Content warning: This article contains detailed descriptions of sexual abuse, including abuse of minors, which some readers may find distressing
Israeli authorities are investigating multiple cases of sexual abuse involving children, soldiers, and religious figures, some of which allegedly took place under the guise of military "traditions" or religious rituals.
On Tuesday, Israeli military police arrested seven active-duty soldiers from the Arrow air defence unit on suspicion of physical, psychological, and sexual abuse against fellow soldiers.
According to Israel's Ynet news site, the alleged offences occurred during so-called "seniority games", an informal military practice in which older soldiers impose humiliating or violent acts on new recruits, often framed as pranks or unofficial initiation rituals.
The assaults reportedly went on for weeks, targeting around ten new soldiers, and included possible rape.
The suspects were brought before a military court at the Beit Lid base on Wednesday. While some of the suspects claim the acts were consensual or carried out "in jest", the investigation began after one soldier came forward, revealing a series of incidents within the unit.
Investigators are now also looking into whether some of the assaults occurred during Israel's military campaign against Iran, when the unit was meant to be on high operational alert.
Children raped over decades in ultra-Orthodox community
Separately, dozens of complaints have been submitted via a hotline against a prominent ultra-Orthodox figure in the city of Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv.
Chaim Rotter, who heads the Shomrim patrol, a private security organisation that operates in Bnei Brak in coordination with rabbis and law enforcement in the Haredi-majority city, is accused of sexually assaulting and raping boys over a period of more than 25 years, according to Israeli media reports.
Rotter was arrested at Ben Gurion Airport last weekend and remains in custody. According to complaints cited by Ynet and Israel's Kan public broadcaster, Rotter exploited his position of influence over young Haredi boys, who admired him and joined him on patrols, to carry out repeated assaults.
One alleged victim shouted in court during a custody hearing: "He's the devil. He raped me. He's evil."
The victims, who were as young as 12, accused Rotter of systematic abuse, including rape and exploiting his authority.
More than ten formal complaints have been filed, with the number expected to rise.
Police have also arrested close associates of Rotter, including Yoel Yosef, a member of the same group, for allegedly trying to pressure victims into withdrawing complaints.
Yossi Rotherman, a lawyer representing several victims, has filed a police report after receiving threats on his life.
Survivors describe ritual abuse and cover-ups
These cases echo earlier testimonies of ritualistic sexual abuse in Israeli society.
At a parliamentary committee meeting in June on the status of women, several survivors gave harrowing accounts of assaults carried out as part of what they described as "sadistic sexual rituals".
Victims said they were abused by public figures, including current and former members of the Knesset.
One of the most striking testimonies came from Yael Ariel, who told the committee she was abused in ritual ceremonies from the age of five until she was twenty.
In an interview with Channel 13, Ariel said: "I experienced violence and sadism. I know of senior officials who took part, including current and former MKs."
She added that the abuse included being forced to harm other children. "They told us that if we spoke out, no one would believe us," she said.
Ariel's testimony mentioned the case of Shoshana Strook, the daughter of Israeli Minister of settlement Orit Strook, who said in a video in March she had been sexually abused by both her parents.
In the same June Knesset hearing, another woman identified only as "Ayin" said she approached law enforcement with her testimony but was dismissed multiple times.
Despite submitting an audio recording of one alleged abuser admitting to the assault, she said police had failed to investigate.
Yael Shitrit, another survivor, described abuse beginning at age three, involving both family members and caregivers.
"You have no idea what ritual abuse is. The human brain cannot comprehend it. You can’t imagine what it means to program a three-year-old girl through rape and sadism so they can do whatever they want without anyone knowing," she said.
Some professionals believe the severity of the abuse makes it difficult for authorities to believe victims.
Danny Brom, a clinical psychologist, said: "Some don’t believe there are people sadistic enough to do this."
Naama Goldberg, director of NGO Lo Omdot MeNegged (Hebrew for "Not Standing Idly By") supporting survivors of sexual abuse and prostitution, said the claims of ritual abuse had circulated for years.
"Descriptions include gang rapes, sometimes with women involved, drug use, and symbolic rituals. Some of it was filmed. There was a clear power motive," she said.
Goldberg added that she submitted written testimonies from five women to the police but never received a response.
Police have denied allegations of negligence.
Anat Yakir, head of the victims unit in Israel police, said all files were being reviewed by the elite Lahav 433 unit, known as the Israeli FBI, which handles serious organised crime and sexual offences.