Tel Aviv principal, 5 teachers suspected of abusing dozens of kids

Police said Monday they had arrested a school principal and five teachers on suspicion of serious sexual and physical abuse of dozens of young pupils at a religious school in Tel Aviv.

The arrests came after a month-long undercover operation over suspicions of abuse against the children, aged 6-7 at the time, during the years 2005-2010.

Police questioned dozens of children and their parents, as well as welfare workers and psychologists.

One of the detainees is suspected of serious indecent assault of pupils, including some incidents that happened during lessons.

The other five are suspected of hitting pupils for disobedience, the Hebrew-language Ynet website reported.

Police said that suspicions of wrongdoing at the school were raised a number of years ago, but the matter had not led to an investigation until now.

The suspects are to be brought before Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday for a remand hearing.