTMENT AND REMUNERATION OF A NEW
EXTERNAL DIRECTOR
A. |
Appointment of a new External Director |
Mr.
Ben-Zion Zilberfarbs office as an External Director of the Company
expired in February 2006.
The
Board of Directors of the Company resolved to recommend to the shareholders of the Company
to approve the appointment of Mr. Michael Anghel (Mr. Anghel) as an
External Director of the Company, also qualified as an independent director, according to
the US law, for a term of three years commencing on the date of this EGM. The CV of Mr.
Anghel is attached hereto as Exhibit C;
Mr. Anghel
declared that he is qualified to act as an External Director of the Company and
that he has qualifications as a finance and audit expertise required under the
Companies Law and the Companies Regulations (Conditions and Parameters for a
Director with Finance and Audit Expertise and for Director with Professional
Ability), 2005 (the Expertise Regulations);
The
Board resolved, based on the CV of Mr. Anghel, that Mr. Anghel has finance and audit
expertise, as required under the Companies Law and the Expertise Regulations.
It
is proposed, in accordance with the Companies Law, that at the EGM the following
resolutions be adopted:
11
RESOLVED,
to approve the appointment of Mr. Anghel as an External Director of the Company, also
qualified as an independent director according to the US law, for a term of three years
commencing the date of this EGM.
The
election of an external director under the Companies Law requires approval by the general
meeting of the shareholders provided that either (a) the majority of the votes at the
meeting, including at least one third of the votes of non-controlling shareholders voted
at the meeting, voted in favor of the resolution, or (b) the total number of votes against
the resolution among the shareholders mentioned in paragraph (a) above does not exceed one
percent of the aggregate voting rights in the Company.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of these proposed resolutions.
B. |
Remuneration
of the new External Director |
According
to the Compensation Regulations, a company may pay an external director a fixed
remuneration (as set in the Compensation Regulations and in the Companies Regulations
(Alleviation for Public Companies whose Shares are Traded on a Stock Exchange Outside of
Israel), 2002) or a remuneration relative to the remuneration of Other Directors (as
defined in the Compensation Regulations) (Relative Remuneration).
As
the Company has less than 2 Other Directors, it may, under clause 8A(c) to the
Compensation Regulations, set a Relative Remuneration for an external director at its
discretion.
In
light of the above, the Company wishes to set for Mr. Anghel, who is also qualified as an
independent director according to US law, a remuneration which is the same as the
remuneration proposed under Item 5 of this EGM to Mr. Erez Gissin, who is also qualified
as an independent director.
The
Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company resolved to approve and to
recommend to the shareholders at the next EGM to approve the remuneration for Mr. Anghel,
as mentioned in Item 5 above, from the date of his appointment as an External Director of
the Company.
It
is proposed, in accordance with the Companies Law, that at the EGM the following
resolutions be adopted:
RESOLVED,
to approve the payment of the following remuneration to Mr. Anghel, from the date of his
appointment as an External Director of the Company:
|
i. |
annual
remuneration of US$50,000.00; and |
|
ii. |
reimbursement
of certain expenses, as permitted under the Compensation Regulations, as may be
amended from time to time; and |
12
RESOLVED,
that the foregoing resolutions do not harm the interests of the Company.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or
by proxy, and voting on the matter is required for the approval thereof.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of these proposed resolutions.
ITEM 7 ADJUSTMENT OF
THE REMUNERATION OF THE
CURRENT EXTERNAL DIRECTOR
According
to clauses 4(c) and 8(c) to the Compensation Regulations, the remuneration of all external
directors should be the same, and a company may adjust the remuneration for the benefit of
a current external director, upon the appointment of a new external director.
Subject
to the appointment of Mr. Anghel as the new External Director under item 6(A) of this EGM,
the Company wishes to adjust the remuneration of Mr. Moshe Vidman, the current External
Director, to match the remuneration approved for the new External Director.
The
Audit Committee and the Board of Directors of the Company resolved to approve and to
recommend to the shareholders at the next EGM to approve adjustment of the remuneration of
the current External Director, to match the remuneration of the new External Director.
It
is proposed, in accordance with the Companies Law, that at the EGM the following
resolutions be adopted:
RESOLVED,
to approve the payment of the following remuneration to the current External Director,
from the date of appointment of the new External Director of the Company:
|
i. |
annual
remuneration of US$50,000.00; and |
|
ii. |
reimbursement
of certain expenses, as permitted under the Compensation Regulations, as may be
amended from time to time; and |
RESOLVED,
that the foregoing resolution does not harm the interests of the Company.
The
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Ordinary Shares present, in person or
by proxy, and voting on the matter is required for the approval thereof.
The
Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR approval of these proposed resolutions.
13
RESTRICTIONS ON VOTING
RIGHTS
Partner
conducts its operations pursuant to a license granted to Partner by the Minister of
Communications of the State of Israel. Partners Articles of Association and, with
respect to shareholders other than shareholders of Partner prior to its public offering,
Partners license contain provisions that may cause the suspension of voting rights
of the holders of Ordinary Shares or ADSs if such voting rights would breach the ownership
limits contained in our license. These limits prohibit the transfer or acquisition of 10%
or more of Partners means of control and acquisition of control of the Company
without the consent of the Minister of Communications in Israel, and restrict
cross-control and cross-ownership of other mobile telephone operators in Israel, and
shareholdings and agreements which may reduce or harm competition. Ordinary Shares or
Ordinary Shares represented by ADSs held in breach of these limits may be considered as
dormant shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Proxy Statement, dormant
shares will not bear any rights to which the holders would otherwise be entitled, other
than the right to receive dividends and other distributions to shareholders (including the
right to participate in rights offerings). Specifically, the holders of dormant shares
will not have voting rights with respect to their dormant shares, nor will they have the
right to participate in EGM of shareholders.
Any
shareholder seeking to vote at the EGM must notify the Company prior to the vote, or, if
the vote is by deed of vote, must so indicate on the deed of vote, if any of the
shareholders holdings in Partner or the shareholders vote requires the consent
of the Minister of Communications due to a breach by the shareholder of the restrictions
on the transfer or acquisition of means of control or acquisition of control of Partner,
or the provisions regarding cross-ownership or cross-control of other mobile telephone
operators in Israel, in each case as specified in sections 21 and 23 of Partners
license. If a shareholder does not provide such notification, the shareholder shall not
vote and, if the shareholder has voted, his or her vote shall not be counted.
|
|
By Order of the Board of Directors
ROLY KLINGER, ADV. Vice President
Chief Legal Counsel and Joint Company Secretary |
Dated: March 2, 2006
14
Annex A
Articles of Association
of
Partner Communications
Company Ltd.
Table of Contents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1. |
Definitions and Interpretation |
3 |
2. |
Public Company |
5 |
3. |
The Purpose of the Company |
5 |
4. |
The Objectives of the Company |
5 |
5. |
Limited Liability |
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6. |
Share Capital |
5 |
7. |
The Issuance of Shares and Other Equity Securities |
6 |
8. |
Calls for Payment |
6 |
9. |
The Shareholder Registers of the Company and the Issuance of Share Certificates |
8 |
10. |
Transfer of Shares of the Company |
9 |
10A. |
Limitations on Transfer of Shares |
12 |
10B. |
Required Minimum Holdings |
13 |
11. |
Bearer Share Certificate |
14 |
12. |
Pledge of Shares |
14 |
13. |
Changes in the Share Capital |
14 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
14. |
The Authority of the General Meeting |
17 |
15. |
Kinds of General Meetings |
18 |
16. |
The Holding of General Meetings |
19 |
17. |
The Agenda of General Meetings |
20 |
18. |
Discussions in General Meetings |
20 |
19. |
Voting of the Shareholders |
22 |
20. |
The Appointment of a Proxy |
24 |
21. |
Deed of Vote, Voting Via the Internet |
26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
22. |
The Authority of the Board of Directors |
29 |
23. |
The Appointment of Directors and the Termination of Their Office |
29 |
24. |
Actions of Directors |
34 |
25. |
Committees of the Board of Directors |
37 |
26. |
Chairman of the Board of Directors |
39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
27. |
The General Manager |
40 |
28. |
The Corporate Secretary, Internal Controller and Other Officers of the Company |
42 |
29. |
The Auditor |
43 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30. |
Permitted Distributions |
44 |
31. |
Dividends and Bonus Shares |
44 |
32. |
The Acquisition of Shares |
48 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
33. |
Insurance of Officers |
48 |
34. |
Indemnification of Officers |
49 |
35. |
Release of Officers |
50 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
36. |
Liquidation |
50 |
37. |
Reorganization |
51 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
39. |
Intentionally DeletedApplicability |
52 |
40. |
Intentionally DeletedIndemnification of Officers |
53 |
41. |
Intentionally DeletedExemption for Officers |
53 |
42. |
Intentionally DeletedInterpretation |
54 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
43. |
Compliance |
54 |
44. |
Limitations on Ownership and Control |
54 |
2
Chapter One
General
1. |
Definitions
and Interpretation |
|
1.1. |
The
following terms in these Articles of Association bear the meaning appearing
alongside them below: |
|
Articles of Association |
The
Articles of Association of the Company, as set forth herein or as
amended, whether explicitly or pursuant to any
Law. |
|
Business Day |
Sunday
to Thursday, inclusive, with the exception of holidays and official
days of rest in the State of Israel. |
|
Companies Law |
The
Companies Law, 1999. |
|
Companies Ordinance |
The
Companies Ordinance [New Version], 1983. |
|
Companies Regulations |
Regulations
issued pursuant to the Companies Ordinance or Companies Law. |
|
Director |
A
Director of the Company in accordance with the definition in Section 1 of
the Companies Law, including an
Alternate Director or an empowered
representative. |
|
Document |
A
printout and any other form of written or printed words, including
documents transmitted in writing, via
facsimile, telegram, telex, e-mail, on a
computer or through any other electronic instrumentation, producing or
allowing the production of a copy and/or an
output of a document. |
|
Founding Shareholder |
A
"founding shareholder or its substitute" as defined in Section 21.8 of the
License. |
|
Founding Israeli Shareholder |
A
Founding Shareholder who also qualifies as an "Israeli Entity" as defined
for purposes of Section 22A of the License. |
|
Financial Statements |
The
balance sheet, profit and loss statement, statement of changes in the
share capital and cash flow statements,
including the notes attached to them. |
|
Law |
The
provisions of any law ("din") as defined in the Interpretation Law, 1981. |
|
License |
The
Company's General License for the Provision of Mobile Radio Telephone
Services using the Cellular Method in Israel
dated April 7, 1998, and the permit issued by
the Ministry of Communications dated April 7, 1998. |
3
|
Linkage |
Payments
with respect to changes in the Israeli consumer price index or the
representative exchange rate of NIS vis-a-vis
the U.S. dollar, as published by the Bank of
Israel, or any other rate which replaces such rate. |
|
Minimum Founding Shareholders Holding |
The
minimum shareholding in the Company required to be held by Founding
Shareholders pursuant to Section 22A.1 of the License. |
|
Minimum Israeli Holding |
The
minimum shareholding in the Company required to be held by Founding
Israeli Shareholders pursuant to Section 22A.2
of the License. |
|
Office |
The
registered office of the Company. |
|
Ordinary Majority |
A
simple majority of the shareholders who are entitled to vote and who voted
in a General Meeting in person, by means of a
proxy or by means of a deed of voting. |
|
Periodic Statement |
According
to its definition in Chapter B of the Securities Regulations
(Periodic and Immediate Reports), 1970, or
such Securities Regulations replacing them. |
|
Qualified Israeli Director |
A
director who at all times (i) is a citizen of Israel and resident in
Israel, (ii) qualifies to serve as a director
under applicable law, (iii) qualifies as a
Director with Clearance as defined in section 25A, and (iv) is
appointed to the Board of Directors of the
Company pursuant to section 23.2.6 of these
Articles. |
|
Record Date |
The
date on which a shareholder must be registered as a Shareholder in order
to receive the right to participate in
and vote at an upcoming general meeting of
Shareholders. |
|
Securities |
Shares,
bonds, capital notes or securities negotiable into shares and
certificates, conferring a right in such
securities, or other securities issued by
the Company. |
|
Securities Law |
The
Securities Law, 1968. |
|
Securities Regulations |
Regulations
issued pursuant to the Securities Law. |
|
Shares |
shares
in the share capital of the Company. |
|
Shareholder |
Anyone
registered as a shareholder in the Shareholder Register of the Company. |
4
|
Special Majority |
A
majority of at least three quarters of the votes of shareholders who are
entitled to vote and who voted in a general
meeting, in person, by means of a proxy or by
means of a deed of voting. |
|
1.2. |
The
provisions of Sections 3 through 10 of the Interpretation Law, 1981, shall also
apply to the interpretation of these Articles of Association, mutatis mutandis,
unless the context otherwise requires. |
|
1.3. |
Except
as otherwise provided in this Article, each word and expression in these
Articles of Association shall have the meaning given to it in accordance with
the Companies Law, and to the extent that no meaning is attached to it in the
Companies Law, the meaning given to it in the Companies Regulations, and if
they lack reference thereto, as stated, the meaning given to it in the
Securities Law or Securities Regulations, and in the absence of any meaning, as
stated, the meaning given to it in another Law, unless it contradicts the
relevant provision or its contents. |
|
The
Company is a public company. |
3. |
The
Purpose of the Company |
|
The
purpose of the Company is to operate in accordance with business considerations to
generate profits; provided, however, the Board of Directors is entitled to donate
reasonable amounts to worthy causes, even if such a donation is not within the framework
of business considerations, as stated. |
4. |
The
Objectives of the Company |
|
The
Company shall engage in any legal business. |
|
The
liability of the Shareholders of the Company is limited, each one up to the full amount
he undertook to pay for the Shares allotted to him, at the time of the allotment. |
Chapter Two The
Share Capital of the Company
|
6.1. |
The
authorized share capital of the Company is NIS 2,350,000, divided into
235,000,000 ordinary shares at a par value of NIS 0.01 each (hereinafter: the
Ordinary Shares). |
5
|
6.2. |
Each
Ordinary Share shall confer upon its holder the right to receive notices of,
and to attend and vote in, general meetings, and to one vote for each Ordinary
Share held by him. |
|
6.3. |
Each
class of Shares shall also confer equal rights to each holder in the class with
respect to the amounts of equity which were paid or credited as paid with
respect to their par value, in all matters pertaining to dividends, the
distribution of bonus shares and any other distribution, return of capital and
participation in the distribution of the balance of the assets of the Company
upon liquidation. |
|
6.4. |
The
provisions of these Articles of Association with respect to Shares, shall also
apply to other Securities issued by the Company, mutatis mutandis. |
7. |
The
Issuance of Shares and Other Securities |
|
7.1. |
The
Board of Directors of the Company may issue Shares and other equity Securities
of the Company, up to the limit of the registered share capital of the Company.
In the event that the share capital of the Company includes several classes of
Shares and other equity Securities, no shares and other equity Securities shall
be issued above the limit of the registered share capital for its class. |
|
7.2. |
The
Board of Directors of the Company may issue redeemable Securities, having such
rights and subject to such conditions as will be determined by the Board of
Directors. |
|
7.3. |
Subject
to the provisions of these Articles of Association, the Board of Directors may
allot Shares and other Securities according to such stipulations and
conditions, at par value or by way of a premium, as it deems fit. |
|
7.4. |
The
Board of Directors may decide on the issuance of a series of bonds or other
debt securities within the framework of its authority or to take a loan on
behalf of the Company and within the limits of the same authority. |
|
7.5. |
The
Shareholders of the Company at any given time shall not have any preemption
right or priority or any other right whatsoever with respect to the acquisition
of Securities of the Company. The Board of Directors, in its sole discretion,
may decide to offer Securities of the Company first to existing Shareholders or
to any one or more of them. |
|
7.6. |
The
Company is entitled to pay a commission (including underwriting fees) to any
person, in consideration for underwriting services, or the marketing or
distribution of Securities of the Company, whether reserved or unreserved, as
determined by the Board of Directors. Payments, as stated in this Article, may
be paid in cash or in Securities of the Company, or partly in one manner and
partly in another manner. |
6
|
8.1. |
In
the event that according to the terms of a Share allotment, there is no fixed
date for the payment of any part of the price that is to be paid for the
Shares, the Board of Directors may issue from time to time calls of payment to
the Shareholders with respect to the moneys which were not yet paid by them in
relation to the Shares (hereinafter: Calls of Payment or a
Call of Payment, as the case may be). |
|
8.2. |
A
Call of Payment shall set a date, which will not be earlier than thirty days
from the date of the notice, by which the amount indicated in the Call of
Payment must be paid, together with interest, Linkage and expenses incurred in
consequence of the nonpayment, according to the rates and amounts set by
the Board of Directors. The notice shall further specify that in the event of a
failure to pay within the date fixed, the Shares in respect of which payment or
the rate is required may be forfeited. In the event that a Shareholder fails to
meet any of its obligations, under a Call of Payment, the Share in respect of
which said notice was issued pursuant to the resolution of the Board of
Directors may be forfeited at any time thereafter. The forfeiture of Shares
shall include the forfeiture of all the dividends on same Shares which were not
paid prior to the forfeiture, even if such dividends were declared. |
|
8.3. |
Any
amount, which according to the terms of a Share allotment, must be paid at the
time of issuance or at a fixed date, whether at the par value of the Share or
at a premium, shall be deemed for the purposes of these Articles of Association
to be combined in a duly issued Call of Payment. In the event of non-payment of
any such amount, all the provisions of these Articles of Association shall
apply with respect to such an amount, as if a proper Call of Payment has been
made and an appropriate notice thereof was given. |
|
8.4. |
The
Board of Directors, acting reasonably and in good faith, may differentiate
among Shareholders with respect to amounts of Calls of Payment and/or their
payment time. |
|
8.5. |
The
joint holders of Shares shall be liable, jointly and severally, for the payment
of Calls of Payment in respect of such Shares. |
|
8.6. |
Any
payment for Shares shall be credited, pro rata, according to the par value of
and according to the premium on such Shares. |
|
8.7. |
A
Call of Payment may be cancelled or deferred to another date, as may be decided
by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may waive any interest,
Linkage and expenses or any part of them. |
|
8.8. |
The
Board of Directors may receive from a Shareholder any payments for his Shares,
in addition to the amount of any Call of Payment, and the Board of Directors
may pay to the same Shareholder interest on amounts which were paid in advance,
as stated above, or on same part of them, in excess of the amount of the Call
of Payment, or to make any other arrangement with him which may compensate him
for the advancement of the payment. |
7
|
8.9. |
A
Shareholder shall not be entitled to a dividend or to his other rights as a
Shareholder, unless he has fully paid the amounts specified in the Calls of
Payment issued to him, together with interest, Linkage and expenses, if any,
unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. |
|
8.10. |
The
Board of Directors is entitled to sell, re-allot or transfer in any other
manner any Share which was forfeited, in the manner it decides, with or without
any amount paid on the Share or deemed as paid on it. |
|
8.11. |
The
Board of Directors is entitled at all times prior to the sale, reallotment or
transfer of the forfeited Share to cancel the forfeiture on the conditions it
may decide. |
|
8.12. |
A
person whose Shares have been forfeited shall, notwithstanding the forfeiture,
remain liable to pay to the Company all moneys which, up until the date of
forfeiture, were due and payable by him to the Company in respect of the
Shares, including interest, Linkage and expenses up until the actual payment
date in the same manner as if the Shares were not forfeited, and shall be
compelled to fulfill all the requirements and claims which the Company was
entitled to enforce with respect to the Shares up until the forfeiture date,
without any decrease or discount for the value of the Shares at the time of
forfeiture. His liability shall cease only if and when the Company receives the
full payment set at the time of allotment of the Shares. |
|
8.13. |
The
Board of Directors may collect any Calls of Payment which were not paid on the
forfeited Shares or any part of them, as it deems fit, but it is not obligated
to do so. |
|
8.14. |
The
forfeiture of a Share shall cause, as of the time of forfeiture, the
cancellation of all rights in the Company and of any claim or demand against
the Company with respect to that Share, and of other rights and obligations of
the Shareholder in respect of the Company, save as otherwise provided by Law. |
9. |
The
Shareholder Registers of the Company and the Issuance of Share Certificates |
|
9.1. |
The
Company shall maintain a Shareholder Register and a Register of Significant
Shareholders, together with a notation of any Exceptional Holdings in
accordance with the provisions set forth in Article 10A below, to be
administered by the corporate secretary of the Company, subject to the
oversight of the Board of Directors. |
|
9.2. |
A
Shareholder is entitled to receive from the Company, free of charge, within two
months after an allotment or the registration of a transfer (unless the
conditions of the allotment fix a different period) one or several certificates
with respect to all the Shares of a certain class registered in his favor,
which certificate must specify the number of the Shares, the class of the
Shares and the amount paid for them and also any other detail deemed important
by the Board of Directors. In the event a Share is held jointly, the Company
shall not be obligated to issue more than one certificate for all the joint
holders, and the delivery of such a certificate to any of the joint holders
shall be viewed as if it was delivered to all of them. |
8
|
9.3. |
Each
and every Share certificate shall be stamped with the seal or the stamp of the
Company or bear the Companys printed name, and shall also bear the
signature of one Director and of the corporate secretary of the Company, or of
two Directors or of any other person appointed by the Board of Directors for
this purpose. |
|
9.4. |
The
Company is entitled to issue a new Share certificate in place of an issued
Share certificate which was lost or spoiled or corrupted, following evidence
thereto and guarantees and indemnities, as may be required by the Company and
the payment of an amount determined by the Board of Directors. |
|
9.5. |
Where
two people or more are registered as joint holders of Shares, each of them is
entitled to acknowledge the receipt of a dividend or other payments in
connection with such jointly held Shares, and such acknowledgement of any one
of them shall be good discharge of the Companys obligation to pay such
dividend or other payments. |
|
10.1. |
The
Shares are transferable. The transfer of Shares shall not be registered unless
the Company receives a deed of transfer (hereinafter: Deed of Transfer)
or other proper Document or instrument of transfer. A Deed of Transfer shall be
drawn up in the following manner or in any substantially similar manner or in
any other manner approved by the Board of Directors. |
Deed of Transfer
|
I,
_________________, (hereinafter: The Transferor) of ____________, do hereby
transfer to ___________ (hereinafter: The Transferee) of __________, for
valuable consideration paid to me, _________ Share(s) having a par value of NIS 0.01
each, numbered ________ to ________ (inclusive), of Partner Communications Company Ltd.
(hereinafter: the Company) to hold unto the Transferee, his executors,
administrators and assigns, subject to the same terms and conditions on which I held the
same at the time of the execution hereof; and I, the said Transferee, do hereby agree to
take the said Share(s) subject to the aforesaid terms and conditions. |
|
In
witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this _____ day of _________, _____. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Transferor |
The Transferee |
|
Name: _______________ |
Name: _______________ |
|
Signature: ____________ |
Signature: ____________ |
|
|
|
Witness to the Signature of: |
|
The Transferor |
The Transferee |
|
Name: _____________ |
Name: _____________ |
|
Signature: ____________ |
Signature: ____________ |
9
|
10.2. |
The
transfer of Shares which are not fully paid, or Shares on which the Company has
a lien or pledge, shall have no validity unless approved by the Board of
Directors, which may, in its absolute discretion and without giving any
reasoning thereto, decline the registration of such a transfer. The Board of
Directors may deny a transfer of Shares as aforesaid and may also impose a
condition of the transfer of Shares as aforesaid an undertaking by the
transferee to meet the obligations of the transferor with respect to the Shares
or the obligations for which the Company has a lien or pledge on the Shares,
signed by the transferee together with the signature of a witness,
authenticating the signature of the transferee. |
|
10.3. |
The
transfer of a fraction of a Share shall lack validity. |
|
10.4. |
A
transferor of Shares shall continue to be regarded as the holder of the
transferred Shares, until the name of the transferee of the Shares is
registered in the Shareholder Register of the Company. |
|
10.5. |
A
Deed of Transfer shall be filed with the Companys office for
registration, together with the Share Certificates for the Shares which are to
be transferred (if such are issued) and also any other evidence which the
Company may require with respect to the proprietary right of the transferor or
with respect to his right to transfer the Shares. Deeds of Transfer which are
registered shall remain with the Company. The Company is not obligated to
retain the Deeds of Transfer and the Share Certificates, which may be
cancelled, after the completion of a seven-year period from the registration of
the transfer. |
|
10.6. |
A
joint Shareholder may transfer his right in a Share. In the event the
transferring Shareholder does not hold the relevant Share Certificate, the
transferor shall not be obligated to attach the Share Certificate to the Deed
of Transfer, so long as the Deed of Transfer shall indicate that the transferor
does not hold the Share Certificate, that the right he has in the Shares
therein is being transferred, and that the transferred Share is held jointly
with others, together with their details. |
|
10.7. |
The
Company may require payment of a fee for the registration of the transfer, at
an amount or a rate determined by the Board of Directors from time to time. |
|
10.8. |
The
Board of Directors may close the Shareholder Register for a period of up to
thirty days in each year. |
|
10.9. |
Subject
to Article 10.10, upon the death of a Shareholder, the Company shall recognize
the custodians or administrators of the estate or executors of the will, and in
the absence of such, the lawful heirs of the Shareholder, as the only holders
of the right for the Shares of the deceased Shareholder, after receipt of
evidence to the entitlement thereto, as determined by the Board of Directors. |
10
|
10.10. |
In
the event that a deceased Shareholder held Shares jointly with others, the
Company shall acknowledge each survivor as a joint Shareholder with respect to
said Shares, unless all the joint holders in the Share notify the Company in
writing, prior to the death of any of them, of their will that the provisions
of this Article shall not apply to them. The foregoing shall not release the
estate of a joint Shareholder of any obligation in relation to a Share which is
held jointly. |
|
10.11. |
A
person acquiring a right in Shares in consequence of being a custodian,
administrator of the estate, the heir of a Shareholder, a receiver, liquidator
or a trustee in a bankruptcy of a Shareholder or according to another provision
of the Law, is entitled, after providing evidence to his right, to the
satisfaction of the Board of Directors, to be registered as the Shareholder or
to transfer such Shares to another person, subject to the provisions of these
Articles of Association with respect to transfers. |
|
10.12. |
A
person becoming entitled to a Share because of the death of a Shareholder shall
be entitled to receive, and to give receipts for, dividends or other payments
paid or distributions made, with respect to the Share, but shall not be
entitled to receive notices with respect to General Meetings of the Company or
to participate or vote therein with respect to that Share, or to exercise any
other right of a Shareholder, until he has been registered in the Shareholder
Register as the holder of that Share. |
|
10.13. |
Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in Articles 10.5 and 10.7, the transfer of Shares as a
result of a realization of a share pledge entered into by a Shareholder of the
Company in connection with the Companys $650 million credit facility
dated August 13, 1998, as amended from time to time, will not require
additional evidence with respect to the proprietary right of the transferor or
with respect to his right to transfer the shares other than a properly
completed deed of transfer and valid Share Certificate (if issued), nor will
the Company require a fee for the registration of said transfer. |
10A. |
Limitations
on Transfer of Shares |
|
10A.1. |
Exceptional
Holdings shall be registered in the Register of Members (Shareholder Register)
together with a notation that such holdings have been classified as Exceptional
Holdings, immediately upon the Companys learning of such matter.
Notice of such registration shall be sent by the Company to the registered
holder of the Exceptional Holding and to the Minister of Communications. |
|
10A.2. |
Exceptional
Holdings, registered in the manner set forth in Article 10A.1, shall not
entitle the holder to any rights in respect to his holdings, and such holdings
shall be considered Dormant Shares within the meaning of Section
308 of the Companies Law, except, however, that the holder of such shares shall
be entitled to receive dividends and other distributions to shareholders
(including the right to participate in a rights offering calculated on the
basis of Means of Control of the Company (as defined in the License), provided,
however, that such additional holdings shall be considered Exceptional
Holdings). Therefore, any action taken or claim made on the basis of a right
deriving from an Exceptional Holdings shall have no effect, except for the
receipt of dividends or other distribution as stated above. |
|
Without
derogating from the above: |
11
|
10A2.1 |
A
Shareholder participating in a vote of the General Meeting will certify to the Company
prior to the vote or, if the vote is by Deed of Vote, on the Deed of Vote, as to whether
or not his holdings in the Company or his vote require consent pursuant to Sections 21
and 23 to the License; in the event the shareholder does not provide notification as
aforesaid, he shall not vote and his vote shall not be counted. |
|
10A.2.2 |
No
Director shall be appointed, elected or removed on the basis of Exceptional Holdings. In
the event a Director is appointed, elected or removed from his position as a Director as
set forth above, such appointment, election or removal shall have no effect. |
|
10A.2.3 |
Exceptional
Holdings shall have no voting rights at a General Meeting of the Company. |
|
For
the purposes of this Article 10A, Exceptional Holdings means the
holdings of Traded Means of Control held without the consent of the Minister of
Communications pursuant to Section 21 to the License or as a result of a breach of the
provisions of Section 23 to the License, and all holdings of a holder of Traded Means of
Control who acted contrary to the provisions of Section 24 to the License; and as long as
the consent of the Minister of Communications is required but has not been obtained
pursuant to Section 21 to the License, or the circumstances exist which constitute a
violation of the provisions of Sections 23 or 24 to the License. |
|
For
the purposes of this Article 10A, Traded Means of Control means Means
of Control (as defined in the License) including Global or American Depositary Shares
(GDRs or ADRs) or similar certificates, registered for trade on a securities exchange in
Israel or abroad or which have been offered to the public in connection with a
prospectus, and are held by the public in Israel or abroad. |
|
10A.3. |
The
provisions of Article 10A shall not apply to those who were Shareholders of
the Company on the eve of the first registration of the Companys
Shares for trade. |
10B. |
Required
Minimum Holdings |
|
10B.1. |
Our
License requires that Founding Shareholders hold Shares constituting at least
the Minimum Founding Shareholders Holding and that Founding Israeli
Shareholders hold Shares constituting at least the Minimum Israeli Holding. |
|
10B.2. |
Shares
held by Founding Shareholders, to the extent such Shares constitute all or a
portion of the Minimum Founding Shareholders Holding, shall be registered
directly in the name of the Founding Shareholder in the shareholder register of
the Company, with a note indicating that such Shares are Minimum Founding
Shareholders Shares. Minimum Founding Shareholders Shares that are held
by Founding Israeli Shareholders, to the extent such Shares constitute all or a
portion of the Minimum Israeli Holding, shall also be recorded in the
shareholder register with a note indicating that such Shares are Minimum
Israeli Holding Shares. |
12
|
10B.3. |
No
transfer by a Founding Shareholder of Minimum Founding Shareholder Shares or by
a Founding Israeli Shareholder of Minimum Israeli Holding Shares shall be
recorded in the Companys shareholder register, or have any effect, unless
the Companys Secretary shall have received written confirmation from the
Ministry of Communications that the transfer complies with section 21.8 of the
License. The Company Secretary may, in his or her discretion, refer any
question in connection with the recording of Minimum Founding Shareholders
Shares or Minimum Israeli Holding Shares, or their transfer, to the Companys
audit committee whose decision shall be binding on the Company. As a condition
to any transfer of Minimum Founding Shareholders Shares or Minimum Israeli
Holding Shares, the transferee shall be required to deliver to the Companys
Secretary (a) a share transfer deed that includes an undertaking by the
transferee to comply with all requirements of section 22A of the License and
(b) all information requested with respect to the transferees
qualification as a Founding Shareholder and/or a Founding Israeli Shareholder. |
11. |
Bearer
Share Certificate |
|
The
Company shall not issue bearer Share Certificates which grant the bearer rights in the
Shares specified therein. |
|
12.1. |
The
Company shall have a first degree pledge on, and a right to create a lien on,
all Shares which are not fully paid and registered in the name of any
Shareholder, and the proceeds of their sale, with respect to moneys (which
payment time is due or not) whose payment was already called or are to be paid
up within a fixed time. Furthermore, the Company shall have a first degree
pledge right on all the Shares (other than Shares which were fully paid)
registered in the name of any Shareholder to secure the payment of moneys which
are due from him or from his property, whether with respect to his own debts or
debts jointly with others. The said pledge shall also apply to dividends,
declared from time to time, with respect to these Shares. |
|
12.2. |
For
purposes of the realization of any such pledge and or lien, the Board of
Directors is entitled to sell the Shares which are the subject of the pledge or
lien, or any part of them, as it deems fit. No sale, as aforesaid, shall be
carried out, until the date fixed for the payment has passed and a notice in
writing was transferred to same Shareholder with respect to the intention of
the Company to sell them, on condition that the amounts were not paid within
fourteen days after the notice. |
13
|
12.3. |
The
proceeds of any such sale, after deduction for the payment of the sale
expenses, shall serve for the covering of the debts or obligations of said
Shareholder, and the balance (if any) shall be paid to him. |
|
12.4. |
In
the event that a sale of Shares was carried out pursuant to the realization of
a pledge or a lien, pursuant to the presumptive authority conferred above, the
Board of Directors is entitled to register such Shares in the Shareholder
Register in favor of the buyer, and the buyer shall not be under the obligation
to examine the fitness of such actions or the manner in which the purchase
price paid for such Shares was used. After the said Shares are registered in
the Shareholder Register in favor of the buyer, no person shall have the right
to object to the validity of the sale. |
13. |
Changes
in the Share Capital |
|
The
General Meeting is entitled to take any of the following actions at all times, so long as
the resolution of the General Meeting is adopted by a Special Majority. |
|
13.1. |
Increasing
the Share Capital |
|
To
increase the share capital of the Company, regardless of whether all the Shares
registered at such a time were issued or not. The increased share capital shall be
divided into Shares having ordinary rights or preference rights or deferred rights or
other special rights (subject to the special rights of an existing class of Shares) or
subject to conditions and restrictions with respect to entitlement to dividend, return of
capital, voting or other conditions, as may be instructed by the General Meeting in a
resolution with respect to the increase of the share capital, and in the absence of a
special provision, according to the terms determined by the Board of Directors. |
|
To
divide the share capital of the Company into various classes of Shares, and to set and
change the rights attaching to each class of Shares, according to the conditions
specified below: |
|
13.2.1. |
So
long as it was not otherwise set in the Share allotment conditions, the
rights of any class may be changed pursuant to a resolution of the General
Meeting of the Shareholders of each class of Shares, separately, or upon
the written consent of all the Shareholders of all classes. |
|
13.2.2. |
The
rights conferred on the holders of Shares of a certain class shall not be
deemed to have been changed as a result of the creation or allotment of
other Shares having identical rights, unless it was otherwise stipulated
in the allotment conditions of said Shares. |
14
|
13.3. |
Amalgamation
and Redivision of the Share Capital |
|
To
amalgamate and redivide the share capital of the Company, entirely or partially, into
Shares having a higher or lesser par value than that stated in these Articles of
Association. In the event that in consequence of such amalgamation, there are
Shareholders left with fractions of Shares, the Board of Directors if approved by the
Shareholders at a General Meeting in adopting the resolution for amalgamation of the
capital, may agree as follows: |
|
13.3.1. |
To
sell the total of all the fractional shares and to appoint a trustee for this
purpose, in whose name Share Certificates representing the fractions shall
be issued, who will sell them, with the proceeds received after the
deduction of commissions and expenses to be distributed to those entitled.
The Board of Directors shall be entitled to decide that Shareholders who
are entitled to proceeds which are below an amount determined by it, shall
not receive the proceeds of the sale of the fractional shares, and their
share in the proceeds shall be distributed among the Shareholders who are
entitled to proceeds, in an amount greater than the amount that was
determined, relative to the proceeds to which they are entitled; |
|
13.3.2. |
To
allot to any Shareholder, who is left with a fractional Share following the
amalgamation, Shares of the class of Shares prior to the amalgamation,
which are fully paid, in such a number, the amalgamation of which together
with the fractional Share shall complete a whole Share, and an allotment
as stated shall be viewed as valid shortly before the amalgamation; |
|
13.3.3. |
To
determine that Shareholders shall not be entitled to receive a Share in
exchange for a fractional Share resulting from the amalgamation of a half
or smaller fraction of the number of Shares, whose amalgamation creates a
single Share, and they shall be entitled to receive a whole Share in
exchange for a fractional Share, resulting from the amalgamation of more
than a half of the number of Shares, whose amalgamation creates a whole
Share. |
|
In
the event that an action pursuant to Articles 13.3.2 or 13.3.3 above requires the
allotment of additional Shares, their payment shall be effected in a manner similar to
that applicable the payment of Bonus Shares. An amalgamation and redivision, as
aforesaid, shall not be regarded as a change in the rights attaching to the Shares which
are the subject of the amalgamation and redivision. |
|
13.4. |
Cancellation
of Unissued Share Capital |
|
To
cancel registered share capital which has not yet been allotted, so long as the Company
is not under an obligation to allot these Shares. |
15
|
13.5. |
The
Division of the Share Capital |
|
To
divide the share capital of the Company, entirely or partially, into Shares having a
lower par value than those stated in these Articles of Association, by way of dividing
the Shares of the Company at such a time, entirely or partially. |
|
13.6. |
The
provisions specified in this Article 13 shall also apply to other equity
Securities of the Company, mutatis mutandis. |
16
Chapter
Three General Meetings |
14. |
The
Authority of the General Meeting |
|
14.1. |
Subjects
within the authority of the General Meeting |
|
The
following matters shall require the approval of the General Meeting: |
|
14.1.1. |
Changes
in the Articles of Association, if adopted by a Special Majority. |
|
14.1.2. |
The
exercise of the authority of the Board of Directors, if resolved by a
Special Majority that the Board of Directors is incapable of exercising
its authority, and that the exercise of any of its authority is essential
to the orderly management of the Company. |
|
14.1.3. |
The
appointment or reappointment of the Companys auditor, the termination
or non-renewal of his service, and to the extent required by Law and not
delegated to the Board of Directors, the determination of his fee. |
|
14.1.4. |
The
appointment of Directors, including external Directors. |
|
14.1.5. |
To
the extent required by the provisions of Section 255 of the Companies Law,
the approval of actions and transactions with interested parties and also
the approval of an action or a transaction of an officer which might
constitute a breach of the duty of loyalty. |
|
14.1.6. |
Changes
in the share capital of the Company, if adopted by a Special Majority as
set forth in Article 13 above. |
|
14.1.7. |
A
merger of the Company, as defined in the Companies Law. |
|
14.1.8. |
Changes
in the objectives of the Company as set forth in Article 4 above, if
adopted by a Special Majority. |
|
14.1.9. |
Changes
in the name of the Company, if adopted by a Special Majority. |
|
14.1.10. |
Liquidation,
if adopted by a Special Majority. |
|
14.1.11. |
Settlements
or Arrangements pursuant to Section 233 of the Companies Ordinance. |
|
14.1.12. |
Any
other matters which applicable Law requires to be dealt with at General
Meetings of the Company. |
|
14.2. |
The
authority of the General Meeting to transfer authorities between corporate
organs. |
17
|
The
General Meeting, by a Special Majority, may assume the authority which is given to
another corporate organ, and may transfer the authority which is given to the General
Manager to the Board of Directors. |
|
The
taking or transferring of authorities, as aforesaid, shall be with regard to a specific
issue or for a specific period of time, all as stated in the resolution of the General
Meeting. |
15. |
Kinds
of General Meetings |
|
A
General Meeting shall be convened at least once a year, within fifteen months of the last
general meeting. The meeting shall be held at the registered offices of the Company,
unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors. These General Meetings shall be
referred to as Annual Meetings. |
|
15.1.1. |
An
Annual Meeting shall be convened to approve the following: |
|
(One) |
The
Financial Statements and the Report of the Board of Directors, as of
December 31st of the calendar year preceding the year of the annual
meeting. |
|
(Two) |
The
Report of the Board of Directors with respect to the fee paid to the
Companys auditor. |
|
15.1.2. |
The
Annual Meeting shall be convened to adopt resolutions on the following
matters: |
|
(One) |
The
appointment of Directors and the termination of their office in accordance
with Article 23 below. |
|
(Two) |
The
appointment of an auditor or the renewal of his office, and authorization of
the Board of Directors to determine his fee, subject to the provisions of
Article 29 below. |
|
15.2. |
Extraordinary
Meetings |
|
General
Meetings of the Shareholders of the Company which are not convened in accordance with the
provisions of Article 15.1 above, shall be referred to as Extraordinary Meetings.
An Extraordinary Meeting shall discuss and decide in all matters which are not discussed
and decided in the Annual Meeting, and for which the Extraordinary Meeting was convened. |
18
|
The
provisions of these Articles of Association with respect to General Meetings shall apply,
mutatis mutandis, to meetings of a class of Shareholders of the Company. |
16. |
The
Holding of General Meetings |
|
16.1. |
The
Convening of the Annual Meeting |
|
The
Board of Directors shall convene Annual Meetings in accordance with the provisions of
Article 15.1 above. |
|
16.2. |
The
Convening of an Extraordinary Meeting |
|
The
Board of Directors may convene an Extraordinary Meeting, as it decides, provided,
however, that it shall be obligated to convene an Extraordinary Meeting upon the demand
of one of the following: |
|
16.2.1. |
Any
two Directors or a quarter of the Directors, whichever is lower; or |
|
16.2.2. |
any
one or more Shareholders, holding alone or together at least 4.99% of the
issued share capital of the Company. |
|
16.3. |
Date
of Convening an Extraordinary Meeting Upon Demand |
|
The
Board of Directors, which is required to convene a general meeting in accordance with
Article 16.2 above shall announce the convening of the General Meeting within twenty-one
(21) days from the receipt of a demand in that respect, and the date fixed for the
meeting shall not be more than thirty-five (35) days from the publication date of the
announcement of the General Meeting. |
|
In
the event that the Board of Directors shall not have convened an Extraordinary Meeting,
as required in this Article, those demanding its convening or half of the Shareholders
which demand it subject to Article 16.2.2, are entitled to convene the meeting
themselves, so long as it is convened within three months from the date on which the
demand was filed, and it shall be convened, inasmuch as possible, in the same manner by
which meetings are convened by the Board of Directors. In the event that a General
Meeting is convened as aforesaid, the Company shall bear the reasonable costs and
expenses incurred by those demanding it. |
|
16.4. |
Notice
of Convening a General Meeting |
|
Unless otherwise prescribed by Law, a nNotice
of a general General
meeting Meeting shall be sent to each registered Shareholder of the Company as of the
Record Date set by the Board of Directors for that meeting, within five (5)
at least twenty-one (21) days
prior to the date fixed for the meeting after
that Record Date, unless a different notice time is required by Law and cannot be altered
or waived in the Companys Articles of Association. |
19
|
A
General Meeting may be convened following a shorter notice period, if the written consent
of all the Shareholders who are entitled at such time to receive notices has been
obtained. A waiver by a Shareholder can also be made in writing after the fact and even
after the convening of the General Meeting. |
|
16.5. |
Contents
of the Notice |
|
Subject
to the provisions of any Law, a notice with respect to a general meeting shall specify
the agenda of the meeting, the location, the proposed resolutions and also the
arrangements for voting by means of a deed of voting or a deed of authorization, and the
requirements of Article 10A.2.1. |
|
Any
notice to be sent to the Shareholders shall also include a draft of the proposed
resolutions or a concise description of their particulars. |
17. |
The
Agenda of General Meetings |
|
17.1. |
The
agenda of the General Meeting shall be determined by the Board of Directors and
shall also include issues for which an Extraordinary Meeting is being convened
in accordance with Article 15.2 above, or demanded in accordance with Article
17.2 below. |
|
17.2. |
One
or more Shareholders holding alone or in the aggregate, 4.99% or more of the
share capital of the Company may request that the Board of Directors include an
issue on the agenda of a general meeting to be convened in the future. The
Board of Directors shall incorporate such issue on the agenda of such a future
general meeting, provided that the Board of Directors determines, in its
discretion, such issue is suitable to be discussed in the General Meeting of
the Company. |
|
17.3. |
The
General Meeting shall only adopt resolutions on issues which are on its agenda. |
|
17.4. |
So
long as it is not otherwise prescribed by Law, the General Meeting is entitled
to accept or reject a proposed resolution which is on the agenda of the General
Meeting, the draft or concise description of the particulars of which were
published by the Company, including slight alterations, however, it is not
entitled to take a resolution, which is materially different than the proposed
resolution. |
18. |
Discussions
in General Meetings |
20
|
No
discussion shall be held in the General Meeting unless a lawful quorum is present.
Subject to the requirements of the applicable Law in force at the time these Articles of
Association come into force, the rules of the Nasdaq National Market, the London Stock
Exchange and any other exchange on which the Companys securities are or may become
quoted or listed, and the provisions of these Articles, any two Shareholders, present by
themselves or by means of a proxy, or who have delivered to the Company a Deed of Voting
indicating their manner of voting, and who hold or represent at least one-third of the
voting rights in the Company shall constitute a lawful quorum. A Shareholder or his
proxy, who may also serve as a proxy for other Shareholders, shall be regarded as two
Shareholders or more, in accordance with the number of Shareholders he is representing. |
|
18.2. |
Deferral
of the General Meeting in the Absence of Lawful Quorum |
|
In
the event that a legal quorum is not present after the lapsing of 30 minutes from the
time specified in the convening notice for the commencement of the meeting, the meeting
may be adjourned to the same day of the following week (or the first business day
thereafter) at the same time and venue, or to another time and venue, as determined by
the Board of Directors in a notice to the Shareholders, and the adjourned meeting shall
discuss the same issues for which the original meeting was convened. If at the adjourned
meeting, a legal quorum is not present at the time specified for the commencement of the
meeting, then and in such event one or more Shareholders holding or representing in the
aggregate at least 10% of the voting rights in the Company shall be deemed to form a
proper quorum, subject to the provisions of Section 79 of the Companies Law. |
|
18.3. |
The
Chairman of the General Meeting |
|
The
chairman of the Board of Directors (if appointed) shall preside at each General Meeting.
In the absence of the chairman, or if he fails to appear at the meeting within 15 minutes
after the time fixed for the meeting, the Shareholders present at the meeting shall
choose any one of the Directors of the Company as the chairman, and if there is no
Director present at the meeting, one of the Shareholders shall be chosen to preside over
the meeting. The chairman shall not have an additional vote or casting vote. |
|
Upon
adoption of a resolution at a General Meeting at which a lawful quorum is present, the
chairman may and upon demand of the General Meeting shall adjourn the General Meeting
from time to time and from venue to venue, as the meeting may decide (for the purpose of
this Article: an Adjourned Meeting). In the event that a meeting is adjourned
for fourteen days or more, a notice of the Adjourned Meeting shall be given in the same
manner as the notice of the original meeting. With the exception of the aforesaid, a
Shareholder shall not be entitled to receive notice of an Adjourned Meeting or of the
issues which are to be discussed in the Adjourned Meeting. The Adjourned Meeting shall
only discuss issues that could have been discussed at the General Meeting which was
adjourned. The provisions of Articles 17.1, 17.2 and 17.3 of the Articles of Association
shall apply to an Adjourned Meeting. |
21
19. |
Voting
of the Shareholders |
|
In
any General Meeting, a proposed resolution shall be adopted if it receives an Ordinary
Majority, or any other majority of votes set by Law or in accordance with these Articles
of Association. For the avoidance of doubt, any proposed resolution requiring a Special
Majority under the Companies Ordinance shall continue to require the same Special
Majority even after the effective date of the Companies Law. |
|
In
the event of a tie vote, the resolution shall be deemed rejected. |
|
19.2.1. |
The
checking of the majority shall be carried out by means of a count of votes,
at which each Shareholder shall be entitled to vote in each case in
accordance with rights fixed for such Shares, subject to Articles 10A
above and Article 44 below. A Shareholder shall be entitled to a single
vote for each share he holds which is fully paid or that Calls of Payment
in respect of which was fully paid. |
|
19.2.2. |
The
announcement of the chairman that a resolution in the General Meeting was
adopted or rejected, whether unanimously or with a specific majority,
shall be regarded as prima facie evidence thereof. |
|
19.3. |
Written
Resolutions |
|
Subject
to the provisions of applicable Law, a written resolution signed by all of the
Shareholders of the Company holding Shares which entitle their holders to participate in
General Meetings of the Company and vote therein, or of the same class of Shares to which
the resolution refers, as the case may be, shall be regarded as a valid resolution for
all purposes, and as a resolution adopted at a General Meeting of the Company or at a
class meeting of the relevant class of Shares, as the case may be, which was properly
summoned and convened, for the purpose of adopting such a resolution. |
|
Such
a resolution could be stated in several copies of the same document, each of them signed
by one Shareholder or by several Shareholders. |
|
19.4 |
The DeterminingRecord
Date with Respect to
For
Participation and Voting |
22
|
The
Record Date shall be set by the Board of Directors, or by a person or persons authorized
by the Board of Directors, in accordance with applicable Law.In the event that a General Meeting was summoned more than twenty-one (21) days prior to the date fixed for its
convening, the Shareholders who are entitled to participate and vote in same General Meeting shall be those
Shareholders who are registered in the Shareholder Register of the Company on the date twenty-one (21) days prior to
the date of the meeting. In the event that a General Meeting was summoned 21 days or less prior to the date fixed
for its convening, the Shareholders who are entitled to participate and vote in the same General Meeting shall be
those shareholders who are registered in the Shareholder Register of the Company on the date determined by the Board
of Directors but in no event shall the date be less than four days prior to the date of the meeting. |
|
19.5. |
A
Right to Participate and Vote |
|
A
Shareholder shall not be entitled to participate and vote in any General Meeting or to be
counted among those present, so long as (i) he owes the Company a payment which was
called for the Shares held by him, unless the allotment conditions of the Shares provide
otherwise, and/or (ii) his holdings are registered in the Shareholder Register together
with a notation that such holdings have been classified as Exceptional Holdings, as
defined in Article 10A or Affected Shares, as defined in Article 44. |
|
19.6. |
Personal
Interest in Resolutions |
|
A
Shareholder seeking to vote with respect to a resolution which requires that the majority
for its adoption include at least a third of the votes of all those not having a personal
interest (as defined in the Companies Law) in the resolution shall notify the registered
office of the Company at least two business days prior to the date of the General
Meeting, whether he has a personal interest in the resolution or not, as a condition for
his right to vote and be counted with respect to such resolution. |
|
A
Shareholder voting on a resolution, as aforesaid, by means of a Deed of Vote, may include
his notice with regard to his personal interest on the Deed of Vote. |
|
19.7. |
The
Disqualification of Deeds of Vote |
|
Subject
to the provisions of applicable Law, the corporate secretary of the Company may, in his
discretion, disqualify Deeds of Vote and Deeds of Authorization and so notify the
Shareholder who submitted a Deed of Vote or Deeds of Authorization in the following cases: |
|
19.7.1. |
If
there is a reasonable suspicion that they are forged; |
|
19.7.2. |
If
there is a reasonable suspicion that they are falsified, or given with
respect to Shares for which one or more Deeds of Vote or deeds of
authorization have been given and not withdrawn; or |
|
19.7.3. |
If
there is no note on the Deed of Vote or Deed of Authorization as to whether
or not his holding in the Company or his vote require the consent of the
Minister of Communications pursuant to Sections 21 and 23 to the License. |
23
|
19.7.4. |
With
respect to Deeds of Vote: |
|
(One) |
If
more than one choice is marked for the same resolution; or |
|
(Two) |
With
respect to resolutions which require that the majority for their adoption
includes a third of the votes of those not having a personal interest in
the approval of the resolution, where it was not marked whether the
relevant Shareholder has a personal interest or not, as aforesaid. |
|
Any
Shareholder shall be entitled to appeal on any such disqualification to the Board of
Directors at least one business day prior to the relevant General Meeting. |
|
19.8. |
The
Voting of a Person without Legal Capacity |
|
A
person without legal capacity is entitled to vote only by means of a trustee or a legal
custodian. Such trustee or legal custodian may vote in person, by Deed of Vote or by means of a proxy. |
|
19.9. |
The
Voting of Joint Holders of a Share |
|
Where
two or more Shareholders are registered joint holders of a Share, only the first named
joint holder shall vote,
either in person or by means of a proxy or by means of a Deed of Vote,
without taking into account the other registered joint holders
of the Share. For this purpose, the first named joint holder shall be the person whose
name is registered first in the Shareholder Register. |
|
19.10. |
Minutes
of the General Meeting |
|
The
chairman of the General Meeting shall cause that the minutes of each General Meeting
shall be properly maintained and shall include the following: |
|
19.10.1. |
The
name of each Shareholder present in person, by Deed of Vote or by proxy and
the number of Shares held or represented by him; |
|
19.10.2. |
The
principal issues of the discussion, all the resolutions which were adopted
or rejected at the General Meeting, and if adopted according to
what majority. |
20. |
The
Appointment of a Proxy |
|
20.1. |
Voting
by Means of a Proxy |
24
|
A
Shareholder registered in the Shareholder Register is entitled to appoint by deed of
authorization a proxy to participate and vote in his stead, whether at a certain General
Meeting or generally at General Meetings of the Company, whether personally or by means
of a Deed of Vote, so long as the deed of authorization with respect to the appointment
of the proxy was delivered to the Company at least two Business Days prior to the date of
the General Meeting. |
|
In
the event that the deed of authorization is not limited to a certain General Meeting,
then the deed of authorization, which was deposited prior to a certain General Meeting,
shall also be good for other General Meetings thereafter. This Article 20 shall also
apply to a Shareholder which is a corporation, appointing a person to participate and
vote in a General Meeting in its stead. A proxy is not required to be a Shareholder of
the Company. |
|
20.2. |
The
Draft of the Deed of Authorization |
|
The
deed of authorization shall be signed by the Shareholder and shall be in or substantially
in the form specified below or any such other form acceptable to the Board of Directors
of the Company. The corporate secretary, in his discretion, may accept a deed of
authorization differing from that set forth below provided the changes are immaterial. |
|
The
corporate secretary shall only accept either an original deed of authorization, or a copy
of the deed of authorization which is certified by a lawyer having an Israeli license or
a notary. |
Deed of Authorization
Date: ________
To: |
Partner
Communications Company Ltd. |
Attn.: |
Corporate
Secretary |
Re:
[Annual/Extraordinary] General Meeting of the Company
to be Held On __________________
I,
the undersigned _________________, Identification No. / Registration No.
_____________, of ________________, being the registered holder of ________ (*)
Shares [Ordinary Shares having a par value of NIS 0.01, each], hereby authorize
___________, Identification No. ___________ (**) and/or ___________, Identification No.
___________ and/or ___________, Identification No. ___________ to participate and vote in
my stead and on my behalf at the referenced meeting and in any adjournment of the
referenced meeting of the Company / at any General Meeting of the Company, until I shall
otherwise notify you .
Signature
|
(*) |
A
Shareholder is entitled to give several deeds of authorization, each of which
refers to a different quantity of Shares of the Company held by him, so long as
he shall not give deeds of authorization with respect to an aggregate number of
Shares exceeding the total number he holds. |
25
(**) |
In
the event that the proxy does not hold an Israeli Identification number,
indicate a passport number, if any, and the name of the country which issued
the passport. |
|
20.3. |
A
vote in accordance with a deed of authorization shall be lawful even if prior
to it, the appointer died or became incapacitated or bankrupt, or if it is a
corporation was liquidated, or if he cancelled the deed of authorization
or transferred the Share in respect of which it was given, unless a notice in
writing was received at the Office of the Company prior to the meeting with
respect to the occurrence of such an event. |
21. |
Deed
of Vote, Voting Via the Internet |
|
21.1. |
A Shareholder may vote in a General Meeting by means of a Deed of Vote (ktav
hatbaah)
on the issues specified below any issue for which voting by Deed of Vote is required to
be offered under applicable Law and on any other issue for which the Board of
Directors has approved voting by Deed of Vote, either generally or specifically.
The form of the Deed of Vote shall be set by the corporate secretary or any one
so authorized by the Board of Directors. |
|
21.2. |
The
Board of Directors may authorize Shareholder voting in a General Meeting via
the Internet, subject to any applicable Law. |
|
,
unless the Company is entitled by Law to a partial or full exemption from the
requirement for the delivery of Deeds of Vote, either generally or
specifically: |
|
21.1.1. |
The
appointment and dismissal of Directors. |
|
21.1.2. |
The
approval of actions with interested parties, subject to sections 268-275 of the Companies
Law. |
|
21.1.3. |
The
approval of an action by an officer which conflicts with his duty of loyalty
toward the Company, subject to Section 255 of the
Companies Law. |
|
21.1.4. |
A
merger subject to Section 320 of the Companies Law. |
|
21.1.5. |
Any
issue which the Articles of Association provide can be voted thereon by means of a Deed
of Vote. |
|
21.1.6. |
Other
issues prescribed by Law. |
|
21.2. |
The
Draft of the Deed of Vote |
|
The
Deed of Vote shall be signed by the Shareholder and shall be in or substantially in
the form specified below, or any such other form acceptable to the
Board of Directors of the Company. The corporate secretary or any one
authorized by the Board of Directors to convene the meeting, shall be
entitled to amend the form of the Deed of Vote in accordance with the resolutions on the
agenda. |
26
Deed of Vote
Date: ________
Partner Communications Company Ltd.
[Address of the Company]
Re: [Annual/Extraordinary] General Meeting of the Shareholders
to be on ___________________
I, the undersigned _________________, Identification No. / Registration No. _____________, of ________________,
being the registered holder / the holder an appropriate Deed of Authorization, attached hereto (*) of ________ (**)
Ordinary Shares having a par value of NIS 0.01 each, hereby notify you that my vote in the General Meeting and in
any adjourned meeting of the Company is as specified below.
Item No. of the
Resolution on the
Agenda |
Subject of the
Resolution |
Vote (***) |
Personal Interest of the
Shareholder in the Resolution
(****) |
|
|
In Favor |
Abstain |
Against |
Yes |
No |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
o
|
I,
the undersigned, hereby declare that either my holdings or my vote require the consent
of the Minister of Communications pursuant to Sections 21 or 23 to the License. (*****) |
o
|
I,
the undersigned, hereby declare that neither my holdings nor my vote, require the
consent of the Minister of Communications pursuant to Sections 21 or 23 to the License.
(*****) |
Signature
|
(*) |
In
the event that the Shares are held by means of a Registration Company, a power of
attorney on behalf of the Registration Company should be enclosed and the Deed
of Vote should be signed. |
(**) |
In
the event that a Shareholder wishes to vote in a different manner with respect to
each part of his Shares, a separate Deed of Vote should be filed for each
quantity of Shares in respect of which he intends to vote differently. |
27
(***) |
An
X should be marked in the appropriate column and with respect to each resolution.
In the event that more than one choice are marked for a certain resolution,
the vote in respect of that resolution shall be disqualified. |
(****) |
In
resolutions for which a majority which includes a third of the votes of those not
having a personal interest in the transaction is required for adoption,
an X should be marked in the appropriate column. If an X is not marked in
either column, the vote in respect of the same resolution shall be
disqualified. |
(*****) |
An
X should be marked in the appropriate column. If an X is not marked in either column,
or if an X is marked in both column, the vote shall be disqualified. |
|
21.3. |
The
Sending of a Deed of Vote |
|
The
Deed of Vote shall be sent by the Company to the Shareholders who are registered
in the Shareholder Register of the Company and who are entitled to
vote in the General Meeting, together with the notice with respect to
General Meetings. |
|
The
Deed of Vote shall be sent by the Company and at its expense. |
|
21.4. |
Manner
of Use of the Deed of Vote |
|
A
duly executed Deed of Vote which was received at the Office of the Company at least
two Business Days prior to the date of the General Meeting shall
constitute the participation and voting of the Shareholder who has
delivered it, for each and every purpose, including for the purpose of
determining the lawful quorum at a meeting. A Deed of Vote received
by the Company, in accordance with this Article, with respect to a
certain issue, at which voting in the General Meeting did not take
place, shall be viewed as an abstain with respect to the resolution to adjourn the
meeting and, at the adjourned meeting, shall be voted in accordance with
the manner set forth therein. |
|
21.5. |
Board
Recommendation |
|
The
Board of Directors and any other person lawfully demanding the holding of an
extraordinary General Meeting may send to the Shareholders a
recommendation in order to persuade the Shareholders with respect to
the items which are on the agenda of said meeting. The recommendation shall be
delivered at the expense of the Company together with the Deed of
Vote. In the event that a General Meeting is convened with respect
to any of the issues specified in Article 21.1 above, a
Shareholder may submit to the Company a request that a recommendation
be delivered on his behalf to the other Shareholders. Unless it is
otherwise prescribed by Law, the said recommendation shall be
delivered at the expense of the Shareholder, and only if it was
received at the registered office of the Company at least 10 days
prior to the General Meeting. |
|
The
Board of Directors of the Company may send to the Shareholders a recommendation in
response to a recommendation delivered in accordance with the provisions of this
Article, or in response to any other submission to the Shareholders. Such
recommendation shall be delivered at the expense of the Company. |
28
Chapter
Four The Board of Directors
22. |
The
Authority of the Board of Directors |
|
22.1. |
The
authority of the Board of Directors is as specified both in the Law and in the
provisions of these Articles of Association. |
|
22.2. |
Signature
Authority and Powers of Attorney |
|
22.2.1. |
The
Board of Directors shall determine the person(s) with authority to sign for and
on behalf of the Company with respect to various issues. The signature of such
person(s), appointed from time to time by the Board of Directors, whether
generally or for a specific issue, whether alone or together with others, or
together with the seal or the stamp of the Company or its printed name, shall
bind the Company, subject to the terms and conditions set by the Board of
Directors. |
|
22.2.2. |
The
Board of Directors may set separate signature authorities with respect to
different issues and different amounts. |
|
22.2.3. |
The
Board of Directors may, from time to time, authorize any person to be the
representative of the Company with respect to those objectives and subject to
those conditions and for that time period, as the Board of Directors deems fit.
The Board of Directors may also grant any representative the authority to
delegate any or all of the authorities, powers and discretion given to the
Board of Directors. |
|
22.3. |
The
Registered Office of the Company |
|
The
Board of Directors shall fix the location of the Office of the Company. |
23. |
The
Appointment of Directors and the Termination of Their Office |
|
23.1. |
The
Number of Directors |
|
The
number of Directors in the Company shall not be less than seven (7) or more than
seventeen (17). |
|
23.2. |
The
Identity of a Director |
|
23.2.1. |
A
member of the Board of Directors may hold another position with the Company. |
29
|
23.2.2. |
A
corporation may serve as a Director in the Company, subject to the provisions
of Article 23.6 below. |
|
23.2.3. |
For
as long as any individual or an entity which is an Interested Party in the
Company is also an Interested Party in Cellcom (Israel) Ltd. (hereinafter
Cellcom), such Interested Party or an Office Holder of an
Interested Party in Cellcom or an Office Holder of any entity controlled
by an Interested Party in Cellcom (other than Elron Electronic Industries
Ltd (Elron) or an entity controlled by Elron) will not serve
as an Office Holder of the Company, and no Interested Party in Cellcom or
any entity controlled by such Interested Party, may appoint more than two
Directors to the Board of Directors of the Company. For the purposes of
this Article, the terms control, Interested Party and
Office Holder shall bear the same meaning as in, and shall be
interpreted in accordance with, the License. |
|
23.2.4. |
The
Board of Directors shall include independent and/or external Directors
required to comply with the applicable requirements of any Law, the Nasdaq
Stock Market, the London Stock Exchange and any other investment exchange
on which the securities of the Company are or may become quoted or listed.
The requirements of the Companies Law applicable to an external Director (Dahatz)
shall prevail over the provisions of these Articles of Association to the
extent these Articles of Associations are inconsistent with the Companies
Law, and shall apply to the extent these Articles of Associations are
silent. |
|
23.2.5. |
At
least 10% of the members of the Board of Directors of the Company shall be
comprised of Qualified Israeli Directors. Notwithstanding the above, if
the board is comprised of up to 14 members, one Qualified Israeli Director shall be
sufficient, and if the board is comprised of between 15 and 24 members, two Qualified
Israeli Directors shall be sufficient. |
|
23.2.6. |
Notwithstanding
any other provision of these Articles, a Qualified Israeli Director shall be appointed as
a member of the Board of Directors, and may be removed from such office, only upon
written notice to the Company Secretary of his or her appointment or removal by the
Founding Israeli Shareholders holding Minimum Israeli Holding Shares. For purposes of
this section, a notice signed by at least two of the Founding Israeli Shareholders who
are the record holders of at least 50% of Minimum Israeli Holding Shares shall be deemed
to be sufficient notice on behalf of all holders of Minimum Israeli Holding Shares. |
|
23.3. |
The
Election of Directors and their Terms of Office |
30
|
23.3.1. |
The
Directors shall be elected at each Annual Meeting and shall serve in office
until the close of the next Annual Meeting, unless their office becomes
vacant earlier in accordance with the provisions of these Articles of
Association. Each Director of the Company shall be elected by an Ordinary
Majority at the Annual Meeting; provided, however, that external Directors
shall be elected in accordance with applicable law and/or any relevant
stock exchange rule applicable to the Company. The elected Directors shall
commence their terms from the close of the Annual Meeting at which they
are elected, unless a later date is stated in the resolution with respect
to their appointment. Election of Directors shall be not conducted by
separate vote on each candidate, unless so determined by the Board of
Directors. |
|
23.3.2. |
In
each Annual Meeting, the Directors that were elected in the previous Annual
Meeting, and thereafter, in any Extraordinary Meeting shall be deemed to
have resigned from their office. A resigning Director may be reelected. |
|
23.3.3. |
Notwithstanding
the other provisions of these Articles of Association and without derogating from Article
23.4, an Extraordinary Meeting of the Company may elect any person as a Director, to fill
an office which became vacant or to serve as an external Director (Dahatz) or an
independent Director and also in any event in which the number of the members of the
Board of Directors is less than the minimum set in the Articles of Association. Any
Director elected in such manner (excluding an external Director (Dahatz) shall
serve in office until the coming Annual Meeting, unless his office becomes vacant earlier
in accordance with the provisions of these Articles of Association and may be reelected. |
|
23.3.4. |
An
elected external Director (Dahatz) shall commence his term from the
date of, and shall serve for the period stated in, the resolution of the
General Meeting at which he was elected, notwithstanding Article 23.3 above,
unless his office becomes vacant earlier in accordance with the provisions of
the Companies Law. A General Meeting may reelect an external Director (Dahatz)
for additional term(s) as permitted by the Companies Law. |
|
23.4. |
The
election of Directors by the Board of Directors |
|
The
Board of Directors shall have the right, at all times, upon approval of at least 75% of
the Directors of the Company, to elect any person as a Director, to fill an office which
became vacant, and also in any event in which the number of the members of the Board of
Directors is less than the minimum set in the Articles of Association. Any Director
elected in such manner shall serve in office until the coming Annual Meeting and may be
reelected. |
31
|
Any
Director may, from time to time, appoint for himself an alternate Director (hereinafter:
the Alternate Director), dismiss such Alternate Director and also appoint
another Alternate Director instead of any Alternate Director, whose office becomes
vacant, due to whatever cause, whether for a certain meeting or generally. Anyone who is
not qualified to be appointed as a Director and also anyone serving as a Director or as
an existing Alternate Director shall not serve as an Alternate Director. |
|
23.6. |
Representatives
of a Director that is a Corporation |
|
A
Director that is a corporation shall appoint an individual, qualified to be appointed as
a Director in the Company, in order to serve on its behalf, either generally or for a
certain meeting, or for a certain period of time and the said corporation may also
dismiss that individual and appoint another in his stead (hereinafter: Representatives
of a Director). |
|
23.7. |
Manner
of Appointment or Dismissal of an Alternate Director or a Representative of a
Director that is a Corporation |
|
Any
appointment or dismissal of Representatives of Directors, when such Directors are
corporations, or of Alternate Directors, shall be made by means of a notice in writing to
the corporate secretary, signed by the appointing or dismissing body and shall become
valid upon the date indicated in the appointment or dismissal notice or upon the date of
its delivery to the corporate secretary, whichever is the later. |
|
23.8. |
Miscellaneous
Provisions with Respect to Alternate Directors and Representatives of
Directors that are Corporations. |
|
23.8.1. |
Any
person, whether he is a Director or not, may serve as the representative of
a Director, and any one person may serve as the representative of several
Directors. |
|
23.8.2. |
The
Representative of a Director in addition to his own vote, if he is
serving as a Director shall have a number of votes corresponding to
the number of Directors represented by him. |
|
23.8.3. |
An
Alternate Director and the Representative of a Director shall have all the
authority of the Director for whom he is serving as an Alternate Director
or as a representative, with the exception of the authority to vote in
meetings at which the Director is present in person. |
|
23.8.4. |
The
office of an Alternate Director or a representative of a Director shall
automatically become vacant, if the office of the Director for whom he is
serving as an Alternate Director or as a representative becomes vacant. |
32
|
23.9. |
Termination
of the Term of a Director |
|
The
term of a Director shall be terminated in any of the following cases: |
|
23.9.1. |
If
he resigns from his office by way of a signed letter, filed with the corporate
secretary at the Companys Office; |
|
23.9.2. |
If
he is declared bankrupt or if he reaches a settlement with his creditors within
the framework of bankruptcy procedures; |
|
23.9.3. |
If
he is declared by an appropriate court to be incapacitated; |
|
23.9.4. |
Upon
his death and, in the event of a corporation, if a resolution has been adopted
for its voluntary liquidation or a liquidation order has been issued to it; |
|
23.9.5. |
If
he is removed from his office by way of a resolution, adopted by the General
Meeting of the Company, even prior to the completion of his term of office; |
|
23.9.6. |
If
he is convicted of a crime, as stated in Section 232 of the Companies Law; or |
|
23.9.7. |
If
his term is terminated by the Board of Directors in accordance with the
provisions of Section 231 of the Companies Law. |
|
23.10. |
The
Implications on the Board of Directors of the Termination of the Term of a
Director. |
|
In
the event that an office of a Director becomes vacant, the remaining Directors are
entitled to continue operating, so long as their number has not decreased below the
minimum number of Directors set forth in Article 23.1. |
|
In
the event that the number of Directors decreased below that minimum number, the remaining
Directors shall be entitled to act solely for the convening of a General Meeting of the
Company for the purpose of electing additional Directors to the Board of Directors. |
|
23.11. |
Compensation
of Members of the Board of Directors |
|
Members
of the Board of Directors who do not hold other positions in the Company and who are not
external Directors shall not receive any compensation from the Company, unless such
compensation is approved by the General Meeting and according to the amount determined by
the General Meeting, subject to the provisions of the Law. |
33
|
The
compensation of the Directors may be fixed, as an all-inclusive payment or as payment for
participation in meetings or in any combination thereof. |
|
The
Company may reimburse expenses incurred by a Director in connection with the performance
of his office, to the extent provided in a resolution of the Board of Directors. |
|
24.1. |
Convening
Meetings of the Board of Directors |
|
24.1.1. |
The
chairman of the Board of Directors may convene a meeting of the Board of
Directors at any time. |
|
24.1.2. |
The
chairman of the Board of Directors shall convene a meeting of the Board of
Directors at least four times a year, in a manner allowing the Company to
fulfil the provisions of the Law with respect to the publication of
Financial Statements and reporting to the public. |
|
24.1.3. |
The
chairman of the Board of Directors shall convene a meeting of the Board of
Directors on a specific issue if requested by at least two Directors or
one Director, if he is an external Director, within no more than 14 days
from the date of the request. |
|
24.1.4. |
The
chairman of the Board of Directors shall act forthwith for the convening of
a meeting of the Board of Directors, within 14 days from the time that a
Director in the Company has informed him of a matter related to the
Company in which there is an apparent violation of the Law or a breach of
proper management of the business, or from the time that the auditor of
the Company has reported to him that he had become aware of material flaws
in the accounting oversight of the Company. |
|
24.1.5. |
In
the event that a notice or a report of the General Manager requires an action
of the Board of Directors, the chairman of the Board of Directors shall
forthwith convene a meeting of the Board of Directors, which should be
held within 14 days from the date of the notice or the report. |
|
24.2. |
Convening
of a Meeting of the Board of Directors |
|
24.2.1. |
Any
notice with respect to a meeting of the Board of Directors may be given in
writing, so long as the notice is given at least 14 days prior to the date
fixed for the meeting, unless all the members of the Board of Directors or
their Alternate Directors or their representatives agree on a shorter time
period. A notice, as stated, shall be delivered in writing or transmitted
via facsimile or E-mail or through another means of communication, to the
address or facsimile number or to the E-mail address or to an address
where messages can be delivered through other means of communication, as
the case may be, as the Director informed the corporate secretary, upon
his appointment, or by means of a written notice to the corporate
secretary thereafter. |
34
|
A
notice, which was delivered or transmitted, as provided in this Article, shall be deemed
to be personally delivered to the Director on its delivery date. |
|
24.2.2. |
In
the event that a Director appointed an Alternate Director or a
representative, the notice shall be delivered to the Alternate Director or
the representative, unless the Director instructed that the notice should
be delivered to him as well. |
|
24.2.3. |
The
notice shall include the venue, date and time of the meeting of the Board of
Directors, arrangements with respect to the manner of management of the
meeting (in cases where telecommunications are used), the details of the
issues on its agenda and any other material that the chairman of the Board
of Directors requests be attached to the summoning notice with respect to
the meeting. |
|
24.3. |
The
Agenda of Meetings of Board of Directors |
|
The
agenda of meetings of the Board of Directors shall be determined by the chairman of the
Board of Directors and shall include the following issues: |
|
24.3.1. |
Issues
determined by the chairman of the Board of Directors. |
|
24.3.2. |
Issues
for which the meeting is convened in accordance with Article 24.1 above. |
|
24.3.3. |
Any
issue requested by a Director or by the General Manager within a reasonable
time prior to the date of the meeting of the Board of Directors (taking
into account the nature of the issue). |
|
The
quorum for meetings of the Board of Directors shall be a majority of the Directors, which
must include one external Director. |
|
24.5. |
Conducting
a Meeting Through Means of Communication |
|
The
Board of Directors may conduct a meeting of the Board of Directors through the use of any
means of communications, provided all of the participating Directors can hear each other
simultaneously. |
|
24.6. |
Voting
in the Board of Directors |
35
|
Subject
to Article 23.4 and Article 44, Issues presented at meetings of the Board of Directors
shall be decided upon by a majority of the votes of the Directors present (or
participating, in the case of a vote through a permitted means of communications) and
voting, subject to the provisions of Article 23.8 above, with respect to Alternate
Directors and representatives of Directors that are corporations. |
|
Each
Director shall have a single vote. |
|
24.7. |
Written
Resolutions |
|
A
written resolution signed by all the Directors shall be deemed as a resolution lawfully
adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors. Such a resolution may be made in several
copies of the same Document, each of them signed by one Director or by several Directors.
Such a resolution may be adopted by signature of only a portion of the Directors, if all
of the Directors who have not signed the resolution were not entitled to participate in
the discussion and to vote on such resolution in accordance with any Law whatsoever, so
long as they confirm in writing that they are aware of the intention to adopt such a
resolution. |
|
24.8. |
Resolutions
Approved by Means of Communications |
|
A
resolution approved by use of a means of communications by the Directors shall be deemed
to be a resolution lawfully adopted at a meeting of the Board of Directors, and the
provisions of Article 24.6 above shall apply to the said resolution. |
|
24.9. |
The
Validity of Actions of the Directors |
|
All
actions taken in good faith in a meeting of the Board of Directors or by a committee of
the Board of Directors or by any person acting as a Director shall be valid, even if it
subsequently transpires that there was a flaw in the appointment of such a Director or
person acting as such, or if any of them were disqualified, as if any such person was
lawfully appointed and was qualified to serve as a Director. |
|
24.10. |
Minutes
of Meetings of the Board of Directors |
|
The
chairman of the Board of Directors shall cause that the minutes of meetings of the Board
of Directors shall be properly maintained and shall include the following: |
|
24.10.1. |
Names
of those present and participating at each meeting. |
|
24.10.2. |
All
the resolutions and particulars of the discussion of said meetings. |
|
Any
such minutes signed by the chairman of the Board of Directors presiding over that meeting
or by the chairman of the Board of Directors at the following meeting, shall be viewed as
prima facie evidence of the issues recorded in the minutes. |
36
25. |
Committees
of the Board of Directors |
|
25.1. |
Subject
to the provisions of the Companies Law, the Board of Directors may delegate its
authorities or any part of them to committees, as they deem fit, and they may
from time to time cancel the delegation of such an authority. Any such
committee, while utilizing an authority as stated, is obligated to fulfil all
of the instructions given to it from time to time by the Board of Directors. |
|
25.2. |
Subject
to the provisions of the Companies Law, each committee of the Board of
Directors shall consist of at least two Directors, and it may include members
who are not Directors, with the exception of the audit committee which shall
consist of at least three (3) Directors, and all of the external Directors of
the Company shall be members of it. |
|
25.3. |
The
provisions with respect to meetings of the Board of Directors shall apply to
the meetings and discussions of each committee of the Board of Directors, with
the appropriate changes, provided that no other terms are set by the Board of
Directors in this matter, and provided that the lawful quorum for the meetings
of the committee, as stated, shall be at least a majority of the members of the
committee, unless otherwise required by Law. |
25A. |
Committee
for Security Matters |
|
25A.1. |
Notwithstanding
any other provision in these Articles, the Board of Directors shall
appoint from among its members who have security clearance and security
compatibility to be determined by the General Security Service (Directors
with Clearance) a committee to be designated the Committee for
Security Matters. The members of the Committee for Security Matters
shall include at least four (4) Directors with Clearance including at
least one external director. Subject to section 25A.2 below, security
matters shall be considered only in the context of the Committee for
Security Matters. Any decision of, or action by the Committee for Security
Matters shall have the same effect as if it had been made or taken by the
Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall consider a security
matter only if required pursuant to section 25A.2 below, and subject to
the terms of that section. For purposes of this section 25A, security
matters shall be defined in the same manner as defined in the Bezeq
Order (Determination of Essential Service Provided by Bezeq-The Israeli
Telecommunications Company Ltd.), 1997, as of March 9, 2005. |
|
25A.2. |
Security
matters which the audit committee or board of directors shall be required
to consider in accordance with the mandatory rules of the Companies Law or
other Law applicable to the Company, shall be considered to the extent
necessary only by Directors with Clearance. Other Directors shall not be
entitled to participate in meetings of the audit committee or board of
directors dealing with security matters, or to receive information or
documents related to these matters. A quorum for these meetings shall
include only Directors with Clearance. |
37
|
25A.3. |
Any
director or officer of the Company who would otherwise be required to
receive information or participate in meetings by virtue of his or her
position or these Articles or any Law, but who is prevented from doing so
by the provisions of this Article 25A, will be released from any liability
for any claim of breach of duty of care to the Company which results from
her or his inability to receive information or participate in meetings,
and the Company shall indemnify any such director or officer and hold her
or him harmless to the maximum extent permitted by law for any injury or
damage she or he incurs as a result of the inability to receive such
information or participate in such meetings. |
|
25A.4. |
The
shareholders at a general meeting shall not be entitled to assume, delegate,
transfer or exercise any of the authorities granted to any other corporate
body in the Company with respect to security matters. |
|
25A.5. |
(1)
The Minister of Communications shall be entitled to appoint an observer (the
Security Observer) to all meetings of the board of directors
and its committees. The Security Observer shall have the security
clearance and security compatibility to be determined by the General
Security Service. |
|
(2) The
Security Observer shall be an employee of the State of Israel qualified to
serve as a director pursuant to Chapter C of the Government Companies Law,
1975. |
|
(3) In
addition to any other obligations under Law, the Security Observer shall be
bound to preserve the confidentiality of [information relating to] the Company,
except as required to fulfill his responsibilities as an observer. The Security
Observer will not act as an observer or in any other position at a competitor
of the Company, and will avoid a conflict between his position as an observer
and the interests of the Company. The Security Observer shall undertake not to
serve as an observer or officer or director, and not serve in any other
capacity or be employed, directly or indirectly, by any entity competing with
the Company or in a position of conflict of interest with the Company during
the period of his service as the Security Observer and for two years after
termination of such period. |
|
(4)
Notices of meetings of the board of directors and its committees, including of
the Committee for Security Matters, shall be delivered to the Security
Observer, and he shall be entitled to participate in each such meeting. |
|
(5)
The Security Observer shall have the same right to obtain information from the
Company as that of a Director. If the Company believes that specific
information requested is commercially sensitive and not required by the
Security Observer for fulfillment of his duties, the Company may delay delivery
of the information upon notice to the Security Observer. If the Security
Observer still believes the information is needed for his duties, the matter
shall be brought for decision to the head of the General Security Service. |
38
|
(6)
If the Security Observer believes that the Company has made a decision, or is
about to make a decision, in a security matter, which conflicts with a
provision of the License or section 13 of the Communications Law
(Telecommunications and Broadcasting), 1982 or section 11 of the General
Security Service Law, 2002, he shall promptly notify the Company in writing.
Said notice shall be delivered to the chairman of the board of directors and
chairman of the Committee for Security Matters and shall provide an appropriate
defined period of time, in light of the circumstances, in which the Company
shall be required to correct the violation or change the decision, to the
extent possible. |
5. |
In
order to avoid duplicative mechanisms with respect to our license requirements
regarding Israeli holdings and holdings of founding shareholders and
their substitutes, the following amendments to section 44 are proposed: |
25B. |
Approval
of Certain Related Party Transactions |
|
A
transaction of the type described in Section 270(1) of the Companies Law i.e. a
transaction with directors or officers or a transaction in which an officer or a director
has a personal interest, provided that such transactions are in the Companys
ordinary course of business, are on market terms and are not likely to substantially
influence the profitability of the Company, its assets or its liabilities, may be
approved by the Audit Committee, without the need for Board of Directors approval,
or by the Board of Directors, subject to any applicable Law and any relevant stock
exchange rule applicable to the Company. |
26. |
Chairman
of the Board of Directors |
|
26.1.1. |
The
Board of Directors shall choose one of its members to serve as the chairman
of the Board of Directors, and shall set in the appointing resolution the
term for his service. |
|
26.1.2. |
Unless
otherwise provided in the appointing resolution, the chairman of the Board
of Directors shall be chosen each and every calendar year at the first
meeting of the Board of Directors held after the General Meeting in which
Directors were appointed to the Company. |
|
26.1.3. |
In
the event that the chairman of the Board of Directors ceases to serve as a
Director in the Company, the Board of Directors in its first meeting held
thereafter shall choose one of its members to serve as a new chairman who
will serve in his position for the term set in the appointing resolution,
and if no period is set, until the appointment of a chairman, as provided
in this Article. |
39
|
26.1.4. |
In
the event that the chairman of the Board of Directors is absent from a
meeting, the Board of Directors shall choose one of the Directors present
to preside at the meeting. |
|
26.2.1. |
The
chairman of the Board of Directors shall preside over meetings of the Board
of Directors. |
|
26.2.2. |
In
the event of a deadlock vote, the chairman of the Board of Directors shall
not have an additional or casting vote. |
|
26.2.3. |
The
chairman of the Board of Directors is entitled, at all times, at his
initiative or pursuant to a resolution of the Board of Directors, to
require reports from the General Manager in matters pertaining to the
business affairs of the Company. |
|
26.3. |
Reservations
with Regard to Actions of the Chairman of the Board of Directors |
|
26.3.1. |
The
chairman of the Board of Directors shall not serve as the General Manager of
the Company, unless he is appointed in accordance with the provisions of
Article 27.2 below. |
|
26.3.2. |
The
chairman of the Board of Directors shall not serve as a member of the Audit
Committee. |
Chapter Five Officers who are not Directors, and theAuditor
|
27.1. |
The
Appointment and Dismissal of the General Manager |
|
27.1.1. |
The
Board of Directors shall appoint a General Manager for a fixed period of
time or for an indefinite period of time. The Board of Directors may
appoint more than one General Manager. |
|
27.1.2. |
The
compensation and employment conditions of the General Manager shall be
determined by the Board of Directors in any manner it deems fit. Where the
compensation of the General Manager is regarded by the Board of Directors
in accordance with the Company Law as an exceptional transaction and
also in cases of the granting of a release, insurance, liability for
indemnification or indemnification given by a permit, said compensation
requires the prior approval of the audit committee. |
40
|
27.1.3. |
The
Board of Directors may from time to time remove the General Manager from his
office or dismiss the General Manager and appoint another or others in his
stead. |
|
27.2. |
The
Chairman of the Board of Directors as the General Manager |
|
27.2.1. |
The
General Meeting of the Company is entitled to authorize the chairman of the
Board of Directors to fulfil the position of the General Manager and to
exercise his authority, so long as the majority of the votes in the General
Meeting adopting such a resolution include at least two thirds of the votes of
Shareholders present and entitled to vote at the meeting who are not
controlling Shareholders of the Company as defined in the Companies Law or
representatives of any of them. Abstain votes shall not be taken
into account in the counting of the votes of the Shareholders. |
|
27.2.2. |
The
validity of a resolution provided in Article 27.2.1 above is restricted to a
maximum period of three years from the date of the adoption of the resolution
by the General Meeting. In the event that no period was set in the resolution,
the period shall be deemed to be for three years. Prior to the completion of
the three year period, as aforesaid, and even after the end of this period, the
General Meeting is entitled to extend the validity of such resolution. |
|
27.2.3. |
A
resolution, as stated, may relate to the authority of the chairman of the Board
of Directors, generally, or to a specific person who is serving as the chairman
of the Board of Directors. |
|
27.3. |
The
Authority of the General Manager and Subordination to the Board of Directors |
|
27.3.1. |
The
General Manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the affairs
of the Company within the framework of the policy set by the Board of
Directors and subject to its instructions. |
|
The
General Manager shall have all administrative and operational authority which were not
conferred by Law or pursuant to these Articles of Association to any other corporate
organ of the Company, and he shall be under the supervision of the Board of Directors and
subject to its instructions. |
|
The
General Manager shall appoint and dismiss officers of the Company, with the exception of
Directors, and he shall also determine the terms of their employment, unless otherwise
resolved by the Board of Directors and provided, however, that the appointment and
dismissal of senior managers of the Company shall require consultation with and approval
by the Board of Directors. |
41
|
27.3.2. |
The
Board of Directors may instruct the General Manager on how to act with
respect to a certain issue. If the General Manager fails to fulfil the
instruction, the Board of Directors may exercise the required authority in
order to act in the place of the General Manager. |
|
The
Board of Directors may assume the authority granted to the General Manager, either with
respect to a certain issue or for a certain period of time. |
|
27.3.3. |
In
the event that the General Manager is unable to exercise his authority, the
Board of Directors may exercise such authority in his stead, or authorize
another to exercise such authority. |
|
27.4. |
Reporting
Duties of the General Manager |
|
The
General Manager is obligated to notify the chairman of the Board of Directors of any
exceptional matter which is material to the Company, or of any material deviation by the
Company from the policy set by the Board of Directors. In the event that the Company
shall be without a chairman of the Board of Directors for whatever reason the General
Manager shall notify all the members of the Board of Directors, as aforesaid. The General
Manager shall deliver to the Board of Directors reports on issues, at such time and in
such scope, as is determined by the Board of Directors. |
|
27.5. |
Delegating
Authority of the General Manager |
|
The
General Manager, upon approval of the Board of Directors, may delegate to his
subordinates any of his authority. However, such delegation of authority shall not
release the General Manager from his liability. |
28. |
The
Corporate Secretary, Internal Controller and Other Officers of the Company |
|
28.1. |
The
corporate secretary |
|
28.1.1. |
The
Board of Directors is entitled to appoint a corporate secretary on terms it
deems fit, joint secretaries, subsecretaries and to determine the areas
of their functions and authorities. |
|
28.1.2. |
In
the event that no corporate secretary has been appointed, the General Manager
or anyone authorized by him shall fulfil the functions assigned to the
corporate secretary, in accordance with any Law, to these Articles of
Association and the resolutions of the Board of Directors. |
|
28.1.3. |
The
corporate secretary shall be responsible for all documents which are kept at
the Office, as stated in Section 124 of the Companies Law, and he shall manage
all the registries maintained by the Company in accordance with the Law or
Companies Law. |
42
|
28.2. |
Internal
Controller |
|
28.2.1. |
The
internal controller
of the Company shall report to the chairman of the Board of Directors. |
|
28.2.2. |
The
internal controller shall file with the Board of Directors a proposal for an annual or
other periodic work plan, which shall be approved by the Board of Directors, subject to
any changes it deems fit. |
|
28.3. |
Other
Officers of the Company |
|
The
Board of Directors may decide that in addition to the General Manager and the corporate
secretary, other officers may be appointed, whether generally or for a specific issue. In
such event, the Board of Directors shall appoint the officer, define his position and
authority, and set his compensation and terms of employment. |
|
The
Board of Directors is entitled to authorize the General Manager to fulfil any or all of
its authorities, as stated. |
|
29.1. |
The
Shareholders at the Annual Meeting shall appoint an auditor for a period until
the close of the following Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting may appoint an
auditor for a period not to extend beyond the close of the third Annual Meeting
following the Annual Meeting in which he was appointed. In the event that the
auditor was appointed for said period, the Annual Meeting shall not address the
appointment of the auditor during said period, unless a resolution is adopted
with respect to the termination of his service. |
|
29.2. |
The
General Meeting is entitled at all times to terminate the service of the
auditor or to decide not to renew it. |
|
29.3. |
The
Board of Directors shall determine the compensation of the auditor of the
Company and it shall report in that respect to the Annual Meeting of the
Company. |
|
29.4. |
The
Board of Directors shall set the compensation of the auditor for additional
services which are not regarded as oversight activities, and it shall report in
this respect at the Annual Meeting of the Company. |
43
Chapter Six The Share Capital of the
Company and its Distribution
30. |
Permitted Distributions |
|
In
this Chapter, the following terms shall be construed, in accordance with their definition
in Sections 301 and 302 of the Companies Law: distribution,
acquisition, profits, profit test, adjusted
financial statements and balances. |
|
30.2. |
Distribution
of Profits |
|
The
Company shall not make any distribution except from its profits, provided that the
Company shall not make any distribution if there is a reasonable fear that such
distribution shall preclude the Company from having the ability to meet its present and
anticipated liabilities, as they become due. Notwithstanding
the aforesaid, the Company, with the approval of the Court, is entitled to make a
distribution which fails to meet the profit test.
|
|
30.3. |
Allotment
for a Consideration Below the
Par Value |
|
In
the event the Board of Directors decides to allot Shares having a par value, for
consideration which is less than their par value, including Bonus Shares, the Company
shall convert into share capital from its profits, premium on its Shares, or any other
source, included in its shareholders equity, as stated in its most recent Financial
Statements, an amount equal to the difference between the par value and the consideration. |
|
Even
if the aforesaid is not done, with the approval of the Court, the Company shall be
entitled to make an allotment of Shares, for consideration which is less than their par
value. |
31. |
Dividends
and Bonus Shares |
|
31.1. |
Right
to Dividends or Bonus Shares |
|
31.1.1. |
A
Shareholder of the Company shall have the right to receive dividends or Bonus
Shares, if the Company so decides in accordance with Article 31.2 below,
consistent with the rights attaching to such Shares. |
|
31.1.2. |
Dividends
or Bonus Shares shall be distributed or allotted to those who are registered in the
Shareholder Register on the date of the resolution approving the distribution or
allotment or upon a latter date, if another date is determined for this purpose in same
resolution (hereinafter: the Determining Date). |
44
|
31.1.3. |
In
the event that the share capital of the Company consists of Shares having
various par values, dividends or Bonus Shares shall be distributed in
proportion to the par value of each Share. |
|
31.1.4. |
Subject
to special rights conferred upon Shares in accordance with the conditions
of their allotment, profits of the Company which the Company decides to
distribute as a dividend or as Bonus Shares shall be paid in proportion to
the amount which was paid or credited on the account of the par value of
the Shares, held by the Shareholder. |
|
31.1.5. |
In
the event that it was not otherwise determined in the conditions applicable
to the allotment of the Shares or in a resolution of the General Meeting,
all the dividends or Bonus Shares with respect to Shares, which were not
fully paid within the period in which the dividends or Bonus Shares are
paid, shall be paid in proportion to the amounts which were actually paid
or credited as paid on the par value of the Shares during any part of said
period (pro rata temporis). |
|
31.2. |
Resolution
of the Company with Respect to a Dividend or Bonus Shares |
|
31.2.1. |
The
Authority to Distribute Dividends or Bonus Shares |
|
The
resolution of the Company on the distribution of a dividend or Bonus Shares to be
distributed to the Shareholders according to their respective rights and benefits, and on
their time of payment, shall be made by the General Meeting, after the recommendation of the Board of Directors
is presented. The General Meeting may accept the recommendation or diminish the amount, but it is not
entitled to increase it, provided in each case the distribution is a permitted distribution, as specified in
Article 30. |
|
The
Board of Directors may, in its discretion, allocate to special funds any amount
whatsoever from the profits of the Company or from the revaluation of its assets or its
relative share in the revaluation of assets of branch companies, and also to
determine the designation of these funds. |
|
31.3. |
The
Payment of Dividends |
|
31.3.1. |
Manner
of Payment |
|
Unless
otherwise provided in the resolution with respect to the distribution of the dividend,
the Company may pay any dividend with the withholding of any tax required by Law, by way
of a cheque to the order of the beneficiary alone, which should be sent by means of
registered mail to the registered address of the Shareholder entitled thereto, or by way
of a bank transfer. Any
cheque, as stated, shall be drawn up to the order of the person to whom it is intended. |
45
|
In
the event of registered joint holders, the cheque shall be passed to the same Shareholder
whose name is registered first in the Shareholder Register with respect to the joint
holding. |
|
The
sending of a cheque to a person whose name is registered in the Shareholder Register as
the holder of the Share upon the Determining Date or, in the case of joint holders, to
any of the joint holders, shall serve as evidence with respect to all the payments made
in connection with same Shares. |
|
The
Company may decide that a cheque under a certain amount shall not be sent and the amount
of the dividend which was supposed to be paid shall be deemed to be an unclaimed dividend. |
|
31.3.2. |
An
Unclaimed Dividend |
|
The
Board of Directors is entitled to invest the amount of any unclaimed dividend for one
year after it was declared or to utilize it in any other manner to the benefit of the
Company until it is claimed. The
Company shall not be obligated to pay interest or Linkage on an unclaimed dividend. |
|
31.3.3. |
Specific
Dividend |
|
In
the event the Company declares a dividend, as provided in Article 31.2.1 above, it may
decide that same dividend shall be paid, entirely or partially, by way of the
distribution of certain assets, including fully paid Shares or bonds of any other company
or in any combination of these assets. |
|
31.4. |
Manner
of Capitalization of Profits and the Distribution of Bonus Shares |
|
31.4.1. |
Subject
to the provisions of Article 30 above in the event of a capitalization of
profits and distribution of Bonus Shares, the undistributed profits of the
Company, or premium on Shares, or funds derived from the revaluation of
the assets of the Company, or funds derived on the basis of equity from
the profits of branch companies, or from the revaluation of
assets of branch companies and capital redemption funds shall
be capitalized and distributed among the Shareholders entitled thereto, as
per the provisions of Article 31.1 above, to be held by the shareholders
as capital, and that this capital, entirely or partially, shall be used on
behalf of same Shareholders as full payment, whether according to the par
value of the Shares or together with premium decided upon, for Shares to
be distributed accordingly, and that this distribution or payment shall be
received by same Shareholders as full consideration for their portion of
the benefit in the capitalized amount, as determined by the Board of
Directors. |
46
|
The
provisions of this chapter six shall also apply to the distribution of bonds. |
|
31.4.2. |
The
Company, in the resolution with respect to the distribution of Bonus Shares,
is entitled in accordance with the recommendation of the Board of
Directors, to decide that the Company shall transfer to a special fund,
designated for the future distribution of Bonus Shares, an amount the
capitalization of which shall be sufficient in order to allot to anyone
having at such time a right to acquire Shares of the Company (including a
right which can be exercised only upon a later date), Bonus Shares at the
par value which would have been due to him had he exercised the right to
acquire the Shares shortly before the Determining Date, at the price of
the right in effect at such time. In the event that after the Determining
Date, the holder of said right shall exercise his right to acquire the
Shares or any part of them, the Board of Directors shall allot to him
fully paid Bonus Shares at such par value and of such class, which would
have been due to him had he exercised shortly before the Determining Date
the right to acquire those Shares he actually acquired, by way of an
appropriate capitalization made by the Board of Directors out of the
special fund, as aforesaid. For the purpose of the determination of the
par value of the Bonus Shares which are to be distributed, any amount
transferred to the special fund, with respect to a previous distribution
of previous Bonus Shares shall be viewed as if it had already been
capitalized and that Shares entitling the holders to the right to acquire
Shares of the Company were already allotted as Bonus Shares. |
|
31.4.3. |
Upon
the distribution of Bonus Shares, each Shareholder of the Company shall receive Shares of
a uniform class or of the class which confers on its holder the right to receive the
Bonus Shares, as determined by the Board of Directors. |
|
31.4.4. |
For
purposes of carrying out any resolution pursuant to the provisions of
Article 30, the Board of Directors may settle, as it deems fit, any
difficulty arising with regard to the distribution of Bonus Shares, and,
in particular, to issue certificates for fractions of Shares and sell such
fractions of Shares, in order to pay their consideration to those entitled
thereto, and also to set the value for the distribution of certain assets
and to decide that cash payments shall be paid to the Shareholders on the
basis of the value determined in such a way, or that fractions whose value
is less than NIS 0.01 shall not be taken into account, pursuant to the
adjustment of the rights of all parties. The Board of Directors may pay
cash or convey these certain assets to trustees in trust in favor of those
people who are entitled to a dividend or to a capitalized fund, as the
Board of Directors shall deem beneficial. |
47
32. |
Acquisition
of Shares |
|
32.1. |
The
Company is entitled to acquire or to finance an acquisition, directly or
indirectly, of Shares of the Company or securities convertible into Shares of
the Company or which could be exercised into Shares of the Company, including
incurring an obligation to take any of these actions, subject to the
fulfillment of the conditions of a permissible distribution, as stated in
Article 30 above. |
|
32.2. |
In
the event that the Company acquired any of its Shares, such a Share shall
become a dormant Share, and shall not confer any rights, so long as it is in
the holding of the Company. |
|
32.3. |
A
subsidiary or another corporation in the control of the Company is entitled to
acquire Shares of the Company or securities convertible into Shares of the
Company or which can be exercised into Shares of the Company, including an
obligation to take any of these actions, to the same extent the Company may
make a distribution, so long as the board of directors of the subsidiary or the
managers of the acquiring corporation have determined that had the acquisition
of the Shares been carried out by the Company it would have been regarded as a
permissible distribution, as specified in Article 30 above. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, an acquisition by a subsidiary or by another corporation in the
control of the Company, which is not fully-owned by the Company, will be
considered a distribution of an amount equal to the product of the amount
acquired multiplied by the percentage of the rights in the capital of the
subsidiary or in the capital of said corporation which is held by the Company. |
|
32.4. |
In
the event that a Share of the Company is acquired by a subsidiary or by a
corporation in the control of the Company, the Share shall not confer any
voting rights, for so long as said Share is held by the subsidiary or by said
controlled corporation. |
Chapter Seven Insurance, Indemnification and
Release of Officers
33. |
Insurance
of Officers |
|
33.1. |
The
Company shall not insure the liability of an officer in the Company, other
than pursuant to the provisions of this Article. |
48
|
33.2. |
The
Company may enter into an insurance contract or arrange and pay all premiums
in respect of an insurance contract, for the insurance of the liability of
an officer in the Company, resulting from the consequence of an action by
him in his capacity as an officer in the Company, for any of the
following: |
|
33.2.1. |
The
breach of the duty of care toward the Company or toward any other person; |
|
33.2.2. |
The
breach of the duty of loyalty toward the Company provided the officer has
acted in good faith and had reasonable grounds to assume that the action
would not harm the Company; and |
|
33.2.3. |
A
financial liability imposed on him in favor of another person. |
|
33.3. |
The
Company shall not enter into a contract for the insurance of the liability
of an officer in the Company for any of the following: |
|
33.3.1. |
The
breach of the duty of loyalty toward the Company, unless the officer acted
in good faith and had reasonable grounds to assume that the action would
not harm the Company; |
|
33.3.2. |
The
breach of the duty of care made intentionally or recklessly (pezizut),
unless otherwise permitted by law; |
|
33.3.3. |
An
intentional act intended to unlawfully yield a personal profit; |
|
33.3.4. |
A
criminal fine or a penalty imposed on him. |
34. |
Indemnification
of Officers |
|
34.1. |
The Company may indemnify an
officer in the Company. to the fullest extent permitted by Law. Without derogating from
the aforesaid, the Company may indemnify an officer in the Company as specified in
Articles 34.2 through 34.4 below. shall not indemnify an officer in the Company, other
than pursuant to the provisions of this Article. |
|
34.2. |
Indemnification
in Advance |
|
The
Company may indemnify an officer in the Company for liability or expense he incurs or
that is imposed on him in consequence with an action or inaction by him (or together
with other officers of the Company) in his capacity as an officer in the Company, as
follows:Company may undertake in advance to indemnify an officer of the Company,
provided the undertaking is restricted to events of a kind which the Board of Directors
believes can be anticipated at the time of the making of the indemnification undertaking,
with the exception of the events stated in Article 33.3 above, and at an amount that the
Board of Directors determines is reasonable in the circumstances. |
49
|
34.2.1. |
Any
financial liability he incurs or is imposed on him in favor of another
person in accordance with a judgment, including a judgment given in a
settlement or a judgment of an arbitrator, approved by the Court. |
|
34.2.2. |
Reasonable
litigation expenses, including legal fees, incurred by the officer or which he was
ordered to pay by the Court, in the context of proceedings filed against him by the
Company or on its behalf or by a third party, or in a criminal proceeding in which he was
acquitted, or in a criminal proceeding in which he was convicted of an offense which does
not require criminal intent. |
|
34.2.3. |
Reasonable
litigation expenses, including legal fees, incurred by the officer due to such
investigation or proceeding conducted against him by an authority authorized to conduct
an investigation or proceeding, and which was ended without filing an indictment against
him and without the imposition of a financial liability as a substitute for a criminal
proceeding, or that was ended without filing an indictment against him but for which he
was subject to a financial liability as a substitute for a criminal proceeding relating
to an offense which does not require criminal intent, within the meaning of the relevant
terms in the Law. |
|
34.2.4. |
Any
other liability or expense in respect of which it is permitted or will be permitted under
Law to indemnify an officer in the Company. |
|
34.3. |
Indemnification in Advanceafter the Fact |
|
The
Company may undertake in advance to indemnify an officer of the Company in respect of the
following matters: The Company may indemnify an officer in the Company for all kinds of
events, retrospectively, with the exception of the events specified in Article 33.3 above. |
|
34.3.1. |
Matters
as detailed in Article 34.2.1 provided however, that the undertaking to indemnify is
restricted to events which in the opinion of the Board of Directors are anticipated in
light of the Companys activities at the time of granting the obligation to
indemnify, and is limited to a sum or measurement determined by the Board of Directors to
be reasonable in the circumstances. The undertaking to indemnify shall specify the events
that, in the opinion of the Board of Directors are expected in light of the Companys
actual activity at the time of grant of the indemnification and the sum or measurement
which the Board of Directors determined to be reasonable in the circumstances. |
50
|
34.3.2. |
Matters
as detailed in Article 34.2.2 and 34.2.3. |
|
34.3.3. |
Any
other matter permited by Law. |
|
34.4. |
Indemnification
after the Fact |
|
The
Company may indemnify an officer in the Company for all kinds of events,
retrospectively, subject to any applicable Law |
|
34.1.1. |
The
Company may indemnify an officer in the Company for liability or expense he incurs in
consequence of an action made by him in the capacity of his position as an officer in the
Company, as follows:Any financial liability imposed on him in favor of another person in
accordance with a judgment, including a judgment given in a settlement or a judgment of
an arbitrator, approved by the Court. |
|
34.4.2. |
Reasonable
litigation expenses, including legal fees, incurred by the officer or which he was
ordered to pay by the Court, within the framework of proceedings filed against him
by the Company or on its behalf or by another person, or in a criminal proceeding in
which he was acquitted, or in a criminal proceeding in which he was convicted of a
felony which does not require a finding of criminal intent. |
|
35.1. |
The
Company shall not release an officer from his liability for a breach of the
duty of care toward the Company, other than in accordance with the provisions
of this Article. |
|
35.2. |
The
Company may release an officer in the Company, in advance, from his liability,
entirely or partially, for damage in consequence of the breach of the duty of
care toward the Company. |
|
35.3. |
Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Company may not release an officer from his liability, resulting from
any of the following events: |
|
35.3.1. |
The
breach of the duty of loyalty toward the Company. |
|
35.3.2. |
The
breach of the duty of care made intentionally or recklessly (pezizut); |
|
35.3.3. |
An
intentional act intended to unlawfully yield a personal profit; |
|
35.3.4. |
A
criminal fine or a penalty imposed on him. |
Chapter
Eight Liquidation and Reorganization
of theCompany
51
|
36.1. |
In
the event that the Company is liquidated, whether voluntarily or otherwise, the
liquidator, upon the approval of an Extraordinary Meeting, may make a
distribution in kind to the Shareholders of all or part of the property of the
Company, and he may with a similar approval of the General Meeting, deposit any
part of the property of the Company with trustees in favor of the Shareholders,
as the liquidator with the aforementioned approval, deems fit. |
|
36.2. |
The
Shares of the Company shall confer equal rights among them with respect to
capital amounts which were paid or which were credited as paid on the par value
of the Shares, in all matters pertaining to the refund of the capital and to
the participation in the distribution of the balance of the assets of the
Company in liquidation. |
|
37.1. |
Upon
the sale of the property of the Company, the Board of Directors or the
liquidators (in case of a liquidation), if they are so authorized by a
resolution of the General Meeting of the Company adopted with a Special
Majority, may receive fully or partially paid up Shares, bonds or securities of
another company, either Israeli or foreign, whether incorporated or which is
about to incorporated for the purpose of acquiring property of the Company, or
any part thereof, and the Directors (if the profits of the Company allow for
it) or the liquidators (in case of a liquidation) may distribute among the
Shareholders the Shares or the securities mentioned above or any other property
of the Company without selling them or depositing them with trustees on behalf
of the Shareholders. |
|
37.2. |
The
General Meeting may, pursuant to a resolution adopted by a Special Majority,
decide on the valuation of the securities or of the aforementioned property at
a price and in the same manner as it deems appropriate and all the Shareholders
shall be obligated to accept any valuation or distribution, authorized in
accordance with the foregoing and to waive their rights in this matter, unless
the Company is about to liquidate or is in a liquidation process, of same
lawful rights (if any) which according to the provisions of the Law should not
be altered or denied. |
Chapter Nine Miscellaneous
|
38.1. |
A
notice or other document may be sent by the Company to any Shareholder
appearing in the Shareholder Register of the Company either
personally or by way of sending by registered mail, at the registered
address of the Shareholder in the Shareholder Register, or at such
address as the Shareholder shall have provided in writing to the
Company as the address for the delivery of notices. |
|
38.2. |
All
the notices to be given to Shareholders, shall, in respect of Shares held
jointly, be given to the person whose name is mentioned first in the
Shareholder Register, and any notice given in such a manner shall be
viewed as a sufficient notice to all the joint Shareholders. |
52
|
38.3. |
Any
Shareholder registered in the Shareholder Register, with an address, whether
in Israel or overseas, is entitled to receive, at such address, any
notice he is entitled to receive in accordance with the Articles of
Association or according to the provisions of the Law. Unless
otherwise stated above, no person who is not registered in the
Shareholder Register shall be entitled to receive any notices from
the Company. |
|
38.4. |
Any
notice or other document which is sent to a Shareholder in accordance with
these Articles of Association shall be considered lawfully sent with
respect to all the Shares held by him (whether with respect to Shares
held by him alone or held by him jointly with others) even if same
Shareholder had died by that time or had become bankrupt or had
received an order for its liquidation or if a trustee or a liquidator
or a receiver was appointed with respect to his Shares (whether the
Company was aware of it or not) until another person is registered in
the Shareholder Register in his stead, as the holder thereof. The sending of
a notice or other document, as aforesaid, shall be viewed as a
sufficient sending to any person having a right in these Shares. |
|
38.5. |
Any
notice or other document which was sent by the Company via registered mail,
to an address in Israel, shall be considered sent within 72 hours
from its posting at the post office. In order to prove sufficient
sending, it is enough to show that the letter containing the notice
or the document was addressed to the correct address and was posted
at the post office. |
|
38.6. |
Any
accidental omission with respect to the giving of a notice of a General
Meeting to any Shareholder or the non-receipt of a notice with
respect to a meeting or any other notice on the part of whatever
Shareholder shall not cause the cancellation of a resolution taken at
that meeting, or the cancellation of processes based on such notice. |
|
38.7. |
Any
Shareholder and any member of the Board of Directors may waive his right to
receive notices or waive his right to receive notices during a
specific time period and he may consent that a General Meeting of the
Company or a meeting of the Board of Directors, as the case may be,
shall be convened and held notwithstanding the fact that he did not
receive a notice with respect to it, or notwithstanding the fact that
the notice was not received by him within the required time, in each
case subject to the provisions of any Law prohibiting any such waiver
or consent. |
Chapter 10 Transitional Rules until the Companies Law shall be Effective.
39. |
Intentionally
DeletedApplicability |
|
The
provisions of this chapter shall apply solely during the period commencing on the day on
which the Articles of Association shall be effective until the day on which the Companies
Law shall be effective (hereinafter the Transitional Period). |
53
|
The
following provisions shall not apply during the Transitional Period: |
|
39.1. |
Article
14.2-titled The General Meetings authority to transfer authority
between the organs |
|
39.2. |
Article
28.2-titled Internal Controller |
|
39.3. |
Article 32-titled Purchase of the Companys Shares |
40. |
Intentionally
Deleted Indemnification of Officers |
Notwithstanding the provisions of Article 34 above, during the Transitional Period Article 34 shall read as
follows:
|
34 |
"Indemnification
of Officers |
|
34.1 |
The
Company is entitled to indemnify an Officer of the Company and/or an
employee of the Company for one of the following: |
|
34.1.1 |
Financial
liability imposed by judgment upon him for the
benefit of a third party, including a
settlement or arbitration decision certified
by the Court, as a result of an act or omission
committed by him in his capacity as an
officer and/or employee of the Company. |
|
34.1.2 |
Reasonable
litigation fees, including attorney's fees,
incurred by the officer and/or the employee
of the Company or imposed upon him by a court,
in a proceeding initiated against him by
the Company or in its name or by another
person, or in a criminal proceeding from
which he is acquitted, provided that any
such proceeding related to an act or omission
committed by him in his capacity as an
officer and/or employee of the Company. |
|
34.2 |
These
instructions are not intended nor will they be intended to limit the
Company in any way in respect of the Company entering into
an insurance contract and/or an indemnification agreement: |
|
34.2.1 |
In
respect of anyone who is not an officer of the Company,
including employees, contractors or
consultants of the Company who are not
officers of the Company. |
|
34.2.2 |
In
respect of officers of the Company in the event that the
insurance and/or the indemnification are
not explicitly forbidden by any law." |
54
41. |
Intentionally Deleted
Exemption for Officers |
|
The
words made intentionally or recklessly (pezizut) in Article
35.3.2 above shall not apply. |
|
The
rules of the second schedule of the Companies Ordinance will not apply both during the
Transitional Period and thereafter, including with respect to matters that have not been
dealt with in the Articles of Association. |
42. |
Intentionally
Deleted Interpretation |
|
During
the Transitional Period, all of the provisions and/or definitions in the Articles of
Association that are incompatible with cognitive rules of the Companies Ordinance
will be cancelled and the rules of the Companies Ordinance shall apply. |
Chapter 11
10
Compliance with the License /
Limitations on Ownership
and Control
|
The
Shareholders shall at all times comply with the terms of the License. Nothing herein
shall be construed as requiring or permitting the performance of any acts which are
inconsistent with the terms of the License. If any article of these Articles shall be
found to be inconsistent with the terms of the License, the provisions of such article
shall be null and void, but the validity, legality or enforceability of provisions of the
other Articles shall not be affected thereby. |
44. |
Limitations on Ownership and Control |
|
44.1. |
This
Article is to ensure that so long as and to the extent that any Operating Right
is conditional on or subject to any conditions or restrictions relating to
ownership or control over the Company imposed by the Ministry, the Company is
so owned and controlled. This Article shall not affect or influence in any way
the interpretation or application of Article 10A. |
|
Affected
Share means any Share determined to be dealt with as such pursuant to Article
44.4; |
|
Affected
Share Notice means a notice in writing served in accordance with Article 44.5; |
|
Depositary means
a custodian or other person appointed under contractual arrangements with the Company (or
a nominee for such custodian or other person) whereby such custodian or other person
holds or is interested in Shares and which issues securities evidencing the right to
receive such Shares; |
55
|
Depositary
Receipts means receipts or similar documents of title issued by or on behalf of
a Depositary; |
|
Depositary
Shares means the Shares held by a Depositary or in which a Depositary is
interested in its capacity as a Depositary; |
|
Intervening
Act means the refusal, withholding, suspension or revocation of any Operating
Right applied for, granted to or enjoyed by the Company, or the imposition of any
conditions or limitations upon any such Operating Right which materially inhibit the
exercise thereof, in either case by any state, authority or person (including the
Ministry) by reason of the activities of persons holding Shares in and/or controlling the
Company; |
|
Ministry means
the Ministry of Communications and/or Minister of Communications; |
|
Operating
Right means all or any part of any authority, permission, licence or privilege
applied for, granted to or enjoyed by the Company, including the Licence, for the
establishment, subsistence, maintenance and operation of a mobile radio telephone system
using the cellular method and the provision of mobile radio telephone services to the
public in Israel; |
|
Permitted
Maximum means the maximum aggregate permitted number of Relevant Shares
specified by the Board of Directors in accordance with the terms of the Licence, any
other requirements of the Ministry and any relevant requirements of Law; |
|
(a) |
any
person who, without the approval of the Ministry, acquires, directly or
indirectly, any Means of Control (as defined in the Licence) in breach of
Section 21 of the Licence other than a person who falls within Article
10A; or |
|
(b) |
any
Interested Party (as defined in the Licence) who, or who has an Officer
Holder (as defined in the Licence) who, is in breach of Sections 23 or 24
of the Licence other than a person who falls within Article 10A; |
|
RelevantShare means
any Share (other than a Share removed from the Relevant Shares Register (defined in
Article 44.3.2) pursuant to Article 44.3.5), in which a Relevant Person has an interest
or which is declared to be a Relevant Share pursuant to Article 44.3.4; |
56
|
44.3.1. |
The
Board of Directors shall not register a person as a holder of a Share unless
the person has given to the Board of Directors a declaration (in a form
prescribed by the Board of Directors) signed by him or on his behalf,
stating his name, nationality, that he is not a Relevant Person falling
within paragraphs (c) or (d) of the definition of that term and other
information required by the Board of Directors. |
|
44.3.2. |
The
Board of Directors shall maintain a register (the Relevant Shares
Register), in which shall be entered particulars of any Share which
has been: |
|
(a) |
acknowledged
by the holder (or by a joint holder) to be a Relevant Share; |
|
(b) |
declared
to be a Relevant Share pursuant to Article 44.3.4; or |
|
(c) |
determined
to be an Affected Share pursuant to Article 44.4.2.; |
|
and
which has not ceased to be a Relevant Share. The particulars in the Relevant Shares
Register in respect of any Share shall include the identity of the holder or joint
holders and information requested by and supplied to the Board of Directors. |
|
44.3.3. |
Each
registered holder of a Share which has not been acknowledged to be a Relevant Share who
becomes aware that such Share is or has become a Relevant Share shall forthwith notify
the Company accordingly. |
|
44.3.4. |
The
Board of Directors may notify in writing the registered holder of a Share
which is not in the Relevant Shares Register and appears to be a Relevant
Share, requiring him to show that the Share is not a Relevant Share. Any
person to whom such notice has been issued may within 21 clear days after
the issue of the notice (or such longer period as the Board of Directors
may decide) represent to the Board of Directors why such Share should not
be treated as a Relevant Share but if, after considering such
representations and other relevant information, the Board of Directors is
not so satisfied, it shall declare such Share to be a Relevant Share and
treat it as such. |
57
|
44.3.5. |
The
Board of Directors shall remove a Relevant Share from the Relevant Shares
Register if the holder of the Relevant Share gives to the Board of
Directors a declaration (in a form prescribed by the Board of Directors),
together with such other evidence as the Board of Directors may require,
which satisfies it that such Share is no longer, or should not be treated,
as a Relevant Share. |
|
44.4.1. |
Article
44.4.2 shall apply for so long as the Company holds or enjoys any
Operating Right where the Board of Directors determines that it is
necessary to take steps to protect any Operating Right because an
Intervening Act is contemplated, threatened or intended, may take place or
has taken place; |
|
44.4.2. |
Where
a determination has been made under Article 44.4.1, the Board of Directors shall take
such of the following steps as they consider necessary or desirable to overcome, prevent
or avoid an Intervening Act: |
|
44.4.2.1. |
the
Board of Directors may remove any Director from office, by a resolution passed by a
majority of 75 per cent or more of the other Directors present and voting at the relevant
meeting; |
|
44.4.2.2. |
the
Board of Directors may seek to identify those Relevant Shares which gave
rise to the determination under Article 44.4.1 and by a resolution passed by a majority of
75 per cent or more of the Directors present and voting at the relevant meeting deal with
such Shares as Affected Shares; and |
|
44.4.2.3. |
when
the aggregate number of Relevant Shares in the Relevant Shares Register exceeds the
Permitted Maximum, the Board of Directors may deal with the Relevant Shares which it
decides, by a resolution passed by a majority of 75 per cent or more of the Directors
present and voting at the relevant meeting, are in excess of the Permitted Maximum as
Affected Shares. |
|
44.5. |
The
Board of Directors shall give an Affected Share Notice to the registered holder
of any Affected Share and state that Article 44.6 is to be applied forthwith in
respect of such Affected Share. The registered holder of the Affected Share may
within 21clear days after the issue of the notice (or such longer period as the
Board of Directors may decide) represent to the Board of Directors why such
Share should not be treated as an Affected Share and if, after considering such
representations and other relevant information, the Board of Directors
considers that the Share should not be treated as an Affected Share it shall
forthwith withdraw the Affected Share Notice and Article 44.6 shall no longer
apply to the Share. |
58
|
44.6. |
An
Affected Share in respect of which an Affected Share Notice has been served
shall be treated as a dormant share (as defined in section 308 of the Companies
Law) except that the registered holder of the Affected Share shall continue to
have the right to receive dividends and other distributions of the Company and
participate in bonus or rights issues of the Company in respect of such Share. |
|
44.7. |
In
deciding which Shares are to be treated as Affected Shares, the Board of
Directors shall have regard to the Relevant Shares which in its opinion have
directly or indirectly caused the determination under Article 44.4 and the
chronological order in which Relevant Shares have been entered in the Relevant
Shares Register (and accordingly treat as Affected Shares those Relevant Shares
entered in the Relevant Shares Register most recently) except where such
criterion would in their opinion be inequitable, in which event the Board of
Directors shall apply such other criterion or criteria as they may consider
appropriate. |
|
44.8. |
Subject
to the other provisions of this Article 44, the Board of Directors shall
be entitled to assume without enquiry that: |
|
44.8.1. |
all
Shares not in the Relevant Shares Register and not falling within clause
44.8.2 are neither Relevant Shares nor Shares which would be or be capable
of being treated as Affected Shares; and |
|
44.8.2. |
all
or some specified number of the Shares are Relevant Shares falling within
paragraphs (a)-(b) in the definition of that term if they (or interests in
them) are held by a Depositary, trustee, registration or nominee company
or other agent unless and for so long as, in respect of any such Shares,
it is established to their satisfaction that such Shares are not Relevant
Shares. |
|
44.9. |
Any
resolution or determination of, or any decision or the exercise of any
discretion or power by, the Board of Directors or any one of the Directors
under this Article 44 shall be final and conclusive. |
|
44.10.1. |
On
withdrawal of the determination under Article 44.4.1, the Board of Directors
shall cease to act pursuant to such determination and inform every person
on whom an Affected Share Notice has been served that Article 44.6 no
longer applies in respect of such Share. The withdrawal of such a
determination shall not affect the validity of any action taken by the
Board of Directors under this Article whilst that determination remained
in effect and such actions shall not be open to challenge on any ground
whatsoever. |
59
|
44.10.2. |
The
Board of Directors shall, so long as it acts reasonably and in good faith, be
under no liability to the Company or to any other person for failing to treat
any Share as an Affected Share or any person as a Relevant Person in accordance
with this Article and it shall not be liable to the Company or any other person
if, having acted reasonably and in good faith it determines erroneously that
any Share is an Affected Share, or any person is a Relevant Person or on the
basis of such determination or any other determination or resolution, they
perform or exercise their duties, powers, rights or discretions under this
Article in relation to such Share. |
|
44.11. |
A
person who has an interest in Shares by virtue of having an interest in
Depositary Receipts shall be deemed to have an interest in the number of Shares
represented by such Depositary Receipts and not (in the absence of any other
reason why he should be so treated) in the remainder of the Depositary Shares
held by the relevant Depositary. |
60
Annex B
_____________, 2005
Dear Ms./Mr. ________:
Letter of
Indemnification
1. |
Partner Communications Company Ltd. (Partner) hereby
undertakes to indemnify you for any liability or expense that you incur or that
is imposed on you in consequence of an action or an inaction by you (including
prior to the date of this letter), in your capacity of an officer in Partner or
as an officer on behalf of Partner in a company controlled by Partner or in
which Partner has an interest (such companies being referred to herein as
Subsidiaries), as follows: |
|
1.1. |
Financial liability that you incur or is imposed on you in accordance with a
judgment, including a judgment given in a settlement or a judgment of an
arbitrator approved by the Court, provided that such liability pertain to one or
more of the events set out in Schedule I hereto, which, in the opinion of
the Board of Directors of Partner, are anticipated in light of Partners
activities at the time of granting this undertaking; |
|
1.2. |
Reasonable litigation expenses, including legal fees, that you may incur or for
which you will be ordered to pay by a Court in the context of proceedings filed
against you by or on behalf of Partner or by a third party, or in a criminal
proceeding in which you are acquitted or if you are convicted, for an offense
which does not require criminal intent; and |
|
1.3. |
Reasonable litigation expenses, including legal fees that you may incur due to
an investigation or proceeding conducted against you by an authority authorized
to conduct such investigation or proceeding and which has ended without the
filing of an indictment against you and without the imposition of a financial
liability as a substitute for a criminal proceeding, or which has ended without
the filing of an indictment against you but with the imposition of financial
liability as a substitute for a criminal proceeding relating to an offense which
does not require criminal intent, within the meaning of the relevant terms in
the law. |
2. |
Upon the occurrence of an event for which you may be entitled to be indemnified,
subject to the terms of this letter (including the limitations as to amount in
Section 3.14) and any laws applicable at such time, Partner shall provide you
with the necessary payments to cover all your expenses in respect of the legal
proceedings in question, so that you will not have to pay for or finance them
yourself. |
3. |
Indemnification
pursuant to this letter will be subject to applicable law and to the
following terms and conditions: |
|
3.1. |
That you notify Partner within a reasonable time of your learning of any legal
proceedings instigated against you in connection with any event that may give
rise to indemnification and that you provide Partner, or anyone specified by
Partner, with any documents connected to the proceeding in question. |
|
3.2. |
That Partner reserves the right to represent you in the proceedings or to
appoint legal counsel of its choice for this purpose (unless its choice of legal
counsel is unacceptable to you on reasonable grounds). Partner or such legal
counsel will take all necessary steps to bring the matter to a close and will
keep you informed of key steps in the process. The appointed counsel will be
bound by a fiduciary duty to you and to Partner. If a conflict of interests
should arise between the appointed counsel and yourself, counsel will inform
Partner and you will be entitled to appoint a different counsel reasonably
acceptable to Partner and the terms of this indemnification agreement shall
apply to the new appointment. If Partner should decide to settle by arbitration
or by mediation or by settlement, it shall be allowed to do so, provided that
you do not incur any additional expense or liability due to such arbitration,
mediation or settlement or that you have otherwise agreed to such arbitration,
mediation or settlement. If Partner so requests, you will sign any document that
will empower it or any appointed counsel to represent you and defend you in any
proceeding as stated above. You will cooperate as reasonably demanded of you
with Partner and any appointed legal counsel. Partner shall cover all related
expenses so that you will not have to make any payments or incur any expenses
yourself. |
|
3.3. |
That whether or not Partner shall operate in accordance with section 3.2 above,
indemnification shall still cover all and every kind of expense incurred by you
that is included in section 1 of this letter so that you will not have to pay or
finance them yourself. You will not be indemnified for any expenses arising from
a settlement, mediation or arbitration unless Partner has agreed to the
settlement, mediation or arbitration. |
|
3.5. |
That upon your request for payment in connection with any event according to
this indemnification letter, Partner shall complete all the necessary
arrangements required by the law for payment and shall act to receive all
necessary authorizations, if demanded. If any authorization should be required
for payment, and the payment is not authorized for any reason, this payment or
part of it will be subject to the approval of the court (if relevant) and
Partner shall act in order to receive authorization. |
|
3.6. |
That in the event that you are paid for any sums in accordance with this letter
of indemnification in connection with a legal proceeding, and later it becomes
clear that you were not entitled to such payments, the sums will be considered
as a loan given to you by Partner subject to the lowest interest rate for
purposes of Section 3(9) of the Income Tax Ordinance (or any other legislation
replacing it) which does not cause a taxable benefit. You shall be required to
repay such amounts in accordance with the payment arrangements fixed by Partner,
and at such time as Partner shall request in writing. |
|
3.7. |
That you shall remain entitled to indemnification by Partner as provided in this
letter of indemnification even when you are no longer an officer in Partner or
in a Subsidiary on Partners behalf, as long as the events that led to the
payments, costs and expenses for which indemnification is being sought are a
result of an action or an inaction taken by you as an officer. |
2
|
3.8. |
The terms contained in this letter will be construed in accordance with the
Companies Law, 1999 (the Companies Law), and in the absence of any
definition in the Companies Law, pursuant to the Securities Law, 1968.
Schedule I hereto constitutes an integral part hereof. |
|
3.9. |
The obligations of Partner under this letter shall be interpreted broadly and in
a manner that shall facilitate its implementation, to the extent permitted by
law, and for the purposes for which it was intended. In the event of a conflict
between any provision of this letter and any provision of the law that cannot be
superceded, changed or amended, said provision of the law shall supersede the
specific provision in this letter, but shall not limit or diminish the validity
of the remaining provisions of this letter. |
|
3.10. |
The indemnification under this letter will enter into effect upon your signing a
copy of the same in the appropriate place, and the delivery of such signed copy
to Partner. It is hereby agreed that your agreement to accept this letter
constitutes your irrevocable agreement that any previous undertaking of Partner
for indemnification, to the extent granted, shall become void automatically upon
your signing this letter. Notwithstanding the above, if this letter shall be
declared or found void for any reason whatsoever then any previous undertaking
of Partner for indemnification towards you, which this letter is intended to
replace, shall remain in full force and effect. |
|
3.11. |
Partner may, in its sole discretion and at any time, revoke its undertaking to
indemnify hereunder, or reduce the Maximum Indemnity Amount (as defined in
section 3.14 below) thereunder, or limit the events to which it applies, either
in regard to all the officers or to some of them, to the extent such change or
revocation relates solely, to events that occur after the date of such change,
provided that prior notice has been given to the officer of its intention to do
so, in writing, at least 60 days before the date on which its decision will
enter into effect. No such decision will have a retroactive effect of any kind
whatsoever and the letter of indemnification prior to such change or revocation,
as the case may be, will continue to apply and be in full force and effect for
all purposes in relation to any event that occurred prior to such change or
revocation, even if the proceeding in respect thereof is filed against the
officer after the change or revocation of the letter of indemnity. In all other
cases, this letter may not be changed unless Partner and yourself have agreed in
writing. |
|
3.12. |
This undertaking to indemnify is not a contract for the benefit of any third
party, including any insurer, and is not assignable nor will any insurer have
the right to demand participation of Partner in any payment for which an insurer
is made liable under any insurance agreement that has been made with it, with
the exception of the deductible specified in such agreement. For the avoidance
of any doubt in the event of death this letter will apply to you and your
estate. |
3
|
3.13. |
No waiver, delay, forbearance to act or extension granted by Partner or by you
will be construed in any circumstances as a waiver of the rights hereunder or by
law, and will not prevent any such party from taking all legal and other steps
as will be required in order to enforce such rights. |
|
3.14. |
The aggregate indemnification amount payable by Partner to all the officers
pursuant to all letters of indemnification issued or that may be issued to them
by Partner in the future will not exceed the higher of (i) 25% of shareholders
equity and (ii) 25% of market capitalization, each as measured at the time of
indemnification (the Maximum Indemnity Amount). |
|
3.15. |
The Maximum Indemnity Amount shall not be affected in any way by the existence
of, or payment under, insurance policies. Payment of the indemnification shall
not affect your right to receive insurance payments, if you receive the same
(either personally or through Partner or on your behalf) and Partner will not be
required to indemnity you for any sums that were, in fact, already paid to you
or for you in respect of insurance or any other indemnification obligations made
to you by any third party. In the event there is any payment made under this
letter and such payment is covered by an insurance policy, Partner shall be
entitle to collect such amount of payment from the insurance proceeds. |
|
3.16. |
In the event the indemnification amount Partner is required to pay to its
officers, as mentioned in section 1 above, exceeds at any time the Maximum
Indemnity Amount or the balance of the Maximum Indemnity Amount in accordance
with section 3.14 above after deducting any indemnification amounts paid or
payable by Partner to any of its officers at such time, such Maximum
Indemnification Amount or such remaining balance will be allocated among the
officers entitled to indemnification, in the same ratio as with respect to any
event the amount for which each individual officer may be indemnified is to the
aggregate amount that all of the relevant officers involved in the event may be
indemnified. |
|
3.17. |
The foregoing does not derogate from Partners right to indemnify you
retroactively in accordance with that permitted by the articles of association
of Partner and applicable law. |
You should be aware that, insofar as
indemnification for liabilities arising under the United States Securities Act of 1933
(the Securities Act) may be permitted to Partners directors and offices,
Partner has been advised that in the opinion of the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (the SEC) such indemnification is against public policy as
expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event of a claim
for such indemnification, Partner will (in accordance with an undertaking given to the
SEC), unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such
indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be
governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
4
The law of the State of Israel shall
govern this Letter of Indemnification and all issues related thereto, without giving
effect to any conflicts of law principles. The courts in Tel Aviv, Israel shall have the
exclusive local and international jurisdiction, in connection with this Letter of
Indemnification, except if indemnification claim is related to a legal proceeding, already
filed by a third party in a different court.
Respectfully,
______________________
on behalf of
Partner Communications Company Ltd.
I accept the terms and conditions of
the above. I am aware that my agreement to accept this letter constitutes my irrevocable
agreement that any previous undertaking of Partner for indemnification, to the extent
granted, should become void automatically upon my signing this letter. Notwithstanding,
the above if this indemnification letter shall be void for any reason whatsoever than any
previous undertaking of Partner for indemnification towards me shall remain in force.
_____________________
Name: _______________
Date: ________________
5
Schedule I
Subject to the provisions of the law,
the following are the events referred to in section 1.1 of the Letter of Indemnification:
1. |
Any offering of Partners securities to private investors and/or to the
public and listing of such securities, and/or the offer by Partner to purchase
securities from the public and/or from private investors or other holders, and
any undertakings, representations, warranties and other obligations related to
any such offering and Partners status as a public company or as an issuer
of securities. |
2. |
All matters relating to Partners status, obligations and/or actions as a
public company, and/or the fact that Partners securities were issued to
the public or to private investors and/or are traded on a stock exchange
(including Nasdaq stock market), whether in Israel or abroad. |
3. |
The erection, construction and operation of Partners mobile telephone
network, including the erection and operation of antennas and other equipment
and environmental issues, including undertakings, activities and communications
with authorities regarding the foregoing and including the work performed by
Partners subcontractors in connection therewith. |
4. |
The purchase, distribution, marketing and sale of handsets, other terminal
equipment and any other of Partners products and/or any marketing plans
and/or publications. |
5. |
A transaction or an activity within the meaning of section 1 of the Companies
Law, including negotiations for entering into a transaction or an activity, the
transfer, sale, acquisition or charge of assets or liabilities (including
securities) or the grant or acceptance of a right in any one of them, receiving
credit and the grant of collateral, as well as any act directly or indirectly
involving such a transaction or activity. |
6. |
Investments which Partner and/or its subsidiaries and/or its affiliates make in
other entities whether before and/or after the investment is made, entering into
the transaction, the execution, development and monitoring thereof, including
actions taken or alleged omissions by you in the name of Partner and/or any
subsidiary thereof and/or any affiliates thereof as a director, officer,
employee and/or a board observer of the entity which is the subject of the
transaction and the like. |
7. |
The merger, acquisition or other business combination or any such proposed
transaction of Partner, any subsidiary thereof and/or any affiliate thereof with
or into another entity and/or the sale or proposed sale of the operations and/or
business, or part thereof, of Partner, any of its subsidiaries and/or any of its
affiliates. |
8. |
Labor relations and/or employment matters in Partner, its subsidiaries and/or
its affiliates and trade relations of Partner, its subsidiaries and/or its
affiliates, including with independent contractors, customers, suppliers and
service providers. |
9. |
The testing of products developed and/or marketed by Partner, its subsidiaries
and/or its affiliates and/or in connection with the distribution, sale, license
or use of such products. |
6
10. |
The intellectual property of Partner, its subsidiaries and/or its affiliates,
and its protection, including the registration or assertion of rights to
intellectual property and the defense of claims relating to intellectual
property infringement. |
11. |
Actions taken (or alleged omissions) pursuant to or in accordance with the
policies and procedures of Partner, its subsidiaries and/or its affiliates,
whether such policies and procedures are published or not. |
12. |
The borrowing or other receipt of funds and any other financing transaction or
arrangement, or any such proposed transaction or arrangement. |
13. |
Any resolution with respect to a company distribution (as defined in the
Companies Law). |
14. |
Taking part in or performing tenders. |
15. |
The making of any statement, including a representation or opinion made by an
officer of Partner in such capacity whether in public or private, including
during meetings of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof. |
16. |
An act in contradiction to the articles or memorandum of association of Partner. |
17. |
Any action or decision in relation to work safety and/or working conditions. |
18. |
Actions taken pursuant to Partners licenses. |
19. |
Decisions and/or actions pertaining to the environment and/or the safety of
handsets, including radiation or dangerous substances. |
20. |
Negotiation for, signing and performance or non-performance of insurance
policies. |
21. |
Events associated with the drawing up and or approval of financial statements. |
22. |
Business plans, including pricing, marketing, distribution, directives to
employees, customers and suppliers and collaborations with other parties. |
23. |
Reporting and/or filing of applications or reports to any governmental or
quasi-governmental authority, stock exchange or regulatory body whether in
Israel or abroad. |
24. |
Actions, and any legal processes, whether in Israel or abroad, relating,
directly or indirectly, to any governmental or quasi-governmental authority,
including with respect to trade restrictions, binding arrangements, mergers and
monopolies. |
25. |
Investigations conducted against you by any governmental or quasi-governmental
authority. |
26. |
Class actions, including class actions in respect of the environment, consumer
protection, and anti-trust, derivative actions or any other legal proceedings
against you and/or Partner and/or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with
your role and/or activities in Partner or on its behalf. |
7
27. |
Any other actions which can be anticipated for companies of the type of Partner,
and which the Board of Directors may deem appropriate. |
28. |
Partners public offering of equity in 1999, public offering of debt
securities in 2000, public offering of debt securities in 2005 (including any
subsequent offer and sale of the debt securities of that class) and redemption
of debt securities in 2005. |
29. |
A claim and a motion to certify as a class action filed against Partner in April
2002 alleging a variety of consumer complaints. |
30. |
A claim and a motion to certify as a class action filed against Partner and
other cellular telecommunication companies in April 2003 in respect of alleged
violations of anti-trust law. |
31. |
Share repurchase and distribution of dividends in 2005. |
32. |
All matters relating to breach of Partners licenses. |
33. |
All matters relating to breach of Partner contracts. |
34. |
Activities Partner may pursue in new areas such as transmission services, access
to high-speed Internet services, fixed line and long-distance telephony
services, cable television and other communications services to subscribers. |
35. |
A suspicion as to perpetration of an offence and/or breach of a statutory
obligation under any law because of an action taken by Partner and that,
according to any law, can also be attributed to the office-holder and/or because
of an action taken by the office-holder by virtue of his function as an
office-holder in Partner and/or that was taken for the sake of Partner and/or on
its behalf. |
36. |
Any of the foregoing events, relating to your service as an officer in any of
Partners Subsidiaries on Partners behalf. |
8
Annex C
CV
Dr. Michael J. Anghel
Over the past three decades Dr.
Anghel has founded, managed and served as director and chairman of various technology
enterprises, communications corporations and financial institutions.
From 1977 to May 1999, Dr. Anghel led
the Discount Investment Corporation Ltd. (of the IDB Group) activities in the technology
and communications areas. In addition to founding TEVEL-one of the original Cable TV
operators in Israel, he was responsible for winning the bid and the founding of Cellcom
the second Israeli cellular operator. He was directly involved with various
emerging technology ventures and served on the Boards of various major Israeli
corporations publicly traded in the US (Elron, Elscint, Elbit, Nice, Gilat American
Israeli Paper Mills and others).
In 1999 he founded CAP Ventures
a venture capital firm investing and founding advanced technology enterprises. From
2004 to 2005 he assumed the role of President and CEO of DCM the investment banking
arm of the Israel Discount Bank.
Dr. Anghel serves on the boards of Syneron Medical Ltd., Orbotech Ltd., Powerdsine
Ltd. and Scopus Video Networks Ltd.
Prior to his business career, Dr.
Anghel was a full time member of the faculty of the Recanati Graduate School of Business
Administration of the Tel-Aviv University teaching finance and corporate strategy. He
currently serves as Chairman of the Universitys Executive Program which he
originally helped to found.
Dr. Anghel holds a B.A.(economics) from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem and an
M.B.A.and Ph.D. (Finance) from Columbia University in New York.
DEED OF AUTHORIZATION
Date1: ____ , 2006
To: |
|
Partner
Communications Company Ltd. (the Company) |
Attn: |
|
Roly
Klinger, Company Secretary |
Re: |
|
Extraordinary
General Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Thursday, March 23, 2006 |
I, the undersigned2
_________________________, (Identification No./Registration No. _________), of
____________________________________________, being a registered holder of
_______________________(*) Ordinary Shares, par value NIS 0.01 per share, of
the Company, hereby authorize _______________________, Identification No.
________________(**), to participate and vote in my stead and on my behalf at
the referenced meeting and in any adjournment of the referenced meeting of the Company,
until I shall otherwise notify you.
|
|
Signature
Name: Title: |
1 Date of signature
2 Name of Shareholder
(*) |
A
shareholder is entitled to give several deeds of authorization, each of which refers
to a different quantity of Ordinary Shares of the Company held by him, so
long as he shall not give deeds of authorization with respect to an aggregate
number of Ordinary Shares exceeding the total number he holds. |
(**) |
In
the event that the proxy does not hold an Israeli Identification number, indicate
a passport number, if any, and the name of the country which issued the passport. |
Deed of Vote
|
|
Partner Communications Company Ltd. |
Date: __________, 2006 |
8 Ha'amal Street |
Rosh Ha'ayin, Israel |
Re: Extraordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders to be held on March 23, 2006
I, the undersigned
_______________________, [Identification No./Registration No.]
_________________1, of ____________________________, being the registered
holder or the holder of an appropriate Deed of Authorization, attached hereto, of
__________ Ordinary Shares2, par value NIS 0.01 per share, of Partner
Communications Company Ltd. (the Company), hereby appoint any one of
Amikam Cohen, Alan Gelman and Roly Klinger (the Proxies) to vote on
behalf of the undersigned all the Ordinary Shares specified above which the undersigned is
entitled to vote at the referenced general meeting or any adjournment thereof.
This Deed of Vote, when properly
executed and delivered to the Company at least two business days prior to the date of the
referenced general meeting, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the
undersigned. If no indication is made, this Deed of Vote will be voted FOR each item
specified below.
1 In the event that
the shareholder does not hold an Israeli Identification number, indicate a
passport number, if any, and the name of the country which issued the
passport.
2 A Shareholder is
entitled to give several Deeds of Authorization, each of which refers to a
different quantity of Ordinary Shares of the company held by him, so long
as he shall not give Deeds of Authorization with respect to an aggregate
number of Ordinary Shares exceeding the total number he holds.
Item No. |
Subject of the Resolution |
Vote |
Personal Interest 3 |
|
|
For |
Against |
Abstain |
|
(i) |
To authorize the distribution of a cash dividend in the amount of NIS 0.65 per share to shareholders of record on April 10, 2006 |
|
|
|
|
(ii) |
To approve the amendments to the Articles of Association of the Company described in the attached Proxy Statement |
|
|
|
|
(iii) |
To approve the grant of new
Indemnification Letters to all
current and future directors and
officers of the Company, subject to
the approval of the amendments to
the Articles of Association of the
Company relating to indemnification
as mentioned in section (ii) above
|
|
|
|
|
(iv) |
To approve and ratify the purchase
of new directors' and officers'
insurance
|
|
|
|
Have "Personal Interest" |
|
|
|
Do not have "Personal Interest" |
(v) |
To approve the remuneration for an independent director of the Company |
|
|
|
|
(vi) |
A. To nominate a new external director (Dahatz) ("External Directors") and |
|
|
|
|
B. to approve the new external director's remuneration |
|
|
|
|
(vii) |
To approve and adjustment of the remuneration of the current External Director |
|
|
|
|
3 Under the Israeli
Companies Law of 1999, a personal interest of a
shareholder (i) includes a personal interest of any members of
the shareholders immediate family (or spouses thereof) or a
personal interest of an entity in which the shareholder (or such
family member thereof) serves as a director or the CEO, owns at least
5% of its issued share capital or its voting rights or has the right
to appoint a director or the CEO and (ii) excludes an interest
arising in itself from the ownership of shares in any company.
2
You must mark one of the
following two boxes (if an X is not marked in either column, or if an X is marked in both
columns, the vote shall be disqualified)4:
o
|
I,
the undersigned, hereby declare that either my holdings or my vote requires the consent
of the Minister of Communications pursuant to Sections 21 or 23 of the License. |
o
|
I,
the undersigned, hereby declare that neither my holdings nor my vote, require the consent
of the Minister of Communications pursuant to Sections 21 or 23 of the License. |
|
|
Signature
Name: Title: |
4In the event that the
Shareholder is an Interested Party, as defined in the License, voting in a
different manner with respect to each part of his Ordinary Shares, a separate Deed of
Vote should be filed for each quantity of Ordinary Shares in respect of which he intends
to vote differently.
3
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused
this Current Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.
|
|
Partner Communications Company Ltd.
BY: /S/ Alan Gelman
Alan Gelman Chief Financial Officer |
Dated: March 2, 2006