Mission
The authority is designed to combat the phenomenon of potential witnesses being threatened or hurt by criminals. The authority protects the witnesses and their families prior to, during and after the trial.
Vision
The Witness Protection Authority will create proper conditions for witnesses in general and prosecution/State witnesses in particular to agree to cooperate with the law enforcement authorities and testify against crime organizations and serious crime offenders in order to intensify the battle against organized crime and improve the sense of security and quality of life of the citizens of the State of Israel.
Duties
On November 16, 2008, the Israeli Knesset approved the Witness Protection Act. The primary functions as stated in the law are as follows:
The authority offers services, including protection of high-risk witnesses, using a wide range of tools, including relocation, as well as:
Developing a comprehensive, professional set of principles for witness protection, in accordance with the policy of the Steering Committee
Setting criteria for assessing threats and developing tools to protect the witnesses based on those assessments
Serving as a professional guide in the field of witness protection for all authorities in Israel
Promoting bills in the area of witness protection in conjunction with the relevant authorities (Israel Police, State Attorney, Israel Prison Service, etc.)
Promoting international cooperation, in conjunction with other relevant government offices, in the field of witness protection
Promoting the civil duty of witnesses to come forward and cooperate with law enforcement agencies