ISRAEL
Israel Hayom
Rabbi Mordechai Elon said to be exploring legal options after conviction • “The court’s ruling is immensely important for breaking the silence around the phenomenon of sex crimes in the religious community,” says Association of Rape Crisis Centers head.
Yehuda Shlezinger and Yael Branovsky
Friends and associates of Rabbi Mordechai Elon are still struggling to come to terms with his conviction Wednesday on two counts of indecent acts against a minor.
“Naturally, spirits are low, but the rabbi is the king of Migdal,” said one of Elon’s associates. “We are reviewing the legal options the rabbi has before him.”
After Elon’s associates and family read the court’s decision, one said that “the judge has a very clear world view, which stipulates what is legitimate and what is illegitimate. In her view, if a person behind closed doors hugs someone it is illegitimate, and you must prove that if a person comes to you for consultation and that person is in distress, that such a situation is truly called for.”
Those in Elon’s circle understand that his conviction will lead many of his critics and those skeptic of his teachings in the national-religious community to believe the rabbi is guilty.
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