Feminist NGO calls to shut down all Israeli strip clubs
"The State must act to close all strip clubs in Israel."
By YVETTE J. DEANEUpdated: OCTOBER 16, 2019 14:28The notorious pussycat strip club in Tel Aviv's Atrium Square has faced prostitution allegations(photo credit: YOSSI ALONI)
Amid the closing of the infamous Pussycat Club, a strip club in north Tel Aviv, some women are calling to close down all Israeli strip clubs.The Israel Women's Network, an NGO that works on creating a more equitable society, released a statement on Tuesday asking Israel to shut down strip clubs because of it is closely related to the phenomenon of trafficking women. "It's a good thing that the Pussycat Club is closed, but it would be good if it did not exist in the first place," the NGO said. "The culture of strip clubs is an inseparable part of the phenomenon of trafficking women and their bodies.""The State must act to close all strip clubs in Israel."The Pussycat Club was forced to shut its doors in late February after almost two years of hearings, when the court rejected a petition to keep the club up and running, Maariv, The Jerusalem Post's Israeli sister newspaper, reported.In October 2016, police went undercover and discovered tourists working at the strip club without proper work permits as well as prostitution along with other illegal activities such as drug sales and use. The club's owner was ordered to demolish the private rooms, which prevented the closure at the time. Police informed the club in November 2018 that the club was still participating in illicit activity. This prevented the department for licensing to hinder the club from renewing its license.Prostitution in Israel is technically legal, however organized prostitution in the form of brothels is not. In December 2018, the Knesset passed a bill to charge patrons for prostitution, depending on the number of offenses they have committed.
