israel knife carry laws

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Does anyone know if there is a lenght restriction to carrying a knife in israel? Can you even carry a knife there? I'm going there soon and was wondering if I could a knife with me.


thanks a bunch for the info
 
dont civilians in israel carry rifles and other guns around with them for self defense?
 
Normally, I would say that google is your friend, but in this case there isn't much. There is a post in the Spyderco forum that says the maximum length is 100mm and the blade can't lock. (Slip joint) Also, the blade has to be "friendly" looking, so leave your tactical knife at home.

I also found this, but it's in Hebrew.

http://www.sakin.co.il/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=12
 
I did see that post in teh spyderco forums but idk how accurate it is. there doesn't seem to be any info on the web at all. Perhaps there is no laws for knifes there?




UffDa said:
Normally, I would say that google is your friend, but in this case there isn't much. There is a post in the Spyderco forum that says the maximum length is 100mm and the blade can't lock. (Slip joint) Also, the blade has to be "friendly" looking, so leave your tactical knife at home.

I also found this, but it's in Hebrew.

http://www.sakin.co.il/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=12
Click to expand...
 
Esav Benyamin said:
Let's wait for an Israeli to post about it before deciding that. :)
Click to expand...

Fine.. if I must ;)

The Israeli law about knife carry is a little confusing but you have some room to play around with.
here goes:

1. Non locking folding knives are legal for carry with a blade length of no more then 100mm (4 inches). They are illegal for carry in buildings of government and certain public places such as restaurants, stadiums and movie theaters. The law is not entirely specific on the list of places but generally speaking it is wise to avoid carrying in places of high security or declare that you are carrying. If you're going to any sporting event or to a government building leave your knife in the car / hotel / home. If you're entering a central bus or train station it's best to have the knife in a bag, if your bag gets searched and the knife is found (not so likely) it is legal for you to have it if you have a legitimate reason. As you may have guessed, SD is NOT a legitimate reason, but you can say it's was a gift, or that you just bought it and taking it home, or going to sell it, or going to work with it and so on and you'll be fine. If you don't have a bag on you and the knife is in your pocket, tell the security guard that you have it, show it to them and explain the reason you have it. in 99% of cases they'll let you go with no problems.

2. Fixed blades and locking blades are legal for carry with a blade length of up to 100mm and ONLY if you have a legitimate reason. This is a difficult law because if caught with the knife it's not for you to decide if your reason for carry is legal. Some are obvious, if you're a carpenter and on the job with a knife in your tool belt you're fine but if you're just carrying on the street you might have a tough time explaining.

Generally speaking, if you carry responsibly there's no reason anyone will ever know you have a knife, however, most places in Israel have security at the entrance (banks, malls, shopping centers, bus stations, train stations and so on) and they can legally search you, if you look and behave like a reasonable well mannered individual they'll most likely not even blink at you and you can have what you want on you. If you don't, be ready to start explaining.

Anyway, to conclude I'll say this. The Israeli law about knife carry is, sadly, quite vague and has too much room individual decisions to be made by an officer or judge. The best advise I can probably offer you is to carry either a SAK or a multitool in Israel simply because they extremely wide spread here (you'll see a lot of people with Leathermans in their belts) and usually very acceptable.
You can carry a knife, just know the limitations. I hope this helped and sorry if this was confusing :o
 
This is for Visitors to Israel

Isreal is not a knife carrying culture

The law is the discrestion of the 'arresting' officer.
Anything is offensive when they decide so.
If it looks 'bad' or tactical, it is bad!
You NEVER ever carry a knife for SD.

As IV says a Leatherman, a SAK, a pen-knife slippy, or keychain knife.
Fixed blade is a great way to quickly see the inside of a holding cell

Four fingers is the working measurement.
Legally it might be 10 cm but the guard, cop or anyone else does not know that.

In Israel, you will be going thru more security in one day than you do for a year in the US.
From wandings at the Coffee shop to full screens in official buildings.
Do NOT take a knife thru places that have full doorway screens
They will not be pleased to find a knife.

Do you need to carry a knife??

Why are you carrying a knife?
If you are asked why you are carrying a knife it is for "Picnics"
"Piknix" is a word entered into local slang, and you will be understood that you need this knife for eating and cutting food

Good luck!
 
i didn't go through the post, so if someone answered alredy, ignore me :)

i live in israel, and i carry a handgun with a permit.

you are not allowed to carry a locking blade (regardless of length) unless you can prove a good reason to the police officer (self defense dont cut it) punishable up to 3 years in jail. that's the law. non locking blades will also be a problem. in any case, the knife will not be released.

same goes for folding battons, kobutans and stuff.

also, and more problematic - every mall, supermarket or store has a metal detector and they will find your knife. some places (train station for example) even have an x-ray.

even i, with the gun permit am not allowed to carry a knife, and get annoyed about my letherman from time to time...

my advice: if you must, carry a letherman or other such tool (not SAK). prefferably in a bag and not on your body.
 
so wait, you can have a handgun but not a knife? crazyiness! Meh I guess I wont bring anything, it seems like it's not worth it at all (3 years in an israel jail does not sound like fun at all!).
 
I made Aliyah back in 2008, and brought a Benchmade folder with me. I had no idea as to the legality of knives, or indeed possession/carry of any weapons in Israel, other than it might be "tough" to get a gun as a civillian.

So here's what I experienced during my most recent two year visit:

Shortly after making Aliyah, I had to go to the Ministry of the Interior to file some paperwork to begin receiving my "Kalanut" -- Aliyah funds. I had my Benchmade folder on me (with a partially serrated edge, I think the blade was 4in., but I don't still have the knife); simply in my pocket. As I approached the building I saw all the security and that made me think, so I pulled it out and asked my Israeli friend: "Hey... is this going to be a problem?"

He freaked...

But it wasn't!

He said: "You aren't supposed to have that in Israel." AND, turns out; he is technically correct, but I wasn't about to toss it in the garbage (my mom gave it to me), so I just walked right up to the security guard at the metal detector and handed her the knife. I apologized for having it, said I "didn't know it was illegal," and she laughed, smiled, and told me she'd give it back to me when I left... and she did, happily. No problems.

However, generally speaking, NO: As a private citizen, tourist, resident-alien, or regular local, you are NOT allowed to carry ANY knives on your person at all.

You will find, as with all things in Israel: There isn't really any uniform way in which laws, policies, or whatever, are enforced; and so in this case it REALLY is up to the cop you're dealing with... in fact it's always up to the cop you're dealing with. He might let you go, he might beat the hell out of you, and/or you might get to spend some time in one of Israel's scary-as-hell jails, or even worse: actual prison; so DO be very careful about dealing VERY nicely with ANY military, or local L.E.O.'s you might encounter whilst in posession of a knife. That is critical: Be polite, respectful, explain that you're "new to the country" and that you "didn't know," and apolgize. Try not to appear overly nervous or edgy, as Israeli security is heavily trained to detect that, and will respond with agression if they feel you're wilfully hiding something, or making any attempt at evading them in the course of their duly appointed duty for the public safety. And as always: Act very humbly. 95% of the time if you do this, the cop will simply let you go; and might even let you keep you knife, depending on the type.

Now, with that said: FIXED BLADE DAGGERS or DIRKS are NEVER a good idea to carry in Israel, not at all. They will attract attention 100% of the time and you will be questioned about it, and probably arrested or at least detained for a good, long while; and that's never any fun. Even if you're in the Army, you can't just go adding whatever you like to your uniform, especially at the lower ranks, so all you soon-to-be I.D.F. people: Don't think you can bring your "Scout Recon Tactical Fighter" and just clip it to your belt: If a M.P. sees you (and they will, at the bus stops or malls, etc); you WILL be written up (court martial) and you will be in semi-serious trouble.

Getting the knife IN the country, as has been said, isn't really hard. It's getting it back out without going to jail that's the problem, and yeah: The security at Ben Gurion is the tightest in the world: Don't bet on simply packing anything like a fixed blade in your checked luggage and getting on the plane. A small folder you *might* be able to explain away, but there's a 99% chance it will be found before you depart and you will be seriously questioned about it. My advice: Don't bring anything to Israel you aren't completely prepared to leave there.

Looking the part, again and as has been said, is important. If you look like a thug, and/or are found in a bad area with a reputation for crime, late at night and happen to be carrying a knife, you very well may be in serious trouble: It's all up to the cop.

If you are a nerdy American-Jewish kid (Star Wars Tee-Shirts help a lot), and you are obviously very nice and not intending to run around stabbing people, provided that you don't pull it out except to save your life or in some private area (like a Kibbutz or Moshav); you will be ok with most folders. However, AUTOMATICS of ANY KIND, GRAVITY KNIVES, Spring-blades, Ballisong, Switchblades, Air-gauge knives, Assisted-Openers, Shobi-Zue, Cane Swords, Ceramics, or any other kind of concealed/disguised blade, will land you in SERIOUS trouble. Regular, locking folders with a blade no longer than 4.5 inches should be ok, not strictly "legal", but ok. Additonally, it is absolutely forbidden to be found in posession of any of the following in Israel: Ballistic knives, nunchaku, metal knuckles, shuriken (throwing stars), as well as the non-toy replica versions of all these, including old military surplus items like decommissioned hand grenades, etc. If it looks like an offensive weapon, and you bring it into public, and are not in fact a member of law enforcement or the Army, no matter if it's concealed or unconcealed; you are in fact guilty of a crime in Israel.

Generally speaking the cops in Tel-Aviv, Jerusalem, Haifa, etc, especially around the larger commerical centers, government buildings, and major places with lots of people like shopping malls and the cinema; are going to be less understanding about your knife than a rural, northern Israel cop would... but that's not "science", that's just my impression.

If you are busted in Israel with a knife, this is one time when speaking English, or flashing a California Driver's License, will help you out a lot! Don't attempt to speak Hebrew in that situation; use pefect English and give the officer your American, or foriegn ID as well as your local ID, and remain apologetc, sincere, compliant, and respectful. Remember: The Israeli Police aren't out there looking for YOU with your Benchmade; they have much bigger fish to fry, so don't agitate them and you'll do fine. They don't like busting Westerners over petty things, as they know this "turns people off", and they really aren't trying to do that; so "be cool" and you should be ok. Always remember to keep indentification on you at all times while in Israel, as that is in fact the law and is taken fairly seriously. And if you're found with no I.D. and a knife, well: That doesn't look very good, and you will go to jail while they figure out who you in fact are. You must be able to account for yourself, and unlike in the U.S.; you don't really have the "right to remain silent." You don't have a lot of rights in Israel, so try not to become self-righteous and combative with the local authorities because you are, afterall, in their country. Politeness is King, and always remember to smile warmly and make good eye contact!

And now for guns:

I think you can own a shotgun for hunting purposes, with a permit of course, and I think it's got to be kept at your local hunting club, in a locker. No rifles of any kind are allowed to be owned by private citizens AT ALL, the only exception being if you live in one of the more hostile settlement areas, in which case you can apply for a permit to own a rifle, or a handgun, or both. There are, of course, heavy restrictions on the types of guns you may own, and the ammunition you may use, how much of it you may stockpile, etc, etc, etc. It's not easy to get a permit either, and Bureaucracy in Israel can be a real pain in the bum; so be prepared for a long and stressful application process.

Back to knives for a second:

Remember this: There are metal detectors ALL OVER Israel, and security is everywhere. Chances are, if you walk around with a knife; it will be discovered during the course of daily events as it's very easy to forget you've got it on you, especially if it's small and you're from America where carrying a knife is no big deal... So then you decide to take the train up North one day, and wander into the station; only to set off all sorts of alarms, bells, whistles, and create a lot of very unhappy and nervous security guards in the process. That will not be a fun day for you.

If you really need a knife with you in Israel, then bring a small locking folder, Leatherman, or Swiss Army Knife with a blade no longer than 4.5 inches, and just be prepared to have it taken away from you by some cranky (or greedy) cop. Don't bring a $2,000.00 custom job, because if I were an Israeli cop I'd take that from you in a second. :)

I guess the overall message is: It's not legal, but that doesn't practically mean a whole lot in Israel, so just be smart about it and don't play games with Israeli security personnel.

--DarthZimmeris

*Professional Japanese Tamahagane Steel Chef's Knives are probably ok to own without permits, but NEVER to carry, and you are certainly going to pay a hefty "luxury item tax" on them upon import to the country.
**I have no idea as to the legality of stun guns or pepper spray in Israel, however I can safely assume that these are not legal to posess either, and will land you in serious trouble if found on your person in public.
***Remember: If you are caught in the commission of a crime whilst in Israel, the Israeli Police have the absolute right to detain you in a holding cell, without questioning or chance of release, for up to 14 days. They also have the right to search your entire person, car, home, place of work, etc, without a warrant. And this applies equally to "suspicion of criminal activity", meaning if the police receive an anonymous tip that you have committed, or are about to commit a crime; they are completely empowered to detain, search, question, and arrest you.
 
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I don't remember there being a strict law about knife carry laws. I got both my CCC balisongs there, I'm not too sure about the carry laws, but you can buy pretty much anything.
 
I was there when I was twenty, in 1991.

I bought a Balisong at a bus station because I'd be hitchhiking and wanted to be able to defend myself.
Since I was standing in line for a Bank counter with five people in front of me packing heat, I just figured that a knife would probably be OK.
Stupid of course.

But the first time I hit heavy security with a metal detector, I panicked.
Suddenly it didn't seem so natural to be allowed to carry in a country with so many security problems.

So when I got to the gate, I politely and nervously informed the soldier that I had a knife on me.
He was like 'OK show me' and I had to pull out this insanely dangerous looking Balisong.
He kinda looked me over an told me to leave the knife with him.
When I left, he graciously handed it back to me with the words: 'Sir, your pocket knife'.

I left it in my bag after that.
 
its easy im sure you take your new knife to a rabbi, have him bless it than trim the tip a little.....
 
Israel is a mindless place carry a six inche screw driver .thats not as scary as a deadly swiss army knife god bless american laws at least they are clear i live here in israel and i hate this place more and more each day im here!
 
What about shipping knives to israel form the US. If you follow us customs will it be fine to ship internationally to israel?
 
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