Reporting Steps
Racism is an affront to human dignity — and also a criminal offence under defamation law and the principle of equality. The Equal Rights Act (2000) and the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty protect every person from discriminatory conduct.
What counts as racism? Racism includes statements, writing, demonstrations, videos, harassment, exclusion from public spaces, and discriminatory service — all based on ethnic origin, nationality, skin colour, or religion.
Step 1 — Immediate documentation Document the incident immediately: date, time, exact location, witness names (if any), and any information about the perpetrator. If it is a video on social media — take a screenshot before it is removed. Do not delete anything.
Step 2 — Filing a complaint You may file a complaint with the Israel Police (charges: incitement to racism, insulting a public official, breach of equality). Complaints can be submitted at a local police station or through the government website.
Step 3 — Contact support organisations Tebeka — a rights organisation for the Ethiopian community — offers free legal advice and support in filing complaints. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) handles cases of systemic discrimination and can accompany you throughout the process.
Legal protection A complainant in good faith is protected from counter-suits. The Whistleblower Protection Act (2001) protects those who report offences. For racism by an employer — the Equal Opportunity in Employment Act (1988) allows recourse to the labour court.
Last reviewed: 2026-05-12
