Your rights, step by step
A street stop (עיכוב) is the most common police encounter reported by young Ethiopian-Israelis — the Palmor Committee and the State Comptroller documented over-policing of the community in exactly these situations. Knowing the rules in advance is the best protection.
What is a stop — and what may an officer do? Stops are governed by Chapter C of the Criminal Procedure (Enforcement Powers — Arrests) Law, 1996. An officer may detain a person only with **reasonable grounds to suspect** they committed or are about to commit an offense, or to clarify the identity and address of someone who can provide information about an offense. A stop is not an arrest.
What does the officer owe you? The officer must identify themselves — by name or official designation and as a police officer (in uniform — a visible name tag), tell you that you are being detained, and state the **reason for the stop** as soon as possible. It is fine to ask quietly: "Am I being detained? What is the reason?"
How long can a stop last? By law, a stop **may not exceed three hours**. At an event with many people involved, a senior officer may extend it by at most three more hours — and must record the reason. Anything longer exceeds the legal authority.
Do you have to go to the station? Taking you to the station as part of a stop is allowed only when the matter cannot be clarified on the spot. If asked to come along — ask whether you are being detained, why, and why it cannot be handled where you are.
How to behave during a stop Do not physically resist and do not run — even when the stop feels unjustified; resistance can itself become grounds for arrest. You are not required to volunteer information beyond identification — you have the right to silence, and what you say can be used against you. Memorize details: officer name or badge number, time, place, witnesses.
After a stop that seems unjustified Write down every detail immediately afterwards. Complaints about officer conduct go to the Police Internal Investigations Department (MAHASH) — directly, at a police station, or via the Ministry of Justice website; recommended within 6 months. Tebeka accompanies stop and ethnic-profiling cases free of charge — contact them early.
Stopped in the past and left with a record? The Expungement of Criminal and Police Records of Ethiopian-Israelis Law (2024) mandates automatic deletion of records for public-order offenses committed until 31.12.2020, for those not sentenced to actual imprisonment and with no additional record — check your eligibility in the expungement wizard.
Legal note: This is general information, not legal advice. For a concrete case, consult a lawyer or Tebeka.
Last reviewed: August 30, 2026