Crime in the Coronavirus Pandemic: The Case of Israel

Abstract

Purpose – The study intends to determine the impact of the lockdowns during the COVID-19 on various categories of crime. It examines the issue of crime in Israel focusing on the crime patterns that evolve separately among Jews and Arabs.

Methodology/Approach – Using statistical data received from the Israeli police, the authors examined crime rates during the lockdown periods, compared to the same period three years before.

Findings – The findings in this study are in line with other studies, meaning that the impact of lockdowns on crime during the pandemic, especially on violence and domestic violence, is not conclusive. As far as severe violence is concerned, in the first lockdown the impact was more pronounced. However, the subsequent lockdowns produced less dramatic outcomes. A close examination of the data implies that during the lockdowns, the oscillations of violence rates were more noticeable among the Arab population.

Originality/Value – The effect of the lockdowns corroborated much of the findings in previous studies done in other countries. The findings follow the theory of routine activity and shaw that when life returned to normal also the crime patters returned to the old patterns. Furthermore, it seems that many subsequent lockdowns lose their effectiveness as people find ways to avoid some of the restrictions. In addition, also when some effect was noticed, it certainly is not very dramatic.

Citation

Fishman, G. and Rattner, A. (2023), "Crime in the Coronavirus Pandemic: The Case of Israel", Deflem, M. (Ed.) Crime and Social Control in Pandemic Times (Sociology of Crime, Law and Deviance, Vol. 28), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 73-85. https://doi.org/10.1108/S1521-613620230000028006