Powerful Haredi Figure Faces Sexual Abuse Charges; Police Seek Additional Witnesses
Three weeks after fleeing the country, a senior Bnei Brak figure has returned to Israel and was immediately arrested. As the court prepares to lift the gag order on his identity, disturbing new testimonies emerge—and a divided Haredi community reacts.
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The arrest of a senior figure in the ultra-Orthodox Shomrim organization has taken a dramatic turn. Police confirmed they are investigating six separate cases of alleged abuse committed over a 15-year period. The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court extended the suspect’s detention by eight days and approved the release of his name starting Thursday, July 3.
The suspect, who holds significant influence within Bnei Brak’s Haredi circles, landed in Israel Wednesday morning after several weeks abroad. He was taken directly into custody and brought in for questioning.
Police say the decision to lift the gag order is intended to encourage other potential victims to come forward. The investigation is being handled by the Ramat Gan–Bnei Brak division under the Tel Aviv District Police. The reported offenses include sexual abuse of both minors and adult women.
Attorney Yossi Roterman, representing several of the complainants, told Kan Radio that most of the known victims were minors at the time of the incidents. He added that several women also came forward with serious accusations.
Roterman noted that fear remains a major factor holding others back from speaking publicly. One victim told him he could not reveal his identity because it would be impossible to remain in his community. The suspect is described as a powerful man with loyal followers who dominate public spaces. According to Roterman, this creates a dangerous dynamic for victims who fear retaliation or public shaming.
New testimonies reveal a pattern of abuse, manipulation and trauma. One survivor said he was assaulted when he was thirteen and was left frozen, unable to function, and too afraid to tell anyone. Another recalled being invited to the suspect’s home under the pretense of learning about the organization and was then assaulted. A third survivor said the arrest closed a painful chapter that lasted 25 years. He described a long journey of struggle, silence and rebuilding. He said that now, finally, justice had arrived and he could move forward with his life.
While some parts of the Haredi community are beginning to reckon with the allegations, others are defending the suspect. In several WhatsApp groups, messages praised him as a respected community leader and questioned the credibility of the complainants. One message described him as a righteous figure whose innocence would soon be proven. Another message openly attacked the victims’ mental health and motives, claiming they were driven by revenge or attention-seeking.
Advocates for abuse victims have expressed concern over these reactions. They warn that such public support for the accused may deter other survivors from coming forward, especially in closed communities where loyalty and reputation are powerful forces.
Editor’s Note: JFeed does not publish the names of suspects in sexual abuse cases until officially cleared by the courts. We will continue to follow this developing story as more information becomes available.