Israel

Detains migrants or asylum seekers?

Yes

Has laws regulating migration-related detention?

Yes

Detention Capacity

192

2021

Refugees

1,207

2022

Asylum Applications

25,166

2022

International Migrants

1,953,575

2020

Overview

(February 2011) Israel has experienced important increases in migration flows from Africa, which has spurred passage of a number of restrictive measures. These have included the creation of a specialised immigration force tasked with deporting irregular residents, proposals to build walls along its borders to stem "infiltrations" by "illegal workers," and construction of new detention facilities.

Types of facilities used for migration-related detention
Administrative Ad Hoc Criminal Unknown

19 October 2022 – Israel

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Israel has welcomed large numbers of Ukrainian and Russian Jews within the scope of its Law of Return. Its treatment of these groups, however, stands in stark contrast to that experienced by other refugees and asylum seekers–many of whom face detention and deportation. Most recently, the country’s Interior Ministry announced […]

Read More…

E. Moussa, “From Refugees to Settlers: How the Ukraine War is Helping Israel’s Demographic Project,” The New Arab, 28 March 2022, https://english.alaraby.co.uk/analysis/how-ukraine-war-helping-israels-demographic-project

30 November 2020 – Israel

The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) in early March 2020, after the discovery of seven cases in Bethlehem linked to a tourist group from Greece. In response, the Palestinian Authority declared a state of emergency, imposed a citywide lockdown, and enforced a curfew. Between March and June, there […]

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Magen David Adom Medical Workers at a Drive-Through Testing Site at the Entrance of an East Jerusalem neighbourhood on 2 April 2020, (Yonatan Sindel, Flash 90,

16 July 2020 – Israel

Prior to the Covid-19 crisis, large numbers of Palestinians travelled to work in Israel on a daily or weekly basis. However, due to fears that such travel could further spread the virus, Israel’s emergency regulations required Palestinian workers to remain in the country and prevented them from returning to the West Bank. (Authorities issued stay […]

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Palestinian Labourers Line Up to Enter Israel through the Mitar Checkpoint in the Occupied West Bank City of Hebron, (H. Bader, AFP,

04 June 2020 – Israel

After deconfinement began on 27 in Israel, new Covid infections increased sharply. However, the real number of infections in the country is difficult to assess because of fears amongst workers about the consequences of presenting themselves for testing. Migrant workers and asylum seekers appear to have a much higher infection rate than the rest of […]

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Migrant Workers in South Tel Aviv Queue to get Tested for Covid-19, (Negev Abbas,

12 April 2020 – Israel

Israel has implemented several measures impacting migrants and asylum seekers as well as prisoners. While one NGO, Hotline for Refugees and Migrants, has reported that they were been able to get some people released from immigration detention since the crisis began, the GDP has found no additional reports detailing what, if any, measures are being […]

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Volunteers with the African Refugee Development Center prepare to deliver food packages to African asylum seekers in south Tel Aviv, April 3, 2020. (ARDC / Times of Israel https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-african-migrants-in-israel-covid-19-means-health-jobs-homes-all-at-risk/)
Last updated: February 2011

DETENTION STATISTICS

Total Migration Detainees: Flow + Stock (year)
Not Available
2019
Alternative Migration Detainee Entries: Flow (year)
0
Average Daily Population (year)
0

DETAINEE DATA

Countries of Origin (Year)
Ukraine (Georgia) Russian Federation Thailand Moldova
2021
Total Number of Children Placed in Immigration Detention (Year)
0
2017

DETENTION CAPACITY

Total Immigration Detention Capacity
192
2021

ALTERNATIVES TO DETENTION

ADDITIONAL ENFORCEMENT DATA

PRISON DATA

Criminal Prison Population (Year)
20,245
2015
19,358
2013
Percentage of Foreign Prisoners (Year)
38.9
2014
Prison Population Rate (per 100,000 of National Population)
265
2015
249
2013

POPULATION DATA

Population (Year)
9,200,000
2023
8,700,000
2020
8,064,000
2015
7,700,000
2012
International Migrants (Year)
1,953,575
2020
1,956,346
2019
2,011,700
2015
2,046,900
2013
International Migrants as Percentage of Population (Year)
22.57
2020
24.9
2015
26.5
2013
Refugees (Year)
1,207
2022
1,191
2021
1,843
2020
16,107
2019
18,569
2018
25,473
2017
32,909
2016
32,946
2015
39,716
2014
48,325
2013
Ratio of Refugees Per 1000 Inhabitants (Year)
3.73
2016
5
2014
6.23
2013
6.54
2012
Asylum Applications (Year)
25,166
2022
9,444
2019
226
2014
2,593
2013
1,999
2012
Refugee Recognition Rate (Year)
100
2014
Stateless Persons (Year)
35
2022
42
2016
88
2015
10
2014
14
2013

SOCIO-ECONOMIC DATA & POLLS

Gross Domestic Product per Capita (in USD)
37,208
2014
47,400
2013
Remittances to the Country
1,475
2011
Remittances From the Country
3,739
2010
Unemployment Rate
2014
Human Development Index Ranking (UNDP)
18 (Very high)
2015
19 (Very high)
2014
Pew Global Attitudes Poll on Immigration
74
2013

MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION

Does the Country Detain People for Migration, Asylum, or Citizenship Reasons?
Yes
2023
Yes
2018
Does the Country Have Specific Laws that Provide for Migration-Related Detention?
Yes
2023
Yes
1952

GOVERNANCE SYSTEM

Legal Tradition(s)
Civil law
2017
Common law
2017
Jewish law
2017
Muslim law
2017

LEGAL & REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Detention-Related Legislation
Prevention of Infiltration (Offences and Jurisdiction) Law, 5714-1954, 8 LSI 133 (5714-1953/54). as amended (1954) 2014
1954
Law of Return 5710-1950 (1950) 1970
1950
Law No. 5712-1952, Entry into Israel Law (1952) 2017
1952
The Citizenship and Entry Into Israel Law (Temporary Provision) 5763-2003 (2003)
2003
The Law for the Prevention of Infiltration (1954) 2014
1954

GROUNDS FOR MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION

Criminal Penalties for Immigration-Related Violations
Yes (Yes)
1954
Grounds for Criminal Immigration-Related Incarceration / Maximum Length of Incarceration
Unauthorized re-entry (2555)
1954
Unauthorized entry (1825)
1954
Unauthorised stay (1825)
1954
Has the Country Decriminalised Immigration-Related Violations?
No
1954
Children & Other Vulnerable Groups
Accompanied minors (Provided) No
2016

LENGTH OF MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION

MIGRATION-RELATED DETENTION INSTITUTIONS

Custodial Authorities
(Interior Ministry) Interior or Home Affairs
2011
(Ministry of Interior) Interior or Home Affairs
2009
Detention Facility Management
Israel Prison Service (Governmental)
2016
Ministry of Interior (Governmental)
2016
Israel Prison Service (Governmental)
2011
Immigration Administration (Governmental)
2011
Israeli immigration police (Governmental)
2010
Immigration Police (Governmental)
2009
Israel Prison Service (Governmental)
2008
Immigration Administration (Governmental)
2003
Types of Detention Facilities Used in Practice
2015

PROCEDURAL STANDARDS & SAFEGUARDS

DETENTION MONITORS

> National human rights monitoring bodies

> National Preventive Mechanisms (Optional Protocol to UN Convetion against Torture)

> Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)

> Governmental monitoring bodies

> International detention monitoring

TRANSPARENCY

READMISSION/RETURN/EXTRADITION AGREEMENTS

COVID-19

HEALTH CARE

COVID-19 DATA

INTERNATIONAL TREATIES

International Treaties Ratified
Ratification Year
Observation Date
CRPD, Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
2012
2012
CTOCTP, Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children
2008
2008
ICCPR, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
1991
1991
ICESCR, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
1991
1991
CEDAW, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women
1991
1991
CAT, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
1991
1991
CRC, Convention on the Rights of the Child
1991
1991
ICERD, International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination
1979
1979
PCRSR, Protocol to the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
1968
1968
CRSSP, Convention Relating to the Status of Stateless Persons
1958
1958
CRSR, Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
1954
1954
Ratio of relevant international treaties ratified
Ratio: 11/19
Ratio of Complaints Procedures Accepted
Observation Date
0
2017
Relevant Recommendations Issued by Treaty Bodies
Recommendation Year
Observation Date
Committee against Torture 45. The State party should take the legislative and other measures necessary with a view to ensuring that the detention of persons entering its territory irregularly is only used as a last resort, when determined to be strictly necessary and proportionate in each individual case, and for as short a period as possible. 2016
2016
2018
Human Rights Committee

§20 […] (d) Ensure that the new legislation abolishes the system of automatic detention of asylum seekers and requires that in each case, detention is reasonable, necessary and proportionate in light of the circumstances, and reassessed as it extends in time

2014
2014
2014
Committee on the Rights of the Child

§70 […](d) Cease with immediate effect the detention of children on the basis of their immigration status; (e) Conduct individual assessments and evaluations of the best interests of the child at all decision stages of the migration process affecting children, and with the involvement of child protection professionals, the judiciary as well as children themselves. Primary consideration should also be given to the best interests of the child in any proceeding resulting in the child’s or their parents’ detention, return or deportation;

2013
2013
2013
Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination § 41. The State party: (a) Ensure that the refugee status determination procedure is in full compliance with the Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and that the process of application is fair and effective; (b) Amend the Law for the Prevention of Infiltration and any other relevant legislation in order to ensure that they do not stigmatize asylum seekers and are in line with the State party ’s international obligations ; (c) Consider abolishing the provisions that require employers to deduct a significant percentage of the salaries of employees falling under the Law for the Prevention of Infiltration, which further hampers their socioeconomic status and opportunities; (d) Ensure equal access to and quality education of children of asylum seekers, continue the establishment of educational institutions, including by increasing the number of public kindergartens, and put an end to the de facto segregated schooling system ; (e) Ensure adequate protection for all stateless persons and establish an effective mechanism to end statelessness among Bedouins. 2020
2020

NON-TREATY-BASED INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

Relevant Recommendations from the UN Universal Periodic Review
Observation Date
No 2009
2017
Yes 2013
2017

REGIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS MECHANISMS

DETENTION COSTS

OUTSOURCING

FOREIGN SOURCES OF FUNDING FOR DETENTION OPERATIONS