Man convicted of trafficking women sentenced to 6 years in jail Published in April 14, 2005 in "Haarezt" By Haaretz Service

The Tel Aviv District Court sentenced Felix Goldenberg, 25, to six and a half years in prison and fined him NIS 35,000 Thursday, after he was convicted of trafficking and imprisoning women.

The ruling was reached as part of a plea bargain, agreed upon by the prosecution, after difficulties were encountered in finding victims who would testify against Goldenberg, and because the prosecution did not want to expose undercover police officers.

In the verdict, the judges wrote that Goldenberg served as a driver who transported the women from one escort service to another, and was also part of trafficking the women for purposes of prostitution.

The punishment in Israel for trafficking human beings is much less severe than in other countries. In the United States, the penalty is some 16 years in prison, while in Israel it is only one year in jail.

Two months ago, the head of Justice Ministry's penal department, attorney Rachel Gershoni, told the Knesset panel on foreign workers that the ministry had prepared a bill whereby a person convicted of trafficking for purposes of servitude would serve 16 years in prison.

Sources in the Justice Ministry fear that the U.S. may categorize Israel with countries that do not take action against human trafficking, which would induce economic sanctions. One of the main criteria U.S. law sets as the minimal standard in combating the phenomena of human trafficking is a harsh penalty for individuals involved in it.