Jerusalem, 24 December, 2025 (TPS-IL) — Femicide cases in Israel jumped 48 percent in 2025, but new data released on Wednesday challenges the assumption that expanding gun licensing has contributed to the surge. The Israeli Observatory on Femicide at Hebrew University documented 34 women killed by men because of their gender last year, up from 23 in 2024. Another 10 women were murdered in criminal incidents, all in the Arab sector, bringing the total to 44 deaths.
However, the report found no link between licensed weapons and the surge, as illegal guns dominated the firearm deaths. Of 14 femicide cases involving firearms, 11 used illegal weapons—nearly all in the Arab sector. Only three involved licensed guns, typically owned by perpetrators working in security or law enforcement. Knives and other methods accounted for 20 additional deaths.
“From the data presented here, it clearly emerges that there is no connection between an increase in the distribution of legal weapons and femicide,” the Observatory said. “In fact, the vast majority of murder cases are carried out with illegal weapons, almost all of them in the Arab sector.”
The Observatory added, “There is an even sharper increase of 82% in the number of Jewish women murdered” compared to the previous year, while Arab women saw a 40 percent increase.
The findings come as Israel debates gun policy following expanded licensing after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks. Critics worry more licensed weapons could fuel domestic violence. Israel rolled out a new digital interface in November designed to help prevent gender-based killings by closing long-criticized gaps between government agencies.
Firearms were the most common murder weapon, but not the only one. Knives were used to kill 13 women, while seven died by other methods. Professor Shalva Weil, who leads the observatory established in 2020, argues the focus should shift to illegal weapons. The report calls for “a serious policy needed to reduce the distribution of illegal weapons,” particularly in Arab communities.
The research revealed another troubling pattern in Jewish society. Seven mothers were murdered by their sons in 2025, six of them Jewish and one Arab. This represents a 21 percent increase from 2024 and accounts for 30 percent of all femicides in the Jewish community. All the victims were over 60.
“Some of the sons who murdered their mothers had a psychiatric background, but the authorities did not always maintain follow-up with them,” the Observatory said. Two sons committed suicide after killing their mothers. Mental health appeared to play a broader role in femicides within Jewish society. Seven perpetrators, representing 30 percent of murderers in that community, took their own lives after killing women. “No Arab murderer committed suicide,” according to the Observatory.
The report notes that illegal firearms also dominated the 10 criminal homicides of women in the Arab sector, serving as the murder weapon in every case.
Israeli citizens do not have a legal right to privately carry firearms, and the country has strict gun control laws. Applicants must meet minimum age requirements, have no criminal record, and provide a declaration signed by a doctor certifying that they are physically and mentally healthy. They must also explain to the Firearms Licensing Division why they need to carry a gun. Permission is not automatic, and the type of gun an Israeli is permitted to carry may depend on the reason given to the authorities. Licenses must be renewed every three years.
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