Prohibition of human trafficking

Under Israeli penal law, it is prohibited to hold, abduct, or traffic a person for various purposes, including slavery. Committing such acts against a minor results in an increased penalty, raising the potential imprisonment from 16 to 20 years.

While this is a general prohibition, the legal definition of slavery—whereby powers typically exercised over property are applied to a person, including control over their life or deprivation of their liberty—can be interpreted to encompass the context of child soldiers. Therefore, this prohibition is highly relevant in situations involving both the abduction of children and the recruitment and use of children, wherein children are subjected to such control or exploitation.