חוק לתיקון פקודת סדר הדין הפלילי (מעצר וחיפוש) (מס' 19 - הוראת שעה), התשפ"ו-2026Law Amending the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Arrest and Search) (No. 19 – temporary provision), 2026 · automatic translation · suggest a correction

Official summary of the law (Knesset)

The Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Arrest and Search) regulates, among other things, police powers to conduct searches for the purpose of seizing evidence. In 2023, a temporary provision was established that expanded this power and allowed, in certain situations, conducting searches without a judge's warrant. Now, within the framework of the Law to Amend the Criminal Procedure Ordinance (Arrest and Search) (Amendment No. 19 – Temporary Provision), 2026, the arrangement is re-established as a temporary provision that will remain in effect until 30 June 2027. Under the arrangement, the police are authorized to conduct a search of a house or place without a judge's warrant, if a reasonable suspicion has recently arisen that it contains documentation or a camera that may serve as evidence for the commission of a serious crime (an offense punishable by ten years' imprisonment or more), or specific offenses, including extortion of protection money, extortion by threats, weapons offenses, or firing from a firearm. This power will be exercised only if failure to conduct the search immediately would thwart the purpose of the search, and a search warrant cannot be obtained due to the need to carry it out immediately in order to prevent the concealment or damage of the evidence. The exercise of the power is conditional on receiving prior written approval from a police officer with the rank of chief superintendent or higher, and the search will be documented in accordance with police procedures. The Law also establishes a parallel arrangement regarding searches conducted by a military police officer, with the necessary changes and subject to the approval of a military police officer with the rank of at least captain, holding the position of major. For the purpose of oversight and control, the Law anchors comprehensive periodic reporting obligations to the Knesset's National Security Committee, the Attorney General, the State Attorney, and the corresponding entities in the military, which will include, among other things, the number of approvals given for searches without a warrant, the offenses for which the approvals were given, the number of searches in which documentation or a camera was found, and the number of indictments filed following these searches.

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