A Human Being is Not for Sale!

We, the undersigned, represent a coalition of Rabbis and Rabbinical students of all denominations, deeply committed to Jewish moral values and to the State of Israel.

"And if your brother becomes impoverished beside you and sells himself to you, you shall not work him like a [bond]servant ...For they are my [bond]servants, whom I brought out from the land of Mitzrayim; they shall not be sold as [bond]servants are sold. ...You must not rule over him with harshness, and you shall fear God." (Lev. 25:39-43)

We are appalled and outraged at the growing phenomenon of Human Trafficking in Israel. We consider it our responsibility to eradicate this modern phenomenon, just as we are obligated to remember our own slavery in ancient Egypt.

We call on Israel to declare its opposition to this horrific practice of sexually enslaving women. Israel must do everything in its power to abolish the imprisonment of women in the underworld of sexual slavery.

• We refuse to allow the lives of society's weakest to be abused and traded for the use of those who have more money and power.
• We condemn authorities that support this sexual violence by turning a blind eye and not taking decisive action to punish the perpetrators - traffickers, pimps and their accomplices.
• We refuse to be silent when confronted with a policy which compromises the values of human dignity and treats certain people with contempt as if they were disposable.
• We call upon leaders to denounce all forms of human trafficking, with or without consent of the victims. We contest the claim that "clients" may exercise their “sexual liberties” by negating someone else's freedom.
• We oppose turning humans into products for consumption. We beseech Israel to declare: “The human body and human sexuality are not items of trade.”
• We expect Israel to pave the way and become a model nation by proclaiming that there is no place for human trafficking in Israel or in the world.
• We demand that Israel do its utmost to cut off the "supply" of enslaved women into the country, by closing its border with Egypt to trafficking.
• We pray that Israel realizes its Jewish obligation to free slaves and hostages, rather than enslave them.

With blessings for a Pesach in which all can celebrate freedom, Pidyon - the Rabbinic Coalition against Slavery in Israel

To help participate in Pidyon Shvuyim (Freeing the Captive), please take a moment to send us the following information: Name, Position, City, Email and other Contact Information Send to: Pidyon@gmail.com. For additional information, see www.atzum.org