Israeli State Wins Record 1.5 Billion Shekels in Civil Cases in 2025
In 2025, the Israeli state achieved an unprecedented financial victory in civil litigation, securing approximately 1.5 billion shekels to be funneled into the state treasury. This data, released by the Civil Enforcement Unit of the State Attorney's Office, highlights a historic settlement with the Teachers' Funds, which alone accounts for 1.05 billion shekels. Excluding this settlement, other civil case wins surged over fourfold compared to 2024, reaching about half a billion shekels versus 120 million shekels the previous year.
The year also saw a 25% increase in initiated civil enforcement proceedings, totaling 413 cases with claims around 760 million shekels, continuing a rising trend from prior years. Notably, there was a 66% rise in civil enforcement actions linked to criminal proceedings, aimed at undermining the economic incentives of organized crime. Additionally, over 40% more cases involved state assets, including public land restitution and protecting public funds.
The Civil Enforcement Unit, led by Deputy State Attorney Eitan Lederer and directed by Attorney Osnat Dafna, has shifted from defensive to proactive litigation, collaborating with government ministries and regulators. The landmark Teachers' Funds case, initiated in 2022, ended with a November 2025 settlement approved in April 2026, requiring the funds to pay 1.05 billion shekels to the state for pension rights, with payments expected by 2027.
Other notable 2025 actions include a 159 million shekel lawsuit against the Agur Fund of the Teachers' Organization for pension over-accumulation, negligence claims against a cybersecurity service provider, and efforts to combat organized crime infiltration in state tenders. The unit also successfully challenged illegal land expropriation and won a Supreme Court ruling allowing the state to sue Volkswagen and Bosch for over 500 million shekels in environmental damages related to the "Dieselgate" emissions scandal.
Attorney Dafna emphasized the unit's role as a legal advocate for government bodies to reclaim public assets and enforce laws, including using intelligence to exclude criminal elements from state contracts and security licenses. The unit's proactive approach and strategic litigation have significantly bolstered the state's financial and legal standing in civil matters during 2025.
