Trafficking in Women Could Threaten U. S. Aid. Haaretz [Israeli newspaper], July 13, 2001 "If the Israeli government does not take significant steps to halt trafficking in women, it will face U.S. sanctions. 'Israel does not yet meet the minimum standards for combating trafficking in persons, and has not yet made significant efforts to combat the problem,' the State Department said in a scalding report on human trafficking in 2001 issued last night. The report cites Israel as 'a destination country for women from Moldova, Russia, Ukraine, Brazil, Turkey, South Africa, and some countries in Asia' ... Israeli law enforcement officials estimate that 85 percent of the prostitutes in the country are illegal aliens smuggled into Israel via Sinai. They say present laws do little to protect the women and enable the pimps and slave traders to operate with relative impunity."