There are an estimated 14,000 victims of human trafficking in the United States, whereas only 82 investigations were opened against traffickers in Israel, and 151 victims received assistance, a Justice Ministry official said Tuesday in response to the State Department's criticism of Israel in its 2004 report on trafficking in women.

Israel was placed in the same category (Tier 2) as in the 2003 Trafficking in Persons Report, but was cited for "inadequate care for victims of trafficking" and "minimal efforts in the area of prevention" via a public awareness campaign. At the same time, Israel was credited for improvements made in law enforcement against trafficking. The best ranking is Tier 1, and Israel was previously on the Tier 2 watch list.

The US is not included in the rankings, but the report includes a section on the efforts of the US government to combat the problem.

The 2004 report was discussed on Tuesday in the Knesset Committee of Inquiry into Women Trafficking. Committee chair Zehava Gal-On (Yahad) backed the conclusions of the 2004 report on treatment of victims, saying that a shelter was opened in February that can house 50 women, but has taken in only 23 women who are waiting to testify in sex slavery cases.

All the rest of the women are being held in prisons without any assistance while awaiting deportation, Gal-On said.

Gal-On also noted that the report found that the Internal Security Ministry has issued only seven visas to victims, which has forced most of them to go back into prostitution.