Child prostitution a problem in Israel

JERUSALEM, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- More than 1,000 minors in Israel are now involved in prostitution, with their parent's encouragement, the Knesset's Labor and Welfare Committee heard Monday.

Representatives of the ELEM Youth in Distress non-profit organization testified two or three children are known by each local authority to be involved in prostitution.

Committee chairman Shaul Yahalom said the Labor and Social Affairs Ministry must place a particular emphasis on the matter, Ha'aretz reported Monday.

The head of the Be'er Sheva's welfare department, Esther Amar, said the State of Israel does not have enough rehabilitation programs to help youths who have been forced to resort to prostitution.