Israel — Legal Help

If detained, ask for consular contact immediately — the US embassy is in Jerusalem (branch in Tel Aviv), UK, Canadian, Australian and most EU missions in Tel Aviv or Ramat Gan. Consuls can list lawyers and monitor treatment but cannot pay fines or intervene in cases. Age of consent is 16. Prostitution itself is not criminalised for the seller, but the 2018 Prohibition on Consumption of Prostitution Law (in force January 2020) criminalises the buyer with fines (~2,000 ILS first offence, doubling on repeat); pimping, brothel-keeping and solicitation remain criminal offences.

Cannabis was decriminalised for personal use under the 2019 reform — up to 15g draws a civil fine rather than arrest, though repeat offences escalate. Other recreational drugs remain criminal under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance with serious custodial exposure. Airport security screening on departure is intensive; do not carry anything ambiguous.