The number of registered cases of violence in Israel decreased by 8% during the war between Israel and Hamas, but experts warn that this phenomenon is temporary. After the end of hostilities, a sharp increase in the number of applications is expected, presumably due to delays in filing applications during the war, The Jerusalem Post writes .
According to a report by the Knesset Research and Information Centre, in 2023, about 70,000 cases were opened against victims of violent crimes, 51% of whom were men and 49% were women. However, in the context of sexual violence, women accounted for 80% of the victims.
Characteristics of victims and contexts of violence
Women were victims in 46 per cent of cases of physical violence and threats, while men were more likely to report violence outside the home (61 per cent). In contrast, 56 per cent of domestic violence cases involved women.
Arab women account for 24 per cent of victims of violent crime – more than their percentage in the population. Almost half of the women who reported violence to the police suffered from domestic violence, either from their partner or another family member.
Decrease in the number of applications
The war has had a significant impact on the statistics of applications. According to the Ministry of Social Security, the number of applications for domestic violence decreased by 21% compared to last year, and cases of intimate partner violence decreased by 25%. The number of women seeking asylum also decreased.
However, representatives of the ministry stress that these figures do not reflect a real decrease in the level of violence, but only demonstrate a drop in the number of reports in wartime.
“We expect the number of applications to increase dramatically after the war ends. Now the shelters are not fully filled, but this is a temporary trend. The only thing that has increased is the number of murders, which indicates that the real decline is only in reports, not in the actual cases of violence,” the ministry spokesman said.
Social and economic vulnerability of women
The Knesset Committee on the Status of Women discussed grants for women who leave their homes because of violence. Currently, these funds are not enough to pay for rent, forcing many women to return to their abusers.
“The economic situation is very critical. Many women are returning to violent partners because of financial difficulties. Where is the ministry’s role in addressing this issue?” asked Simon Davidson, a member of the Yesh Atid party.
The ministry’s director, Innon Aaroni, replied that their approach is focused on long-term support rather than one-off payments. However, the committee’s chairperson, Pnina Tameno-Shete, called for grants to be provided to enable women to cover the cost of renting a home.
Particular attention was paid to the new programme of the Ministry of National Security, which simplifies access to weapons. MPs warned that this could pose a threat to women if weapons fall into the hands of potential abusers.
Experts and activists emphasise that the fight against violence requires a comprehensive approach, including economic support, access to housing and strict control over the circulation of weapons.
