Founder of ZAKA, Israeli Prize winner accused of rape, sexual assualt

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Haaretz newspaper reported Thursday on allegations of sexual assault, rape and abuse against Yehuda Meshi Zahav – co-founder and chairman of emergency response group ZAKA and spokesman of the Israeli Prestigios Prize.

According to the exposé, Meshi-Zahav’s alleged crimes were a public experience in the Haredi community, especially around Jerusalem’s ultra-orthodox neighborhoods of Mea Shearim, Shmuel Hanavi and Sanhedrin.

The earliest testimonies go as far back as the 1980s and tell of a man who regularly took advantage of status, power, money and even the group he leads to attack children, boys , girls and women.

First responder, who he won the Israel Prize a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Israeli society last month was investigated in early 2010s on suspicion of sexual assault, but the woman refused to file a complaint and the investigation was closed due to a lack of evidence .

According to the woman, Meshi Zahav promised her financial support to get close to her and then raped her when they were both alone.

“He took off my clothes with force,” said the woman, adding that she had begged him to stop as he was forcing her on herself. “He said ‘If you speak, a ZAKA jeep will run over you’

Another accused is a 41-year-old male man who claims he was sexually assaulted by Meshi Zahav when he was sixteen. Meshi Zahav was 36 at the time.

“Everyone close to him in those years knew that I was the protective boy I was. I became a prostitute in every sense of the word,” the man said.

He said he received special “gifts” from Meshi Zahav for his silence, such as trips to Tel Aviv to meet prostitutes.

Another accused is a 26-year-old man who claims he was assaulted by Meshi Zahav when he was just 5 years old.

“He taught me in the synagogue.” He would sit on my lap and rub my genes, “the man told Haaretz in his testimony.

Haaretz said that there appear to be many more Meshi Zahav victims who have not yet come forward.

Meshi Zahav issued a reply in which he denied the allegations against him.

“I received a call from the Haaretz newspaper for the first time on Thursday afternoon. The call contained vague and anonymous allegations that go back decades. I will immediately make it clear that they are only false. , “said Meshi Zahav.

“Ever since I won the Israel Prize, I have been at the heart of a number of telephone risks. After my parents died, some asked me to rejoice at death. Others spat at me as I walked down the street. Unfortunately, this is part of the price I pay for my chosen route. The publication of the article is an attempt to settle the score with me, ”he said.

“As long as my strength allows, I will continue to serve the people of Israel and the State of Israel as I have done all my life.”

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