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.
