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Israel Expands Victims’ Role in Parole Decisions
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New Regulations Grant Victims Direct Access to Parole Boards
New regulations signed by Justice Minister Yariv Levin and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir will allow victims of sexual and violent offenses to address parole boards in person or in writing before a prisoner’s early-release request is decided. The rules, slated to take effect in December, give victims the option to explain how an offender’s release could threaten their safety and set clear deadlines for submitting those statements.
Legislative Background and Prior Rights
The change implements provisions of legislation approved by the Knesset in June 2025, a bill introduced by MK Chili Tropper and other lawmakers. Under the 2001 Crime Victims’ Rights Law, victims could already submit written views on parole risk, but they had no enforceable right to appear before the board. The 2025 law added the option of oral testimony and required parole boards to weigh victims’ safety concerns alongside other factors such as inmate conduct and rehabilitation prospects.
Official Government Rationale
Levin framed the regulations as a “moral obligation” of the justice system, arguing that they make victim participation more accessible while protecting safety and privacy. Ben-Gvir described the policy as shifting the balance toward “more protection for victims” and “less rights for criminals,” emphasizing that victims’ voices must be heard before release decisions.
Procedural Details and Limits
A victim who wishes to speak must notify the board’s secretariat in writing at least 21 days before the hearing; a written statement must generally be filed seven days prior. The form allows victims to request that their identifying contact details be withheld, though written submissions may still be shown to prisoners under existing guidance. The law does not permit postponing a hearing solely to accommodate oral testimony if the inmate has already served two-thirds of the sentence or would have done so by the new date. Victims handled by a separate administrative unit for shorter sentences retain only the right to submit written views.
Anticipated Impact on Victims and the Justice System
The regulations respond to years of complaints from victims who felt unheard during parole proceedings, including a survivor of convicted sex offender Alon Kastiel who highlighted difficulties obtaining permission to speak. By granting an enforceable right to appear before decision-makers, the government aims to strengthen victims’ influence without granting them veto power over parole outcomes, potentially increasing perceived fairness and safety for those affected by violent crimes.