Haim Rotter Indicted for Rape, Indecent Acts Against Minors

Chaim Rotter, chairman of the “Hashomrim” organization in Bnei Brak, faces four indictments for indecent acts without consent and rape of minors, following a Kan News exposé that triggered a police investigation last month. Additional complaints have recently emerged, prompting further inquiries. The Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court extended Rotter’s detention, citing “significant danger” posed by the suspect.

In one case, Rotter allegedly lured a victim to a secluded beach area in Shfayim under the pretense of assisting with her divorce dispute. Insisting on a face-to-face meeting to avoid phone surveillance, he drove her to the location, asked her to leave her phone behind, and led her to an isolated spot. There, he asked personal questions, attempted to hug her despite her refusal, and tried to commit an indecent act without consent.

Confrontations between Rotter and three complainants revealed stark accusations. One, A., said, “You forcibly raped me, shame on you,” while Rotter denied any contact, calling it “lies.” Another, G., elicited Rotter’s admission to a sexual act, which he claimed was consensual. G. retorted, “You assaulted me. You destroyed my life.” A third complainant stated, “I was just past my bar mitzvah; he destroyed me.”

The Magen Support Center, aiding some of Rotter’s victims, praised the prosecution’s decision to file serious charges for “heinous sex crimes committed over years,” calling it a vital step in breaking the “wall of silence.” They encouraged other victims to come forward, noting that even time-barred complaints have helped build a fuller picture, despite a long-standing “system of intimidation and silencing.”

Rotter’s attorney, Ra’anan Umsi, called the accusations “isolated” and unsupported. The investigation, sparked by Kan News and fueled by the recent “Meshi Zahav” series on Kan 11, uncovered allegations of acts dating back years. Rotter was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport upon returning to Israel.

“Hashomrim,” a volunteer group acting as a civilian police force in Bnei Brak for 15 years, has faced scrutiny. A 2019 Kan News investigation revealed members’ violent attacks on suspected offenders or those in conflict with Rotter, alongside frequent meetings with senior police officials, including District Commander David Bitan.