Israel Police Delay 2025 Crime Statistics Report Ahead of Elections

Nine months after the end of 2025, the Israel Police's annual statistical yearbook, which details crime data and other operational information, has yet to be published. This delay is unusual, as such reports are typically released within a few months of the year's end, usually by August.

The yearbook is a comprehensive document that includes crime statistics, analyses, trends, and comparisons to previous years across various areas of police activity. It covers citizen calls to emergency numbers, public service experiences, road accidents, volunteer numbers, human resources, budget, recruitment, reported crime, and specific offense categories like sexual offenses against minors, drug and weapons offenses, and traffic violations. It also includes data on agricultural crime and international comparisons, as well as police goals and staffing levels.

The delay has raised questions, particularly given the public criticism the police have faced regarding transparency in recent years. The publication of the report is seen as crucial for allowing the public, government officials, and lawmakers to systematically review the police's performance and priorities.

Politically, the timing of the report's release is significant. With elections approaching, the data could influence public perception of the police's effectiveness during the preceding period and potentially impact the evaluation of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir's tenure. While the police do sometimes release raw data online, it is often difficult for the public to interpret.

When contacted, the police stated that the 2025 statistical yearbook is currently undergoing approval processes and is expected to be published in the coming weeks. They assured that once internal approvals are complete, the yearbook will be released through the appropriate platforms.