Israeli State Comptroller Criticizes Police for Weak Enforcement of Prostitution Ban and Victim Protection

A harsh report released by the Israeli State Comptroller on Tuesday reveals significant failures in enforcing the 2018 law banning the consumption of prostitution and protecting victims of human trafficking. The report highlights minimal police action against clients and brothels, with only 13 brothels shut down in 2024 despite intelligence on hundreds of suspected prostitution sites nationwide. Over the past four years, just 60 locations have been closed. Enforcement against clients is similarly sparse, with only 22 fines issued last year in the southern, northern, and Jerusalem districts combined.

Comptroller Matanyahu Englman emphasized that these crimes severely violate basic human rights, including dignity, freedom, and bodily integrity, which the state is obligated to protect. However, the report found "notable under-enforcement" of prostitution and trafficking offenses. Police have failed to set national enforcement targets or translate intelligence into field operations, with eight out of 26 police stations holding intelligence on suspected sites lacking any enforcement goals. The internet, now a primary platform for solicitation and trafficking, remains inadequately policed, with only 95 orders issued to shut down websites since the 2018 law.

Coordination between government agencies is also deficient. The report criticizes the Population and Immigration Authority for violating procedures by imposing unusual bail requirements and issuing limited residence permits to trafficking victims, hindering their ability to testify against traffickers. This forced the Legal Aid Department to file appeals and lawsuits to secure proper permits. Cooperation between agencies is partial and inconsistent, mainly limited to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

The state’s anti-trafficking coordinator warned that current practices contradict government decisions, harm victims, and risk pushing women back into prostitution. The report warns that poor enforcement jeopardizes criminal case management, risks lowering Israel’s ranking in U.S. evaluations, and could lead to economic sanctions and damage national interests.

Engelman called on the police and Ministry of Justice to immediately strengthen enforcement against trafficking networks and prostitution clients, underscoring the constitutional duty to protect human dignity and bodily integrity. The report exposes deep gaps in law enforcement despite the criminal nature of these offenses and their severe impact on fundamental human rights.