Penal Law, 5737-1977

חוק העונשין, תשל"ז-1977

Published: 1977-08-04Consolidated Hebrew text as of 2026-07-02 · Last amended 2026-06-30✓ Amendment status checked against the Knesset legislation record on 2026-09-28

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Section C: Stamps

Definitions§

485.

In this Section, "installs" means makes, repairs, begins to make, to repair or to use, or prepares for making or for repair.

Installing a Device for Making Stamps [a/371]§

486.

One who does any of the following, and is unable to prove lawful authorisation or justification, is liable to seven years' imprisonment:

(1)knowingly possesses, transfers or installs a die or other device, or prepares them for use, by means of which an impression can be produced resembling the impression produced by such instruments in the printing or impressing of revenue stamps or adhesive or impressed postage stamps used for the purposes of the State of Israel or for the purposes of a foreign state, or by means of which words, figures, letters, marks or lines can be produced resembling those found in paper specially provided for the said purposes and supplied by the authority designated for that purpose;

(2)knowingly possesses or transfers paper or other material bearing an impression of a die or of a device as referred to in paragraph (1), or paper bearing words, figures, letters, marks or lines as referred to therein.

Making and Preparation in Counterfeiting Postage Stamps [a/372]§

487.

(a)One who does any of the following, and is unable to prove lawful authorisation or justification, is liable to one year's imprisonment:

(1)makes or begins or prepares to make, on paper or other material, an imitation or likeness of a stamp used as a postage stamp in the State of Israel or in a foreign state, or possesses, transfers or uses such an imitation or likeness for postal purposes;

(2)installs, possesses or transfers a device or material for making an imitation or likeness as referred to in paragraph (1).

(b)Any of the things referred to in subsection (a) found in the possession of the offender shall be forfeited.

(c)A stamp indicating the rate of postal charges in a particular country shall be regarded, for the purposes of this section, as a stamp used for postal purposes in that country, unless the contrary is proved.

Device for Making Seals [a/373]§

488.

One who does any of the following, and is unable to prove lawful authorisation or justification, is liable to one year's imprisonment:

(1)knowingly possesses, transfers or installs a device by means of which an impression can be produced resembling the impression produced by a device used to make an embossed or adhesive seal used for the purposes of a public service or for the purposes of a person authorised by law to use a seal, or by means of which words, figures, letters, marks or lines can be produced on paper resembling those found in paper specially provided for the said purposes and supplied by the authority designated for that purpose;

(2)knowingly possesses or transfers paper or other material bearing an impression of a device as referred to in paragraph (1), or paper bearing a production as referred to in paragraph (1).

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Chapter XIII: Minor Offences

Refusal to Accept Coin at Face Value [a/370] [5726]§

489.

One who refuses to accept a coin or banknote that is legal tender in Israel at its face value is liable to three months' imprisonment.

Street Offences [a/380] [5726]§

490.

One who does any of the following without lawful excuse is liable to one month's imprisonment, and for offences under paragraphs (1), (4), (5) or (9) — also to payment of the expenses involved in removing the obstruction or repairing the damage:

(1)obstructs free passage on a public road by placing or leaving any thing thereon, or by placing or permitting to be placed any thing projecting over it and interfering with the safety and freedom of passage, or by digging trenches in it or otherwise encroaching upon it;

(2)after having lawfully dug trenches or erected structures or placed any thing on a public road — fails to display a lamp or light on a mound of earth, stones or other material, or on a channel, pipe or excavation, or otherwise fails to protect or warn passers-by;

(3)extinguishes a lamp or lantern serving to illuminate a public road, or removes or extinguishes a light displayed to indicate the existence of an excavation or any other thing on a public road;

(4)places or leaves on a public road filth, refuse, waste or any other offensive thing;

(5)takes refuse or other things out to a public road in a manner likely to cause harm or inconvenience to a passer-by;

(6)abandons or tethers an animal in a manner likely to cause obstruction on a public road, or allows an animal used for draught, burden or riding to stray on a public road, or allows a vehicle to remain in a manner likely to cause obstruction on a public road for longer than is necessary for loading or unloading or for taking on or setting down passengers;

(7)fails to repair or demolish a building or structure in a dangerous or dilapidated condition, after having received written instructions from the local authority to do so;

(8)fails to clean or repair a furnace or smoke-chimney of a house, workshop or factory;

(9)sets off fireworks on a public road where they are likely to cause damage or inconvenience;

(10)causes a noise or uproar that disturbs the public peace.

Refusal to Render Assistance [a/381] [5726]§

491.

One who refuses to render assistance that it is within his power to render, when required to do so by a public officer in the presence of an offence being committed, or of a wrecked ship or a fire, flood, earthquake or any other public disaster, is liable to one month's imprisonment.

Offences by Hotel Keepers [a/383] [5726]§

492.

The keeper of a hotel or inn who fails to display at night a lantern or light on his premises in accordance with the Regulations in force at that time, or who fails to maintain a register of guests or lodgers, or who fails to produce the register to a police officer for inspection upon request, is liable to one month's imprisonment.

Cultivation of Land Adjacent to a Public Road [a/384] [5726]§

493.

One who sows, plants or cultivates land situated within seventy-five centimetres of the outer edge of a public road without authorisation is liable to one month's imprisonment; for the purposes of this section, the boundary of a public road is regarded as extending to the outer edge of a channel, drain or embankment alongside it.

Entry onto Agricultural Land [a/385, 385a] [1944, 5728]§

494.

(a)One who does any of the following, and is unable to prove lawful authorisation or justification, is liable to six months' imprisonment or a fine as referred to in section 61(a)(2):

(1)enters a garden, or land that is sown or prepared for sowing or that contains standing grain or grass sown for grazing, or remains in such a garden or land;

(2)causes an animal to enter a garden or land as referred to in paragraph (1) or land that had been cultivated within the twelve months preceding the entry, or to remain there, or allows an animal belonging to him or in his possession to enter or remain as aforesaid.

(b)Where an animal entered land prepared for crops or containing crops and caused damage to the land, to the crops or to anything prepared for the purposes of growing crops, or entered land held for grazing and grazed thereon — the owner of the animal or the person holding it is liable to three months' imprisonment or a fine as referred to in section 61(a)(2), unless he proved to the satisfaction of the court that he took reasonable measures to prevent its entry as aforesaid.

495.§

(Repealed — תשנ״ד)

Disclosure of Professional Secrets [a/387] [5726]§

496.

One who discloses confidential information communicated to him in the course of his profession or trade, which is not an official secret within the meaning of Section E of Chapter VII, and who is not required to disclose it by virtue of law, is liable to six months' imprisonment.

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Chapter XIV: Preparatory Offences and Conspiracy

Preparation of an Offence with Dangerous Materials [a/32]§

497.

One who makes, or knowingly possesses, an explosive, or a machine, device or any thing that is dangerous or harmful, with intent to commit a felony or misdemeanour therewith or to enable another person to commit a felony or misdemeanour therewith, is liable to three years' imprisonment.

Providing Means for the Commission of a Felony [a/33a] [5733]§

498.

(a)One who gives another person tools, materials, money, information or any other means, knowing that the thing may serve, directly or indirectly, to commit a felony or to facilitate its commission, is liable to three years' imprisonment.

(b)For the purposes of this Section it is immaterial whether the thing was given permanently or temporarily, for consideration or without consideration, and whether a felony was committed or not.

(c)Nothing in the provisions of this Section shall derogate from the provisions of the other Sections of this Chapter and from the provisions of Chapters IV and V and sections 260 to 262, but shall add thereto.

Conspiracy to Commit a Felony or Misdemeanour [a/34, 35]§

499.

(a)One who conspires with another to commit a felony or misdemeanour, or to commit outside Israel an act that would constitute a felony or misdemeanour had it been committed in Israel and that is also an offence under the laws of that place, is liable —

(1)if the offence is a felony — to seven years' imprisonment or to the punishment prescribed for that offence, whichever is the lesser punishment;

(2)if the offence is a misdemeanour — to two years' imprisonment or to the punishment prescribed for that offence, whichever is the lesser punishment.

(b)A conspirator shall bear criminal liability also for an offence for the commission of which the conspiracy was formed or that was committed in furtherance of its purpose, only if the conspirator was a party to its commission under Section B of Chapter V.

Conspiracy for Other Purposes [a/36]§

500.

One who conspires with another for any of the following purposes is liable to two years' imprisonment:

(1)to prevent or frustrate the execution or enforcement of any law;

(2)to cause injury to the body or good name of a person;

(3)to bring about a reduction in the value of a person's property;

(4)to prevent or obstruct a person from freely and lawfully transferring his property at its proper value;

(5)to injure a person in his trade or profession;

(6)to prevent or obstruct a person from freely and lawfully engaging in his trade, profession or work, provided that the act would have constituted an offence had it been done by an individual;

(7)to achieve a prohibited purpose;

(8)to achieve a lawful purpose by prohibited means.

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Chapter XV: Miscellaneous Provisions

501.§

(Repealed — תשמ״ב־3)

Order Regarding Possession of Real Property [a/388a] [1946]§

502.

(a)Where a person has been convicted under sections 189 or 447 and the court is satisfied that by the act of the offence a person was dispossessed of real property, the court may issue an order to remove the offender from that real property, or an order to restore possession of the real property to the person who was dispossessed thereof or to another person whom the court considers entitled thereto, or both orders together; such an order shall be executed in the manner in which a judgment given in civil proceedings is executed.

(b)For the purposes of subsection (a) —

(1)a determination that a person does not bear criminal liability by reason of insanity or a defect in his intellectual capacity under section 19 shall be deemed a conviction;

(2)no appeal shall lie against an order except in conjunction with and as part of an appeal against the conviction if there was one, and it shall be heard by the court hearing the appeal against the conviction; no appeal whatsoever shall lie against a refusal to issue an order;

(3)the filing of an appeal against an order shall not stay the execution of the order unless the court against whose decision the appeal is brought or the appellate court otherwise directs; an application to stay execution of the order shall be submitted first to the court against whose decision the appeal is brought;

(4)an order shall not prejudice any right or interest in the real property in question that is enforceable by civil action.

Supervision of a Child Whose Guardian Has Been Convicted or Charged [a/389]§

503.

(a)Where a person having supervision of a child who has not yet reached the age of sixteen years has been convicted of or brought to trial for an offence against the child under Sections VIII or X of Chapter VIII or Sections B, E or F of Chapter X or under section 2 of the Marriage Age Law, 5710-1950, the court that convicted the person or before which the person was brought to trial may, if it considers it expedient to do so, order that the child be placed under the supervision of a relative or of a suitable person or institution, to be specified in the order and consenting, to the satisfaction of the court, to assume such supervision, until the child reaches the age of sixteen years or for a shorter period, all with regard to the religion of the child's parents.

(b)If the child has a parent or legal guardian, the order under subsection (a) shall not be made unless the parent or guardian has been convicted of or brought to trial for an offence under the provisions referred to in subsection (a), or it has been proved to the satisfaction of the court that the parent or guardian was a party to the offence by act or intention, or the parent or guardian cannot be found.

(c)If a person is acquitted of the charge by reason of which the order was made, or if the charge is withdrawn by reason of discontinuance of the prosecution, the order is immediately void in all respects except as regards what has already been lawfully done thereunder.

(d)For the purposes of the Youth (Care and Supervision) Law, 5720-1960, an order under this Section shall have the same effect as a decision under that Law; if the court is of the opinion that the making of an order under this Section admits of delay, it shall refer the matter to the court competent under that Law.

Commencement§

504.

This version shall commence on the 24th day of Adar Bet 5738 (2 April 1978).

Special Provision [XIII/12] [5737]§

505.

Notwithstanding the provisions of section 504, Section B of Chapter X shall commence on the 2nd day of Adar Alef 5738 (9 February 1978) or on an earlier date fixed by the Minister of Health by notice in Reshumot (Official Gazette), and until its commencement the provisions of sections 175 and 177 of the Criminal Law Ordinance, 1936, shall continue to apply.

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First Schedule (Section 49(f))

Second Schedule (Section 186(b) and (c))

1.§

Educational institutions: kindergarten, primary school, Talmud Torah, middle school, secondary school, supplementary education institution, children's holiday camp, youth culture and sports centre, boarding school, institution of higher education, and any other institution in which education is provided.

2.§

Eating establishment: restaurant, café, pub and any similar place.

3.§

Club or discotheque.

4.§

A place where games are played by means of machines, billiards, cards, dice and the like.

5.§

Sports grounds, stadiums and any other place where sports competitions are held.

6.§

A place where theatre, cinema, music, dance or similar performances are held.

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Penal Law, 5737-1977

Section C: Stamps

Definitions§Cite ✦

Installing a Device for Making Stamps [a/371]§Cite ✦

Making and Preparation in Counterfeiting Postage Stamps [a/372]§Cite ✦

Device for Making Seals [a/373]§Cite ✦

Chapter XIII: Minor Offences

Refusal to Accept Coin at Face Value [a/370] [5726]§Cite ✦

Street Offences [a/380] [5726]§Cite ✦

Refusal to Render Assistance [a/381] [5726]§Cite ✦

Offences by Hotel Keepers [a/383] [5726]§Cite ✦

Cultivation of Land Adjacent to a Public Road [a/384] [5726]§Cite ✦

Entry onto Agricultural Land [a/385, 385a] [1944, 5728]§Cite ✦

Disclosure of Professional Secrets [a/387] [5726]§Cite ✦

Chapter XIV: Preparatory Offences and Conspiracy

Preparation of an Offence with Dangerous Materials [a/32]§Cite ✦

Providing Means for the Commission of a Felony [a/33a] [5733]§Cite ✦

Conspiracy to Commit a Felony or Misdemeanour [a/34, 35]§Cite ✦

Conspiracy for Other Purposes [a/36]§Cite ✦

Chapter XV: Miscellaneous Provisions

Order Regarding Possession of Real Property [a/388a] [1946]§Cite ✦

Supervision of a Child Whose Guardian Has Been Convicted or Charged [a/389]§Cite ✦

Commencement§Cite ✦

Special Provision [XIII/12] [5737]§Cite ✦

First Schedule (Section 49(f))

Second Schedule (Section 186(b) and (c))

Definitions§

Installing a Device for Making Stamps [a/371]§

Making and Preparation in Counterfeiting Postage Stamps [a/372]§

Device for Making Seals [a/373]§

Refusal to Accept Coin at Face Value [a/370] [5726]§

Street Offences [a/380] [5726]§

Refusal to Render Assistance [a/381] [5726]§

Offences by Hotel Keepers [a/383] [5726]§

Cultivation of Land Adjacent to a Public Road [a/384] [5726]§

Entry onto Agricultural Land [a/385, 385a] [1944, 5728]§

Disclosure of Professional Secrets [a/387] [5726]§

Preparation of an Offence with Dangerous Materials [a/32]§

Providing Means for the Commission of a Felony [a/33a] [5733]§

Conspiracy to Commit a Felony or Misdemeanour [a/34, 35]§

Conspiracy for Other Purposes [a/36]§

Order Regarding Possession of Real Property [a/388a] [1946]§

Supervision of a Child Whose Guardian Has Been Convicted or Charged [a/389]§

Commencement§

Special Provision [XIII/12] [5737]§