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sexual abuse

Members of the Red Cross watch while Israel Prison Service officers prepare Palestinian prisoners for release from Ketziot Prison as part of a deal in exchange for hostages held in Gaza, on February 26, 2025. (Chaim Goldberg/Flash90)
June 3, 2026, 11:25 pm
Israel vowed to sue over NYT’s abuse allegations. There’s no evidence it has, or will
It’s questionable whether Israel can file a defamation suit against the New York Times over claims of sexual abuse in prisons, or if it should, given the risk of what could come out in court
By Jeremy Sharon
A screenshot of a May 2026 New York Times column by Nicholas Kristof, set against The New York Times building in New York City. (Screenshot/Angela Weiss / AFP via Getty Images via JTA)
May 14, 2026, 2:13 pm
NYT column alleging Israeli abuse of Palestinian prisoners sparks debate among Jews
Nicholas Kristof opinion piece contains graphic claims that even some Israel critics argue marginalize more substantiated allegations that bear investigating
By Grace Gilson
The New York Times building is seen in New York City, on May 6, 2026. (Michael M. Santiago/ Getty Images/ AFP)
May 13, 2026, 11:54 am
Accused of ‘blood libel,’ NYT defends column alleging Israeli rape of Palestinian inmates
Jewish groups announce protest against ‘libels’ outside newspaper’s Manhattan offices; ex-PM Olmert says column misrepresented his words so they appeared to validate allegations
By Luke Tress and ToI Staff
Rabbi Yosef Shoveli speaks in a sermon, uploaded on October 16, 2018. (YouTube screenshot/Arutz Hatorah)
May 7, 2026, 11:40 am
Meron rabbi arrested after cult watchdog warned of sex abuse in strictly run group
Accusers say Rabbi Yosef Shoveli, 54, passed off sexual abuse as ‘spiritual’ acts; in group he leads, personal decisions are tightly controlled and members do chores without pay
By Michael Horovitz and ToI Staff
Velvel Serebryanski, a convicted child sex abuser, admits on camera to having abused his victim in an expose aired by the Kan public broadcaster on June 13, 2017. (Screenshot/Youtube)
December 5, 2025, 1:39 pm
Member of prominent Chabad family in Australia convicted of child sex abuse in long-running scandal
Two years after extradition from US, Velvel Serebryanski found guilty on 4 charges; jury decision marks ‘closing of a long and painful circle,’ says victim Manny Waks
By ToI Staff
Freed captive Guy Gilboa-Dalal speaks during an interview on Channel 12 News which aired on November 22, 2025. (Screenshot)
November 23, 2025, 1:21 am
‘I had nowhere to run’: Guy Gilboa-Dalal recounts sexual abuse by captor in Gaza
‘He took me, pressed a rifle to my head and a knife to my throat, and told me that if I told anyone… he would kill me,’ ex-captive tells Channel 12, adding the abuse happened twice
By Nava Freiberg and ToI Staff
Women in Gaza have reported facing sexual abuse while seeking aid or work. (AP Illustration / Peter Hamlin)
September 30, 2025, 12:21 pm
Gazan women say aid workers promised them food, money, work in exchange for sexual acts
Some claims involve UN staff; women’s nonprofit director says cases downplayed to keep focus on blaming Israel
By AP and ToI Staff
Illustrative image. (Bonciutoma/Istock by Getty Images)
August 25, 2025, 12:47 pm
Horrifying testimonies seek to lift shroud of silence around ritual sex abuse claims
Survivors tell Knesset lawmakers of organized assaults on children by those claiming mantle of religion, alleging longstanding phenomenon made worse by official indifference
By Ariela Karmel
Dan Sharoni, an IDF officer accused of sexual offenses, during a court hearing at a military court in Beit Lid, July 24, 2022. (Gideon Markowicz/Flash90)
April 28, 2025, 5:23 pm
Senior IDF officer who secretly filmed female soldiers nude jailed for 80 months
Lt. Col. Dan Sharoni also ordered to pay $82,000 in damages to 49 victims of his crimes, will be demoted to rank of private
By Emanuel Fabian
Australian sisters Nicole Meyer (L) and Dassi Erlich (R) take part in a demonstration on March 13, 2019, outside the Jerusalem District Court after an extradition hearing for Malka Leifer, a former girls school principal wanted for sexual abuse in Australia. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
April 27, 2025, 3:39 pm
Gag order on sexual abuse case involving cabinet minister highlights lack of transparency
Scholars, advocates and survivors are concerned that rather than protecting victims, Israel’s broad gag order regime is being used to shield powerful figures from public scrutiny
By Ariela Karmel
Hayim Nissim Cohen and his nine adopted sons in a photo posted to their family Facebook page in 2021. (Facebook; used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)
April 10, 2025, 11:49 pm
Fake Hasidic TikTok rabbi sentenced to 135 years for sexually abusing adoptive sons
Hayim Nissim Cohen, born Jeffrey Lujan Vejil, pleads guilty to sexual assault three years after arrest following allegations by one of 9 children
By JTA
Illustrative: Israel Police headquarters in south Tel Aviv, June 5, 2024. (Nati Shohat/FLASH90)
April 10, 2025, 8:20 pm
Daughter of senior public figure accuses parents of sexual abuse; gag order on case
Media permitted to publicize fact of complaint, but barred from sharing further details
By Charlie Summers
Classmates and teachers of Druze children killed in a deadly missile attack at a soccer field in the Druze village of Majdal Shams, in the Golan Heights, visit the site, August 2, 2024. (Erik Marmor/Flash90)
April 6, 2025, 11:46 pm
Over 23,000 children and youth physically or mentally damaged by war – report
Israel Council for the Child unveils extent of loss, against backdrop of increased family violence, sexual abuse, suicide attempts by children aged 9 and younger
By Sue Surkes
Members of Or Tamid, an advocacy group in Frankfurt for survivors of sexual abuse, from left to right, Haleli Shomer Shalom, Roglit Ishay, Daniela Shemer and Niels Gerhardt. (Courtesy Or Tamid via JTA)
March 29, 2025, 10:27 am
Frankfurt Jewish community launches its own sexual abuse hotline amid crises and pressure
Unprecedented third-party hotline will protect 400 employees of local institutions, after advocacy by activist group; national Jewish group may also set up a wider system
By Toby Axelrod
This image released by the IDF on January 20, 2024, shows the inside of a cell in a Hamas tunnel in southern Gaza's Khan Younis where hostages were held. (Israel Defense Forces)
December 29, 2024, 12:03 pm
Teens forced to perform sexual acts on each other: Report to UN details Hamas torture
Government document compiles grim details of abuse of hostages, including whipping, branding with heated iron, isolation, binding, starving, maltreatment and psychological torment
By Michael Bachner and Diana Bletter
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