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22 ultra-conservative Israeli Jews arrested for sexual assaults on minors

The police want to ensure the suspects face trial

News Desk March 29, 2017

PHOTO: REUTERS

At least 22 Haredim Jews were arrested by the police on Monday morning following investigation in sexual molestation of minors and women over the last two years.

The authorities in Jerusalem District had initiated investigations after receving information that ultra-Orthodox elements were covering up sex crimes in the community – following which the police seized documents where tens of alleged attackers names were documented.

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The police were attacked by ulta-Orthodox resident in the cities, namely Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Betar Ilit and Bnei Brak where arrests were made. The windows of two police cars were shattered by protesters throwing rocks.

Until the official inquiry, the community had been dealing with the matter internally by conduction investigations and outlining punishments. However, the statement by the police said that the suspects continued to live normal lives without major penalties. The offenders were sent for psychological support or exiled.

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The police intends to ensure the suspects are taken to trial.

The man, from whom the documents were confiscated, is known as a ‘fixer’ and is currently not under arrest. He has previously testified in sexual offence related cases. According to the police, he compiled and investigated sexual offences with old-world methods that are accepted by the community. He, along with other had their rabbis’ blessing to handle the cases without informing the police.

This article originally appeared on the Haaretz.

COMMENTS (1)

Solomon2 | 7 years ago | Reply The 22 were arrested for sexual assaults on "women and minors"; that does not mean ALL 22 were arrested for sexual assaults upon minors. Furthermore, it is important to keep in mind that acts Jews classify as sexual crimes may not always be the same as those under Pakistan's own laws and standards. What was going on was that haredi were keeping to their old tradition of dealing with such crimes under by own religious leaders, as they had of old under Christian and Muslim states: "Police believe haredi leaders helped conceal the crimes and dealt with them on their own rather than reporting them, according to reports. Their investigation revealed that haredi leaders kept written records of the attacks; the perpetrators were required to get therapy within the haredi community. They also were punished internally." However, this state-within-a-state conduct is not permitted in modern Israel.

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