A State Comptroller report released Tuesday paints a disturbing picture of Israel’s handling of human trafficking for prostitution, revealing significant gaps in enforcement, victim identification, protection, and care.
1+The comptroller warns of under-enforcement of crimes related to prostitution and sex trafficking. He emphasizes these are serious criminal offenses that violate human dignity, freedom, and bodily integrity.
The report also notes that even six years after a law banning the purchase of sex took effect, enforcement remains inadequate. Implementation of measures to combat trafficking, protect victims, and provide care is described in the report as “deficient and lacking.”
1+According to data in the report, in 2014 an estimated 12,000 women and men were involved in prostitution in Israel, including roughly 1,300 minors. Experts in the field estimate that in 2025, the number of minors in prostitution stands at 3,000 to 5,000.
The comptroller is calling on police and the Justice Ministry to step up enforcement, and on the Population and Immigration Authority to ensure it grants residency permits to trafficking victims in accordance with its procedures. Implementing these recommendations is necessary, he says, for Israel to meet its legal and moral obligations.