Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced that the temporary law prohibiting the consumption of prostitution, introduced in July 2020, will now become permanent.
In a major legal development, officials have taken a significant step in combating prostitution and human trafficking within the country.
Justice Minister Yariv Levin announced that the temporary law prohibiting the consumption of prostitution, introduced in July 2020, will now become permanent.
This decision comes after extensive consultation with various government ministries, civil society organizations, academics, and individuals involved in prostitution. During the five-year trial period, studies were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the temporary law, with the findings indicating a positive shift in public perception of prostitution.
Levin emphasized the importance of protecting those victimized by the prostitution cycle, many of whom are forced into sex work due to economic hardship, coercion, or, tragically, human trafficking.
The decision to make this law permanent sends a clear moral message to society that consuming prostitution is both socially and legally unacceptable.
For now, the enforcement of this law will remain at the administrative level, focusing primarily on fines for individuals found consuming prostitution.
The standard fine will be NIS 2,000, with repeat offenders facing a fine of NIS 4,000. These individuals will also have an option to attend psychosocial workshops instead of paying the fine.
Criminal charges may be pursued in specific cases, though the overall approach aims to prevent prostitution rather than criminalize individuals involved in the exchange.
In the long term, this legislation is intended to further the social change needed to combat the normalization of the sex industry, which has been linked to exploitation, abuse, and trafficking. Additionally, the government has pledged to continue its efforts to support those in the prostitution industry with welfare, therapeutic, and educational assistance.
