The Relationship between Economic Hardship and Crime: The Case of Israel and the Palestinians

Abstract

Numerous theories of crime posit a positive relation between economic hardship and crime, among them rational choice, strain, anomie, social control, and even neo-Marxist models. The present study focuses on the unique framework provided by the large integrated labor force of Palestinian workers employed in Israel over the past few decades. The study was based on time-series analysis of a restricted time period characterized by severe economic hardship among Palestinians due to loss of employment in Israel and increases of crime rates in Israel. A significant positive relationship between economic hardship among Palestinians and property and general crime in Israel was not found; however, a significant positive relationship was obtained in the specific case of motor vehicle theft. The implications of the findings are discussed.