July 31, 2001

To: JCPA Member Agencies

From: Martin J. Raffel, Associate Director

The JCPA received a number of calls following the release of the U.S. State Department report accusing a number of countries, including Israel, of failing to act strongly enough against the phenomenon of human trafficking. These concerns were shared with representatives of the Israeli Foreign Ministry. Below is the reply we received from the Ministry:

Israel views the phenomenon of human trafficking gravely. The issue is high on the agenda in the Ministry of Internal Security, the Police as well as the offices of the Attorney General and the General Prosecution. All aim to enforce the laws, especially against those who do the trafficking. The State Department report is amiss in stating that there are no efforts being made to encourage victims to complain against those who traffic. A few months ago the Attorney General ordered the establishment of interministerial committee to provide recommendations on how to deal more effectively with this problem. These are to be presented very soon. Furthermore the Knesset has established a special commission of inquiryand the General Prosecution is issuing instructions on how to deal with the victims-testifying as early as possible so as to shorten the time they have to remain in Israel. On the 31st of this month there will be a seminar on the subject initiated by the Minister of Internal Security with the participation of govermental, judicial, Knesset and NGO representatives. The goal is to enhance enforcement of the laws and to impede human trafficking.