Court ruling10/26/2026

Court Releases German Tourists Arrested Near Damon Prison

The Haifa Magistrate’s Court ordered the immediate release of two tourists from Germany who had been detained for two nights on suspicion of serious espionage offenses. The court found no evidence supporting the suspicions and noted that Israeli law does not prohibit photographing a prison from the outside.

Key facts

•Court: Haifa Magistrate’s Court
•Date of publication and decision: October 26, 2026
•Detainees: Two tourists from Germany, aged 57 and 55
•Length of detention: Two nights
•Decision: Immediate release without bail
•The case number is not stated in the source

The Arrest Near the Prison

Gerald Wolf Mundel, 57, and Joachim Oliver Lange, 55, were arrested in the evening near Damon Prison in the Carmel. Israel Prison Service personnel transferred them to the Nesher police station. The tourists were suspected of collecting secret information with the intent to harm state security and of providing information to the enemy. However, according to the report, the Israel Security Agency immediately determined that this was not espionage and left the investigation to the police.

Why the Court Released the Tourists

Judge Orit Kantor determined that the tourists had photographed the prison from the outside but found no prohibition against such photography under Israeli law. She also stated that she had found no evidence substantiating the suspicion and noted that, under these circumstances, discretion should have been exercised. The court ordered the immediate release of both men without posting bail.

Lifting the Gag Order

The first hearing was held behind closed doors and under a strict gag order. At the following hearing, the court granted the request of public defenders Bassam Kandalaft and Fares Brik and lifted the order because it found no grounds to keep it in effect.

Return of the Belongings and Vehicle

The court ordered officers at the Nesher police station to return the tourists’ personal belongings seized during the arrest, including their phones and belts. The police were then required to drive them to the car left near Damon Prison so that they could continue on their way. The tourists said they planned to leave Israel the following Sunday.

What this means for you

According to this decision, photographing a prison from the outside does not in itself constitute an offense if the law does not expressly prohibit it. When considering an extension of detention, the court must determine whether evidence actually supports the suspicion; in this case, no such evidence was found. The decision concerns the specific circumstances of this arrest and does not invalidate possible restrictions on photographing other secured facilities or closed areas.

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