What criminal penalty applies to an Israeli employer who confiscates a foreign worker's passport?

Under Section 3 of the Foreign Workers Law 5751-1991, confiscating a foreign worker's passport, identity documents, or visa is a criminal offence in Israel. An employer convicted of passport confiscation faces imprisonment of up to 1 year and/or a substantial fine. The prohibition is absolute — it applies even if the employer claims the documents are held for "safekeeping" or as collateral for a loan. The Population and Immigration Authority (Rashut HaHagira VeHaKnisos) takes such complaints seriously and can refer cases to the Police for criminal investigation. Civil liability claims by workers whose freedom of movement was impaired are also recognized in the labor court system.

A foreign worker whose employer refuses to return their passport should contact Ministry of Labor inspectors, the Population and Immigration Authority, or the Hotline for Refugees and Migrants NGO, which provides emergency assistance. Courts have awarded compensation of 3–6 months' salary in civil claims where passport confiscation was combined with other labor rights violations. The criminal and civil routes can run simultaneously. For more detail, see Foreign Worker Rights in Israel: Labor Law Protections and Entitlements.