Israel has an opportunity to join the ranks of the world’s most progressive countries by finally seeking to end its appalling and well-documented human trafficking problems. Modern abolitionists around the world look to Swedish, Norwegian and Icelandic legislation that targets demand for paid sex. These countries regard human trafficking for sex and prostitution from a human rights perspective. The message from these countries is that women, girls and boys are not for sale.

Will Israel send the same message by passing legislation that criminalizes the buying of others for sex?  Polls show that a majority of Israelis welcomes such a law, and the Scandinavian countries have demonstrated it is effective. Sweden has a 10-year record demonstrating the success of its law. Simply put, without paid demand there will be far less supply.

We urge the Government of Israel to put an end to human trafficking within its borders and stand up for human rights, and gender equality. We support ATZUM’s Task Force on Human Trafficking in its efforts to create this change in Israel.