It is not an exaggeration to use the word “historic” when describing the bill outlawing payment for a prostitute’s services in Israel; the bill was passed on Aug. 5 by the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, ahead of a vote in the Knesset plenum. According to the bill, a fine of 1,500 shekels ($400)  will be imposed for the first offense of paying for prostitution services, and 3,000 shekels for a repeat fine within three years. In addition, if a person receiving such a fine will turn to the courts and it turns out that he did commit the offense, the judges can increase the fine up to 75,300 shekels.

The proposed law also determines that a significant budget of 105 million shekels ($28.5 million) from governmental apparatuses will be allocated to rehabilitate women engaged in prostitution as part of the system-wide action plan.

This is a true revolution because after years of attempts — mainly on the part of female Knesset members — to pass laws that would significantly reduce the use of prostitution services in Israel and make paying for it illegal, a great victory has been scored in this Sisyphean task. Unfortunately, this achievement was overshadowed by the Nationality Law that dominated the public agenda, even though the anti-prostitution law is expected to make broad, historic changes.

Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked of HaBayit HaYehudi, who also serves as chairperson of the Ministerial Committee for Legislation, was the one to initiate the bill and push for its approval. This was an unusual step to take in the current period, when the Knesset is on its summer break. The reason she did this is because Shaked hopes to have the law passed in its first reading (out of a necessary three), immediately when the Knesset reconvenes on Oct. 14. This way, if for any reason elections should be moved up (a decision that could be taken after the Knesset reconvenes), the bill will not be shelved; instead, the legislation process can continue immediately after the elections.