Israel does have a sex offender registry, but it is not public. The registry is maintained by the Israel Police and is accessible only to law enforcement officials and certain government agencies. The registry was established in 2005 by the Israeli Knesset (parliament) as part of the Sexual Harassment and Assault Law.
The reason why the registry is not public in Israel is due to concerns about privacy and the potential for vigilantism. In some countries where public sex offender registries exist, there have been cases of individuals being harassed or targeted by community members, even after they have served their sentences or completed rehabilitation programs. This has led to concerns that public registries could be counterproductive, as they may discourage sex offenders from seeking treatment or reintegrating into society.
Israel has a system of notification that allows law enforcement to notify relevant parties, such as schools or youth organizations if a sex offender is living or working in their area. This notification system is intended to help protect vulnerable populations while respecting the offender’s privacy and rights.
It’s worth noting that the issue of public sex offender registries is complex and controversial, with arguments both for and against their use. Ultimately, deciding whether to establish a public registry is a matter for lawmakers and the public to debate and decide based on their values and priorities.
