Israeli prosecutors have launched an offensive to end lap dancing in strip clubs, while lawmakers from across the political spectrum are backing a bill to outlaw striptease across the board.
Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said on Sunday that law enforcement had received a statement from the state attorney’s office saying lap dancing can be considered a form of prostitution and therefore an offence.
Officers are now awaiting instructions on how to enforce the rule, he said.
“The phenomenon known as ‘lap dance’ constitutes in certain circumstances an ‘act of prostitution’,” says the policy ruling.
“The continuation of this activity will constitute an offence and cause for taking all the measures in the law,” including against business owners, it added.
The police have informed strip club on the change in policy and warned that they would act to enforce it, the ruling said.
Mr. Rosenfeld confirmed that “some letters have been sent out” to club owners.
“The bill is designed to reflect in Israeli law the direct connection between striptease and prostitution,” the draft amendment says.
Published - September 02, 2018 09:29 pm IST
