Translation Notice — This is an English translation of a Hebrew law and may contain inaccuracies. In any dispute or legal matter, the original Hebrew text as published in Reshumot (ספר החוקים) is the sole authoritative and legally binding version.
Law
Entry into Israel Law, 5712-1952
חוק הכניסה לישראל
Section B: Miscellaneous Offenses
Offenses
12.
[Amendment: 1985, 2018-4, 2025-3]
(a)One who does any of the following:
(1)enters Israel, or resides therein, in contravention of the law;
(2)provides false information in order to obtain, for himself or for another, a visa to Israel or a residence permit therein;
(3)violates any of the conditions set in his visa or residence permit granted to him under this law;
(3a)enters one of the countries listed in Section 2a of the Prevention of Infiltration (Offenses and Jurisdiction) Law, 5714–1954, without a permit, in contravention of the provisions of Section 7a;
(3b)violates any of the conditions set in a permit granted pursuant to Section 7a;
(4)contravenes any other provision of this law or of Regulations enacted thereunder,
shall be liable to one year's imprisonment, and in respect of an offense under paragraphs (1) or (3), if the person entered Israel from the Area or through the Area, shall be liable to two years' imprisonment.
(b)Where a person has been convicted of an offense as set forth in the latter part of subsection (a), under the circumstances stated therein, the court shall order, in addition to any other penalty, one or more of the following, unless it has seen fit not to do so for special reasons to be recorded:
(1)imposition of a fine of not less than 10,000 New Shekels and not more than 40,000 New Shekels;
(2)forfeiture of property of the convicted person that was seized in accordance with the provisions of Section 32 of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance; for the purpose of the power of seizure under said Section 32 — cash found on a suspect of an offense as set forth in the earlier part of subsection (a), under the circumstances detailed therein, shall be deemed to be remuneration given for the commission of the offense or a means for its commission, unless proven otherwise.
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Contact Us →Section C: Unlawful Transportation
Unlawful Transportation
12a.
[Amendment: 1994, 1995-2, 1996-2, 1997, 1998, 1998-2, 2000-2, 2001, 2001-3, 2001-5, 2005, 2007-2, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012-2, 2014, 2016, 2018-2, 2024]
(a)[(Cancelled).]
(b)[(Cancelled).]
(c)
(1)One who transports in a vehicle a foreign resident who is unlawfully present in Israel — the penalty is four years' imprisonment or the fine prescribed in Section 61(a)(3) of the Penal Law, 5737–1977 (hereinafter — the Penal Law);
(1a)Where an offense under paragraph (1) was committed under one of the circumstances listed below, the penalty for the offender is seven years' imprisonment or double the fine prescribed in Section 61(a)(3) of the Penal Law:
(a)A modification was made to the vehicle, including the addition of an addition or the installation of a device, or another action was taken, all with the purpose of concealing the foreign resident who is unlawfully present in Israel;
(b)Three or more foreign residents who are unlawfully present in Israel and who are not family members of the transporter were transported in the vehicle; for this purpose, "family member" of the transporter means a parent, child, brother, or sister;
(c)The transportation was carried out as part of transportation services whose purpose is to enable the unlawful entry into Israel or unlawful presence therein of foreign residents, as referred to in subsection (c6).
(2)The provisions of paragraphs (1) and (1a) shall not apply to a transporter as referred to in those paragraphs when transporting by public bus and on a service line; for this purpose, "public bus" and "service line" — as defined in Section 1 of the Traffic Ordinance.
(3)
(a)Where an offense under paragraph (1) was committed by a corporation — the penalty is double the fine prescribed for that offense.
(b)Where an offense under paragraph (1a) was committed by a corporation — the penalty is double the fine prescribed for that offense.
(4)
(a)A fine imposed under paragraph (1a) shall not be less than the amount set out below, as applicable, unless the court has decided, for special reasons that shall be recorded, to mitigate the penalty:
(1)A fine imposed on an individual — 10,000 new shekels;
(2)A fine imposed on a corporation — 40,000 new shekels.
(b)The provisions of this paragraph shall remain in force until the 24th of Nisan 5787 (1 May 2027).
(c1)
(1)Where a police officer has reasonable grounds to suspect that an offense under subsection (c) or (c5) has been committed and that one of the following paragraphs applies, the officer may issue to the driver of the vehicle in which the offense was committed, or to the owner of that vehicle, a notice prohibiting the use of the vehicle for a period not exceeding 30 days (hereinafter — use prohibition notice), and may take the vehicle's registration certificate for that period:
(a)The driver has previously transported a foreign resident who was unlawfully present in Israel;
(b)The vehicle was previously used to transport a foreign resident who was unlawfully present in Israel, provided that three years have not yet elapsed from the date of that transportation;
(c)One of the circumstances listed in subsection (c)(1a) was present.
(2)Where the driver or owner of the vehicle requests cancellation of a use prohibition notice issued in circumstances under paragraph (1)(b), the police officer may instruct the driver or owner to accompany the officer to a police officer of higher rank, or issue a summons to appear before a police officer of higher rank within 48 hours of the time of delivery of the notice and the taking of the vehicle's registration certificate as referred to in paragraph (1); the police officer of higher rank shall be entitled to order the cancellation of the use prohibition notice and to return the vehicle's registration certificate to the person from whom it was taken.
(3)A use prohibition notice shall state the reason for the prohibition on use of the vehicle and for the taking of the registration certificate.
(c2)A court that convicted a person of an offense under subsections (c) or (c5) may order, by way of an order in addition to any other penalty, the prohibition of the use of the vehicle in which the offense was committed for a period not exceeding six months (hereinafter — use prohibition order); in the use prohibition order, the court shall determine the location where the vehicle is to be kept during the period of the use prohibition.
(c3)The following provisions of the Traffic Ordinance shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the prohibition on use of a vehicle under subsections (c1) and (c2):
(1)Section 57a(b)(2) and (3) with the following modification: in Section 57a(b)(3), instead of "in paragraphs (1) and (2)" it shall read "in paragraph (2)";
(2)Section 57a(c);
(3)Sections 57b, 57c(b) through (f), and 57d through 57g, with the following modifications:
(a)[(deleted);]
(b)In Section 57b(a), instead of "from the court competent to adjudicate traffic offenses" it shall read "from the Magistrate's Court";
(b1)In Section 57b(b)(2), instead of "in Section 57a(a)" it shall read
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Contact Us →Section D: Special Procedural Rules
Special Procedural Rules
12a1.
[Amendment: 2001-5, 2005, 2006, 2007-2, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012-2, 2025-3]
(a)The Criminal Procedure Law [Consolidated Version], 5742–1982 (in this Law – the Criminal Procedure Law), and the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Arrest and Search) [New Version], 5729–1969 (in this Law – the Criminal Procedure Ordinance), shall apply to a foreign resident suspected of an offense under Section 12(a)(1), with the following modifications:
(1)Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 128 of the Criminal Procedure Law, the provisions of Section 130 thereof shall also apply to a defendant who has been summoned to the commencement of trial, provided that the summons to trial contained a warning that the court shall be entitled to try the defendant in absentia and to order the forfeiture of a vehicle seized pursuant to Section 32 of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance, if the defendant fails to appear;
(2)With respect to the Criminal Procedure Ordinance –
(a)Where a vehicle brought into Israel by a foreign resident unlawfully present in Israel has been seized, the court shall not order the return of the vehicle pursuant to Section 34 thereof prior to the conclusion of the proceedings, except for special reasons that shall be recorded;
(b)Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 39 thereof, a court that has convicted a foreign resident of an offense under Section 12(a)(1) shall order, in addition to any other penalty, the forfeiture of the vehicle seized pursuant to Section 32 of the Criminal Procedure Law [should read: of the Criminal Procedure Ordinance], even if the defendant did not appear for trial, unless the court has decided, for special reasons that shall be recorded, not to do so;
(c)The court shall not forfeit a vehicle as referred to in sub-paragraph (b) if the person convicted is not the owner of the vehicle, unless all of the following conditions have been met:
(1)The vehicle owner was given an opportunity to present arguments;
(2)The vehicle owner did not prove that the vehicle was taken from the owner by the foreign resident without the owner's knowledge or without the owner's consent, or that the owner did not know, at the time of delivering the vehicle to the foreign resident, that the foreign resident would drive it in Israel unlawfully;
(d)The court shall not order the forfeiture of a vehicle pursuant to sub-paragraphs (b) or (c) unless it is satisfied that neither the defendant nor the vehicle owner was prevented from entering Israel and appearing for trial.
(b)Nothing in the provisions of this Section shall derogate from the provisions of the Customs Ordinance with respect to the seizure and forfeiture of a vehicle.
12b.
[Amendment: 1994, 1995-2, 1996-2, 1997, 1998, 1998-2, 2000]
[(Repealed).]
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Contact Us →Section E: Unlawful Lodging and Employment
Definitions – Internal
12b1.
In this Division –
Unlawful Lodging and Employment
12b2.
[Amendment: 5776, 5778-2, 5784]
(a)Notwithstanding anything provided in any other enactment, the following are punishable by four years' imprisonment or the fine prescribed in Section 61(a)(3) of the Penal Law:
(1)A person who makes lodging available, whether for consideration or without consideration, to a foreign resident who entered Israel unlawfully or who resides therein unlawfully, or who assists, whether for consideration or without consideration, such a foreign resident in obtaining lodging — all whether directly or indirectly, whether personally or through another employed by or on behalf of that person;
(2)An employer who employs a worker who is a foreign resident not permitted to work in Israel under this Law, whether directly or indirectly, whether personally or through another employed by or on behalf of that employer.
(b)Where an offence under subsection (a) is committed by a corporation, the penalty shall be a fine of four times the fine prescribed in Section 61(a)(3) of the Penal Law.
(c)
(1)A fine imposed under subsection (a) shall not be less than 5,000 new shekels, unless the court has decided, for special reasons to be recorded, to impose a lesser penalty.
(2)A fine imposed on a corporation under subsections (a) and (b) shall not be less than 20,000 new shekels, unless the court has decided, for special reasons to be recorded, to impose a lesser penalty.
(3)The provisions of this subsection shall remain in force until the 24th day of Nisan 5787 (1 May 2027).
Lodging and Employment under Aggravated Circumstances
12b3.
[Amendment: 5776, 5778-2, 5784]
(a)Where an offence under Section 12b2(a) is committed under any of the circumstances listed below, the offender shall be liable to seven years' imprisonment or the fine prescribed in Section 61(a)(4) of the Penal Law:
(1)Lodging or employment as referred to in Section 12b2(a) of two or more foreign residents;
(2)Lodging or employment of a foreign resident as referred to in Section 12b2(a) for a continuous period of two days or more;
(3)Lodging of a foreign resident as referred to in Section 12b2(a) with the purpose of employing that person.
(b)Where an offence under subsection (a) is committed by a corporation, the penalty shall be double the fine prescribed in this Section.
(c)
(1)A fine imposed under subsection (a) shall not be less than 10,000 new shekels, unless the court has decided, for special reasons to be recorded, to impose a lesser penalty.
(2)A fine imposed on a corporation under subsections (a) and (b) shall not be less than 40,000 new shekels, unless the court has decided, for special reasons to be recorded, to impose a lesser penalty.
(3)The provisions of this subsection shall remain in force until the 24th day of Nisan 5787 (1 May 2027).
Administrative Order Restricting Use of Premises
12b4.
[Amendment: 5776]
(a)Where an authorized police officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a place is being used for the commission of an offence under Sections 12ב2 or 12ב3, and also has reasonable grounds for concern that the place will continue to be used for the commission of such an offence if its use is not restricted immediately, the officer may issue an order restricting the use of the place for a period to be determined in the order, and may extend the validity of the order for additional periods, provided that the total of all periods shall not exceed 30 days (in this Chapter – an administrative restriction order).
(b)A copy of an administrative restriction order shall be posted at the place to which it applies and shall be delivered to the owner of the place and to the occupant of the place if they can be located with reasonable diligence in the circumstances of the matter.
(c)Where an administrative restriction order has been issued, any person who regards themselves as aggrieved by the order may apply to an authorized police officer with a request to present their arguments before the officer in the matter; the authorized police officer shall render a decision within 72 hours of the submission of the request.
(d)Any person who regards themselves as aggrieved by an administrative restriction order may appeal against it to the court, which shall be empowered to cancel it or to vary its conditions.
Judicial Order Restricting Use of Premises
12b5.
[Amendment: 5776]
(a)A court may, upon a written application by the officer in charge of the investigation, order the extension of an administrative restriction order for an additional period not exceeding 60 days, if satisfied that restricting the use of the premises is necessary to prevent the continuation of the offence for which the order was issued, and may repeat such an order from time to time.
(b)Where an indictment has been filed for an offence under Sections 12b2 or 12b3, the court may, upon application by a prosecutor —
(1)where an administrative restriction order has been issued in connection with the offence — order the extension of that order until the conclusion of the proceedings or until an earlier date to be determined;
(2)where no administrative restriction order has been issued in connection with the offence — issue an order restricting the use of the premises until the conclusion of the proceedings or until an earlier date to be determined.
(c)Where an application has been filed for the extension of an administrative restriction order under subsection (a) or (b)(1), the hearing on the extension application shall be held as soon as possible, and the original order shall remain in force for an additional period of 30 days from the expiry of the period ordered by the competent officer, unless the court has determined otherwise.
(d)The court may reconsider a restriction order on the use of premises that it has issued (in this Chapter — a judicial restriction order) if it sees fit to do so by reason of changed circumstances or facts that came to light after the order was issued.
(e)The officer in charge of the investigation, a prosecutor, an owner of premises or a person in possession thereof, may appeal a decision of a court under this Section within 30 days from the date of the decision, before an appellate court, which shall hear the appeal before a single judge.
Considerations for Issuing an Order Restricting Use of Premises
12b6.
[Amendment: 5776]
In considering whether to issue an administrative restriction order or a judicial restriction order, an authorized police officer or a court, as the case may be, shall take into account, inter alia, the following:
(1)the commission of prior offences at the place;
(2)the knowledge of the owner of the place or the occupant thereof of the commission of an offence at the place or of an intention to commit an offence at the place;
(3)the extent of the harm that would be caused to the owner of the place or to the occupant thereof by the issuance of the order.
Content of an Order Restricting Use of Premises
12b7.
[Amendment: 5776, 5778-2]
(a)An administrative restriction order or a judicial restriction order shall prescribe conditions, restrictions, or prohibitions on the use of the place, including the closure of the place for the period specified in the order, all to an extent not exceeding what is required in the circumstances of the matter in order to prevent the continued commission of an offence at the place.
(b)An administrative restriction order or a judicial restriction order may also include a requirement for the provision of security to ensure compliance with the conditions, restrictions, or prohibitions prescribed in the order.
(c)In this Section, "security" – a monetary bond or a personal surety of the owner of the place or the occupant thereof, whether alone or together with a guarantee of any kind, a guarantee or monetary bond provided by guarantors, all as directed by the authorized police officer or the court, in the administrative restriction order or in the judicial restriction order, as the case may be.
Enforcement of an Order Restricting Use of Premises
12b8.
[Amendment: 5776]
Where an administrative restriction order or a judicial restriction order has been issued, a police officer may enter the place in respect of which the order was issued and take reasonable measures, including the use of force, as are necessary to ensure compliance with the order.
Order for Suspension of a Licence or Occupational Permit
12b9.
[Amendment: 5776, 5784]
(a)A court may, upon a written application by the officer in charge of the investigation, order the suspension of a licence or occupational permit granted under any law to a person suspected of committing an offence as referred to in Sections 12א, 12ב2, or 12ב3, in respect of an occupation connected with the offence, if there are reasonable grounds for concern that the continuation of the occupation poses a danger to public safety or security or is likely to facilitate the commission of a similar offence, for a period to be determined in the order, and may extend the validity of the order for additional periods, provided that the total of all periods shall not exceed 30 days.
(b)Where an indictment has been filed for an offence under Sections 12א, 12ב2, or 12ב3, the court may, upon the application of a prosecutor, issue an order as referred to in subsection (a) until the conclusion of the proceedings or until an earlier date to be determined, if satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for concern that the continuation of the occupation connected with the offence poses a danger to public safety or security or is likely to facilitate the commission of a similar offence.
(c)The officer in charge of the investigation, a prosecutor, and a suspect or accused against whom an order has been issued under subsections (a) or (b), may appeal the court's decision under subsections (a) or (b) within 30 days of the date the decision was given, before an appellate court, which shall hear the appeal before a single judge.
Imposition of the Penalty of Suspension of a Licence or Occupational Permit
12b10.
[Amendment: 5776, 5784, 5784-2]
(a)Where an individual or a corporation has been convicted of an offence under Section 12א, except for subsections (c)(1a) and (c6), or Section 12ב2, the court may, in addition to any other penalty, order the suspension of a licence or occupational permit granted under any law, in respect of an occupation connected with the offence, for a period not exceeding six months.
(b)Where an individual or a corporation has been convicted of an offence under Section 12א(c)(1a) or (c6) or 12ב3, the court shall order, in addition to any other penalty, the suspension of a licence or occupational permit granted under any law, in respect of an occupation connected with the offence, for a period not exceeding one year, unless it considers there is reason not to do so for special reasons that shall be recorded.
Subject-Matter and Territorial Jurisdiction in Issuing Orders
12b11.
[Amendment: 5776, 5778-2]
(a)The provisions of Sections 2 and 3 of the Arrests Law, with respect to the subject-matter and territorial jurisdiction of courts, shall apply to proceedings under Sections 12א(c4)(1) and 12ב4 through 12ב9.
(b)An application under Sections 12א(c4)(1), 12ב5(b), or 12ב9(b) shall, as far as possible, be heard before a judge who is not adjudicating the charge.
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