The professional and occupational aspects of criminology in Israel reflect the unique social, sociolegal, and sociopolitical dimensions of Israeli society. The volume, nature, and fluctuations of major crimes have provided a remarkable subject matter for research. Born just after the establishment of the nation in 1948, Israeli criminology developed in a highly pluralistic society, at least in the sociodemographic and ethnic sense. The multiple sources of the legal system are in themselves an example of Israel's development as a promising arena for comparative research into the foundations and implementation of legal systems. The rapidity of nation-building, the ethnic diversity, and the effects of three wars have generated a serious crime problem that has stimulated the establishment of Israeli criminology and the need for criminological research. Whether trained by domestic or foreign institutions of higher education, Israeli criminologists have conducted intensive and sophisticated research focusing on a wide variety of topics and using many theoretical orientations. Over the years, the various institutes of criminology in Israel have become more and more involved with applied criminological problems, providing scientific and empirical input for constructing criminal and correctional policy. Thirty-seven notes and 21 bibliographic entries are provided. (Author summary modified)