Rights8/31/2026

Arrests of Youths of Ethiopian Descent Are Rising Faster Than the Number of Indictments

From January through July 2026, 85 minors of Ethiopian descent were arrested in Israel—about 104% more than during the corresponding period in 2022. However, the overall data show that the rise in the number of arrests is considerably outpacing the rise in the number of indictments.

Key facts

•85 youths of Ethiopian descent arrested: January–July 2026
•Increase in arrests of this group from 2022 to 2025: 77%
•Increase in arrests of all minors: 35%
•Increase in the number of indictments: 13.2%
•Decrease in the number of investigations opened: 5%
•The data were obtained under the Freedom of Information Law

What the Data Showed

The number of minors of Ethiopian descent who were arrested rose from 71 in 2022 to 126 in 2025, an increase of 77%. During the same period, the number of minors arrested across Israel grew by 35%—from 3,678 to 4,958. Among people of Ethiopian descent of all ages, the increase was about 10%, meaning that the especially sharp rise is concentrated specifically among minors.

More Arrests, Fewer Cases

Between 2022 and 2025, the total number of indictments grew by 13.2%—from 30,032 to 33,995—while the total number of people arrested grew by 33%. At the same time, police opened 5% fewer investigations: the number fell from 155,620 to 148,227. These figures do not prove that any particular arrests were unlawful, but they raise questions about their necessity and proportionality.

Differences Between Population Groups

According to the report, an arrest was made in about 60% of cases in the police category of “non-Jews,” which includes Arab citizens of Israel and foreign nationals; among Jews, the rate was about 20%. The number of people arrested in the first category grew by 41%—from 31,869 to 45,044—while among Jews it grew by 16%, from 16,452 to 19,195. The Freedom of Information Movement, which obtained the data from the police, believes these differences indicate the possibility of discriminatory use of arrests.

Possible Reasons and the Police Response

Police sources linked the increase, among other things, to the “Bereshit” program, under which police stations are assigned quantitative arrest targets. The report also cited the rise in violent crime and increased arrests of Palestinians without residence permits, who accounted for 22% of all those arrested in 2025. An internal police review identified five “red” stations where prejudice against youths of Ethiopian descent exists; in June, the police approved an engagement with an external company for 150,000 shekels to work with the officers.

What this means for you

For an ordinary person, an arrest in itself does not mean that an indictment will subsequently be filed. The published data make it possible to demand greater transparency regarding arrest criteria and an examination of possible unequal treatment of different population groups. The source does not report a judicial decision or a change in the law on this matter.

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