Sauna Or Brothel?
Northern Israeli authorities raided a sauna in Haifa over the weekend, arresting 11 men and claiming the gay venue was a brothel. According to the police, sexual activity in exchange for money is considered prostitution and the raid was not an infringement of privacy.
The Association of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexuals and Transgenders (the “Aguda”) in Israel reacted with outrage on suspicions of prostitution in the sauna, saying that the sauna is “a meeting place for men looking to meet men”.
“Saying that this place provides prostitution services is simply ignorance and stupidity,” said Aguda Chairman Mike Hammel to Ynetnews.com. “Only in Haifa can they come to a place for gays, remove people as if they were a herd of animals, and simply place them under investigation for prostitution.”
The sauna was established only a few months ago and has since been a meeting place for gay men in the area. One customer who was arrested is looking for help from Aguda to contend with the authorities. According to him, the police claimed that having paid the entrance fee was enough reason for arrests on counts of prostitution.
While all suspects arrested have since been released, the police continue their investigation.
“The State Prosecutor’s Office and the court will decide if the evidence is sufficient enough to convict,” said police commander Jamal Hakrush.
The owner of the sauna, however, will not back down without a fight.
“I will not be deterred by some bullies.”
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Christian Taylor
said ages ago