Car Thefts Decline in Israel, Central Region Most Affected

Approximately 40% of car thefts in Israel occur in the country's central region, according to reports from two vehicle tracking companies, Pointer and Ituran. Both companies noted a significant increase in the use of electronic systems to steal vehicles. Pointer reported a 20% decrease in thefts and attempted thefts recorded by their systems in the first nine months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. However, the third quarter of 2026 saw a 4% rise in incidents compared to the second quarter.

Pointer's data indicates shifts in vehicle types targeted: passenger cars accounted for 37% of thefts in Q3 2026, up from 33% in Q2, while SUVs and crossovers decreased from 35% to 30%. Motorcycles and scooters saw a slight increase from 23% to 25%. The proportion of electric vehicle thefts rose to 8% in Q3 from 7% in Q2, while hybrid vehicle thefts declined. Overall, gasoline and diesel vehicles constituted 79% of thefts in Q3.

Geographically, Tel Aviv and Petah Tikva each accounted for 17% of Pointer's recorded incidents in the third quarter, together making up over a third of the total. Jerusalem followed with 8%. Regionally, the Tel Aviv and central areas represented 40% of all cases, with the Shfela region at 21% and Sharon at 16%. The Sharon region saw the most significant increase in its share of reported thefts.

The most common method of theft, according to Pointer, was key duplication via electronic system connection, used in about 50% of cases. Other methods included replacing the car's computer (27%) and using wireless signal repeaters (9%). Ituran's report, based on a larger national sample, corroborated the prevalence of electronic system manipulation, stating 56% of thefts involved connecting to the OBD port for programming. Ituran also noted that 22% of thefts involved the perpetrator having the car key, and 10% involved physical break-ins. Most thefts occurred between 3:00 AM and 5:00 AM, five times more frequently than during daytime hours.

Ituran's geographical breakdown showed Gush Dan accounting for 41% of thefts, followed by Jerusalem and Modiin at 18%. The company identified Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Hebron as primary destinations for stolen vehicles. It also reported that 4% of stolen cars in their sample were stolen more than once.