Thousands Arrested at Israeli Protests, Few Convicted
Translated & summarized from Zman Yisrael by baba
Since 2023, Israel has recorded 2,846 protest-related arrests, but only 94 indictments and two convictions have resulted. Arrest numbers have declined from 1,122 in 2023 to 196 by early 2026. The Zulat Institute argues this disparity suggests arrests are used punitively, potentially violating protest rights. The institute is urging political parties to commit to protecting freedom of assembly and re-evaluating post-arrest restrictions.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- 2,846 protesters were arrested in Israel since 2023, with only 94 indictments and two convictions.
- Arrests dropped from 1,122 in 2023 to 196 by early 2026.
- The Zulat Institute questions the proportionality of arrests, suggesting punitive use.
- CEO Einat Ovadyah called on political parties to protect freedom of protest.
- Post-arrest restrictions like exclusion from protest sites limit participation.
Since 2023, Israel has seen 2,846 arrests of demonstrators, with only a small fraction leading to indictments. Data from the "Detainee Support Network" reveals just 94 indictments, approximately 3.3% of arrests, and only two convictions to date. These figures were included in a letter sent by the Zulat Institute to leaders of six "change parties." Nearly 40%, around 1,100 arrests, occurred during the protests against the judicial overhaul and in the first year of the war. The remaining 1,700 arrests were spread across the period, including many related to the protests and the effort to free hostages in Gaza.
As the war progressed, the number of arrests decreased: from 1,122 in 2023 to 956 in 2024, 572 in 2025, and 196 by early 2026. The significant gap between arrests and indictments raises concerns about the proportionality of arrest usage, suggesting police may have used arrests as a punitive measure, infringing on freedom of protest and expression. The Detainee Support Network stated that most arrest grounds were broad offenses like disturbing the peace, unlawful assembly, and behavior that could disrupt public order. More serious charges like assaulting a police officer were documented in only 121 cases, about 8.5% of those with recorded arrest grounds.
Of the 94 indictments filed, only two have resulted in convictions so far. Seven cases led to acquittals, about 40 were resolved through conditional arrangements or dropped, and the rest are still ongoing. The Zulat Institute's CEO, Einat Ovadyah, urged the leaders of six "change parties" to commit to protecting freedom of protest in their platforms and future coalition agreements. She emphasized that criminal enforcement should not be used to deter or punish protesters and that arrest powers should only be used when legally justified and proportionate.
Ovadyah also highlighted that restrictions imposed after release, such as house arrest (47 documented cases), exclusion from protest sites (around 890 mentions), and financial guarantees (around 613 mentions), can significantly limit participation in protests. The Zulat Institute proposed practical steps, including canceling a police ordinance allowing intervention based on the content of symbols and expressions, replacing the current licensing regime with a notification requirement, ensuring municipal authorities do not restrict protests, and exempting protest noise from nuisance laws.