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ISRAEL AT WAR - DAY 584

Yehuda Meshi-Zahav

Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, co-founder of ZAKA, speaks at a conference in Jerusalem, March 7, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
June 29, 2022, 8:37 am
Meshi-Zahav dies a year after attempting suicide amid rape allegations
Police were reportedly set to arrest ZAKA founder before he tried to hang himself in April 2021; he was accused of dozens of sexual assaults, including against minors
By ToI Staff
A hotline responder works at the Tahel, Crisis Center for Religious Women and Children, in Jerusalem on January 5, 2022. - "Lo Tishtok" - Hebrew for "You shall not be silent" - is a phrase gaining momentum among ultra-Orthodox Jews, or Haredim, who are being forced to reckon with claims of serious crimes, including sexual abuse of children, against several of their cultural icons. (Photo by AHMAD GHARABLI / AFP)
January 13, 2022, 5:45 am
As sexual abuse cases hit ultra-Orthodox community, some vow to be silent no longer
Insular community struggling to deal with several high profile cases of prominent people being accused of abuse, with counselors seeing a rise in the number willing to speak out
By Alexandra Vardi and Michael Blum
Chaim Walder in 2011. (CC BY-SA Yoninah/Wikimedia Commons)
November 14, 2021, 1:57 am
Celebrated Haredi children’s author accused of sexually abusing teen girls
Newspaper investigation brings three cases in which educator Chaim Walder allegedly took advantage of young women; Walder says claims ‘amount to a blood libel’
By ToI Staff
Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, former chairman of Israel's ZAKA rescue unit, poses for a photo in the ultra-Orthodox neighborhood of Mea Shearim, Jerusalem, January 19, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
April 23, 2021, 10:42 am
Before suicide attempt, ZAKA founder said to have faced arrest ‘within days’
Reports say authorities have a number of cases against Yehuda Meshi-Zahav within the statute of limitations; TV program reveals harrowing new sexual assault allegations
By ToI Staff
Yehuda Meshi Zahav poses for a picture in Jerusalem on January 19, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
April 22, 2021, 10:43 am
ZAKA founder, an alleged serial rapist, rushed to hospital after suicide attempt
Yehuda Meshi-Zahav tries to hang himself less than 2 months after bombshell reports of allegations against him
By Jacob Magid
Yehuda Meshi-Zahav (L) with his father Menahem Meshi-Zahav (R), in an undated photo. (Courtesy: ZAKA spokesperson)
March 20, 2021, 6:23 am
Alleged victim says rabbis stopping sexual abuse complaints against Meshi-Zahav
Man says knowledge of ZAKA founder’s actions was widespread in ultra-Orthodox community, but spiritual leaders continue to warn against ‘informing’ to secular authorities
By ToI Staff
Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, then head of Israel's ZAKA rescue service, center, stands stands at the scene of a shooting attack by a Palestinian gunman, in Jerusalem, Oct. 13, 2015. (AP Photo Oded Balilty, File)
March 19, 2021, 5:01 am
In latest allegation, woman says ZAKA founder Meshi-Zahav assaulted her in 2014
Alleged victim’s account falls within legal statute of limitations but she hasn’t filed police report; in new audio clip, emergency service founder appears to organize group sex
By ToI Staff
Yehuda Meshi Zahav poses for a picture in Jerusalem on January 19, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 18, 2021, 9:39 pm
Court papers shine light on suspicions that embattled ZAKA founder duped donors
Judge-appointed trustees said company owned by Yehuda Meshi-Zahav posed as rescue charity to raise money, but only transferred some of it; reports allege rest went to slush fund
By Simona Weinglass and Sue Surkes
ZAKA Chairman Yehuda Meshi-Zahav (2L) gives the Israel team a final briefing before they depart for Ethiopia, March 10, 2018. (Courtesy)
March 18, 2021, 4:32 am
ZAKA officials suspected of financial fraud, misdirecting funds — report
TV investigation is latest blow to rescue organization after co-founder Yehuda Meshi-Zahav stepped aside amid sexual assault allegations
By ToI Staff
Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, chairman of Israel's ZAKA rescue unit, speaks at a conference of the Israeli Television News Company in Jerusalem on March 7, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 17, 2021, 3:22 pm
First official sexual assault complaint filed against ZAKA founder
Accusation of attempted rape by Yehuda Meshi-Zahav is apparently beyond statute of limitations, but could be used to bolster other allegations
By ToI Staff
Yehuda Meshi Zahav speaks at a conference in Jerusalem, March 7, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 17, 2021, 12:43 am
Meshi-Zahav will claim all relations consensual in sex crimes case, report says
ZAKA founder, accused of serial sexual abuse, previously denied all claims outright; reports say first official police complaint expected to be filed on Wednesday
By ToI Staff
Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, co-founder of ZAKA, speaks at a conference in Jerusalem, March 7, 2021. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
March 16, 2021, 1:07 am
Police said to suspect ZAKA officials hushed reports of founder’s alleged crimes
Members of emergency services organization to be questioned by investigators, report says; public figures knew about alleged misconduct, kept quiet
By ToI Staff
Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, head of Israel's ZAKA emergency services unit, at the scene of a suicide bombing. (Flash90/File)
March 15, 2021, 8:07 pm
ZAKA founder goes to police to deny sexual abuse accusations, is turned away
Police tell Yehuda Meshi-Zahav they’re not summoning him for questioning yet; ‘modesty patrol’ member says abuse by the ‘ultra-Orthodox Jeffrey Epstein’ was well known
By ToI Staff
Yehuda Meshi-Zahav. (courtesy of ZAKA)
March 14, 2021, 10:14 pm
Police open sex abuse investigation into ZAKA founder
Decision comes 1.5 years after police received tip regarding Yehuda Meshi-Zahav, but chose to investigate who was behind letter rather than probe alleged abuser
By ToI Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during his meeting with the prime minister of Hungary, Viktor Orbán and Prime Minister of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis, in Jerusalem, on March 11, 2021. (Abir Sultan/Pool Photo via AP)
March 14, 2021, 2:13 pm
Podcast: Daily Briefing Mar. 14 – Tangled Israel-Jordan relations get knottier
Tune in Sunday through Thursday to hear ToI editors and reporters quickly catch you up on what’s important today
By ToI Staff
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