In a precedent-setting ruling Monday, Tel Aviv Magistrates' Court Judge Itai Hermelin determined that women who work as prostitutes may, under certain circumstances, run brothels. While prostitution in Israel is legal, organized prostitution via brothels and pimping is not. Hermelin's ruling is an effort to allow prostitutes a safe and dignified way to carry out their work. The trial concerned a property in the heart of Tel Aviv that police are trying to shut down because of its use as a brothel, as the law bars the use of residential property for prostitution. Fourteen of the women who work out of the building appeared in court claiming that they rent rooms in the building and that their business is legal. They added that the laws limiting the use of the property to exclude prostitution could leave them in the streets. During the hearing, Hermelin outlined conditions agreed to by the state under which the law that prohibits holding a property for the purpose of prostitution will not be enforced: If the business operates out of the prostitute's home; if the property is rented out jointly by several prostitutes; or if the property is rented out by a prostitute for her business and she invites other prostitutes to share it with her. Hermelin wrote in his ruling: "I do not believe that prostitution is necessarily slavery. I recognize a woman's autonomy to work in prostitution and allow men to pay money for sexual relations with women who work in this business." Nevertheless, he ultimately granted the police motions for an order to close the premises due to concerns over pimping and prostitution. Hermelin's order will go into effect in three months time, allowing the women to make new arrangements for their work.
New ruling allows women to legally operate brothels
Prostitutes in court case seeking to shut down brothel argue that their business is legal and that the laws limiting the use of the property to exclude prostitution could leave them in the streets • Judge proposes exceptions to brothel law.
Load more...