Sentence of 4 years imprisonment imposed on Shalom Hazan, a recognized community rabbi in Jerusalem, for offenses committed by two children and two girls

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The Jerusalem District Court today sentenced four years to Shalom Hazan, a community rabbi and a well-known synagogue in the city, for sexual offenses committed by four minors aged 6-12. Cantor was convicted of offenses he committed against four children and girls who came to him to study Torah. Now Hazan will compensate the minors who have been injured for NIS 40,000.

The indictment was filed about a year ago, and attributed him to numerous indecent acts in children. The indictment details indicate that he used to meet with the victims in his synagogue when during sexual encounters he sexually harassed them in various ways and immediately paid them cash amounts. Among other things, he sat the children and girls on his knees, felt them and kissed them. Rabbi Hazan claimed that he did not hurt the complainants but rather referred to them as "loving grandfather" and that his whole intention was only to help them.

Attorney Shimrit Wolf of the Jerusalem District Attorney responded to the sentencing: "A community rabbi who is supposed to be a backer, support and comfort to the general public, including children, has become aggressive and abusive. He bought the children with a gift - developed this method and hit the boy after boy, girl after girl. The accused took advantage of his power and status, the admiration they felt for him, thereby violating the human right to his body. "

Director of the Council for the Peace of the Child, Adv. Vered Windman, has been upset over the sentence sentenced by the court: "Sentencing is outrageous. Such lenient punishment for those who sexually harm children is not only unjust, but is harmful and gives a wrong message to the victims of the offense. The Child Peace Council will appeal to the State Attorney's Office for stricter punishment to appeal the sentence, stop being shocked and begin to change the perception of the legal system so that significant and uncompromising punishment can lead to a permanent and stable government in Jerusalem. The casualties in the eyes. "