Israeli Rabbi Accused of Abusing Wife and Children

Jewish Voice
November 27, 2013

http://jewishvoiceny.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5929:israeli-rabbi-accused-of-abusing-wife-and-children&catid=107:israel&Itemid=290

A rabbi in the Israeli town of Kiryat Gat was arrested and charged with assault last week after allegedly beating his wife and children with a hanger, according to a police report filed in Israel. The rabbi, who is a resident in southern Israel, was charged on last Tuesday with violence against his wife and children.

The rabbi is accused of physically abusing his wife and children, issuing terroristic threats and obstructing justice, according to Ha'aretz.

The indictment, which was filed with the Kiryat Gat Magitare’s Court, accuses the prominent rabbi, abused his wife and his two children, who are two and five-years-old. The abuse occurred over a prolonged period of time, according to the indictment.

The arrest occurred after the rabbi's filed a complaint at the Ashdod Police station in Israel, according to both Ha'aretz and beforeitsnews.com. She told police that she was punched by her husband in the midst of an argument and that the assault happened in front of her children. She also said her husband grabbed her, threw her to the floor and allegedly kicked her repeatedly. The woman claims she escaped only by locking herself in a bathroom.

According to Ha'aretz, the rabbi is accused of other abuses as well. The rabbi once allegedly held a burning match to his wife’s legs. He is also accused of pushing her down a flight of stairs, beating her with both his fists and with a hanger and of forcing her to drink his urine, according to Israeli authorities.

The unnamed rabbi was charged with assault and battery. According to Ashdod Police Superintendent Noam Shekel, the rabbi will not be released on bail until the criminal proceedings have concluded.