US-Israel Extradition — Specialists

Facing a US Extradition Request in Israel?

The United States-Israel Extradition Treaty (1962, amended 2005) is one of the most actively used extradition arrangements affecting Israeli nationals. US charges for financial crimes, fraud, cybercrime and narcotics regularly produce extradition requests to Israel. We defend Israeli nationals at every stage — from initial US indictment to Israeli Supreme Court.

120
US extradition cases
89
Stay / refusal rate (%)
15
Years of practice
Get Emergency Legal Help

100% confidential · Response within 24h

The US-Israel Extradition Treaty — What Israeli Nationals Must Know

The US Pursues Israeli Nationals Aggressively — Know Your Rights

The US-Israel Extradition Treaty was originally signed in 1962. A 2005 Protocol significantly expanded its scope, removing several historical protections including the strict nationality exemption for Israeli citizens. The US Department of Justice now regularly requests extradition of Israeli nationals for:

  • Financial crimes — wire fraud, bank fraud, securities fraud
  • Cybercrime — hacking, computer fraud, dark web offences
  • Narcotics trafficking — US DEA-led cases
  • Money laundering — including cryptocurrency-related charges
  • Tax evasion — IRS Criminal Investigation cases
  • FCPA violations — US anti-corruption enforcement

Despite the 2005 amendments, Israeli courts retain full discretion to refuse extradition. Israeli nationals benefit from the Extradition Law 5714-1954 and the constitutional protections of the Israeli Basic Laws. Our firm has successfully blocked US extradition requests on dual criminality, proportionality and human rights grounds.

At a Glance
Treaty Key Facts
Treaty signed1962
Protocol amending2005
Nationality protectionPartial — courts decide
Our success rate89%
The Problem
Without Specialist Counsel
Arrested at Ben Gurion on US Interpol Red Notice
Extradited to face US federal charges without independent review
US federal sentencing guidelines — severe custodial terms
Assets frozen in Israel on US MLAT request
Family and business in Israel unprotected
Our Solution
With Our Representation
Immediate bail application — no unnecessary pre-trial detention
Challenge dual criminality under Israeli law
Parallel CCF challenge if Red Notice accompanies the request
Negotiate with US DOJ for Israeli prosecution alternative
Protect assets from MLAT-driven Israeli freeze orders

01
Emergency Assessment

Within 2 hours: confirm nature of US charges, existence of Red Notice, MLAT requests and any Israeli Ministry of Justice proceedings already commenced.

02
Dual Criminality Analysis

Map US charges to Israeli criminal law. Wire fraud, FCPA violations, many regulatory offences and some cyber charges fail the dual criminality test under Israeli law — extradition must then be refused.

03
Treaty Defences

Identify applicable treaty exclusions: political offence, statute of limitations, proportionality, prior jeopardy, and the residual nationality protection available under Israeli constitutional law.

04
CCF Application (if Red Notice issued)

US-requested Red Notices accompany most major extradition requests. Simultaneous CCF challenge filed. Deletion of the Red Notice significantly disrupts the US extradition proceedings.

05
Israeli Prosecution Alternative

Where appropriate, negotiate with the Israeli State Attorney for Israel to prosecute the conduct domestically. This satisfies the principle of specialty and closes the US extradition route entirely.

0
+
US extradition cases
Defended in Israeli courts since 2010
0
%
Stay or refusal rate
Against US extradition requests
0
Protocol expertise
Deep knowledge of the 2005 treaty amendments
0
h
Emergency response
Available 24/7 for US extradition emergencies
Your Legal Team

US-Israel Extradition Specialists

DC
Adv. Daniel Cohen
Lead Partner — US-Israel Extradition

Has defended over 120 US extradition cases in Israeli courts since 2010. Deep expertise in 2005 Protocol provisions and US federal criminal law interaction with Israeli domestic law. Former State Attorney's Office.

ML
Adv. Miriam Levi
Senior Associate — International Criminal Law

Specialises in dual criminality analysis across US and Israeli law. Extensive experience in MLAT proceedings, asset protection and US DOJ negotiation.

Case Results

US Extradition Requests We Have Blocked

★★★★★

"US DOJ indictment for alleged wire fraud. Our analysis showed the conduct did not constitute fraud under Israeli law. Dual criminality challenge succeeded. US extradition refused by Jerusalem District Court."

IT
Israeli tech entrepreneur
US wire fraud · Dual criminality · Refused 2024
★★★★★

"Client indicted by US DOJ for alleged FCPA violations. We demonstrated the conduct was entirely lawful under Israeli law. Extradition refused. US subsequently dropped the charges."

IE
Israeli executive, Tel Aviv
US FCPA case · Extradition refused · 2023
★★★★★

"US Interpol Red Notice issued alongside extradition request. We secured CCF deletion of the Red Notice in 5 months. US then agreed to allow Israeli prosecution. Client never left Israel."

DU
Dual US-Israeli citizen
US extradition + Red Notice · Both resolved 2024
US-Israel Extradition FAQ

US Extradition Requests — Your Questions Answered

Is there an extradition treaty between Israel and the USA? +
Yes. The United States and Israel signed an Extradition Treaty in 1962. A significant amending Protocol was signed in 2005, which expanded the scope of extraditable offences and modified nationality protections. The treaty covers virtually all serious criminal offences including financial crimes, fraud, narcotics, cybercrime and money laundering.
Can the US extradite Israeli citizens from Israel? +
Yes, in principle. The 2005 Protocol removed the absolute nationality bar that previously protected Israeli citizens from extradition to the US. However, Israeli courts still conduct a full independent review of every US extradition request. They can refuse extradition on grounds of dual criminality, proportionality, human rights, or where the conduct can be prosecuted in Israel instead.
What US offences most commonly lead to extradition requests to Israel? +
The most common US extradition requests involving Israeli nationals cover: wire fraud and bank fraud, cybercrime (CFAA violations), securities fraud, FCPA violations (anti-bribery), narcotics trafficking (DEA cases), money laundering, and tax evasion. Financial crime cases involving Israeli tech and fintech companies have increased significantly since 2020.
What is dual criminality and how does it protect Israeli nationals? +
Dual criminality requires that the conduct alleged must constitute a criminal offence under the laws of both the US and Israel. Many US regulatory offences, FCPA charges, certain cyber offences, and some financial crimes do not have exact equivalents in Israeli criminal law. Where dual criminality fails, Israeli courts must refuse extradition. This is the most commonly successful defence we raise.
Can Israel prosecute domestically instead of extraditing to the US? +
Yes. Israeli law allows Israeli nationals to be prosecuted in Israel for offences committed abroad when the requesting state agrees. This is known as 'aut dedere aut judicare' — extradite or prosecute. We regularly negotiate with the Israeli State Attorney and sometimes with the US DOJ to pursue Israeli prosecution as an alternative to extradition. This keeps the client in Israel while satisfying justice.
What should I do if I receive a US grand jury subpoena or learn of a US indictment? +
Act immediately. Do not travel to any country with a US extradition treaty. Contact our office for an emergency assessment. We will check for any Red Notice, MLAT requests or Israeli Ministry of Justice notifications. Early action — before any arrest — gives you the most legal options including challenging the process at the earliest stage.
Can the US freeze my assets in Israel through an MLAT request? +
Yes. The US routinely uses Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) requests to freeze assets held in Israeli banks or through Israeli companies, alongside extradition requests. We handle asset protection proceedings in Israeli courts in parallel with extradition defence to preserve your financial position during the proceedings.
US Extradition — Act Immediately

US Indictment or Extradition Request Involving Israel?

US extradition requests move fast. Every day without specialist counsel reduces your options. Our team responds within 2 hours, 24/7. Israeli legal proceedings begin immediately.

Emergency Consultation WhatsApp — Immediate
💬