A harasser - a man whose identity is not yet known - is calling dozens of women of Abrechim who live in Haredi communities in Jerusalem, Beit Shemesh, Modi'in Illit, Beitar Illit, Ashdod and Ofakim, introducing himself as a "contractor", emphasizing that their husbands are Abrechim - and offering them thousands of shekels in exchange for connections with him.
According to a report by Liran Tamari on the Ynet website, some of those women were asked to speak in a whisper, while others heard him suggest that they commit particularly serious acts.
Despite the complaints that have accumulated with the police, the investigation is at an impasse. At the same time, some of the victims have testified to disdainful treatment by the police - which even prevents them from filing a complaint - while they claim that they are continuing to work to locate the suspect.
Several recordings that reached Ynet reveal the harasser's patterns of action and the severity of the acts he committed.
The same harasser calls women, takes an interest in their lives and financial situation, and presents himself as someone who distributes "donations to families of young people." In the conversations, he offers "monthly support" of thousands of shekels in exchange for meetings with him - sometimes using particularly vulgar language.
In a recording with one woman, the harasser is heard saying: "We have an organization that supports families of Abrechim, this is a financial donation to 10 families once a month for six months because the husband is Abrechim. There are families that need help with living, rent or debts, I am the donor. I call once a month and donate. I was supposed to call last week and I couldn't, this is an opportunity.".
The woman asked, "Have you spoken to my husband?""
The harasser confirmed: "Yes, yes. He told me, 'Talk to her.'" At this point, he uttered a blunt expression.
The woman asked: "How much is the donation?""
He replied: "There are families, the husband studies all day, I help. It could be help with debt or clothing. I only donate money, to be clear. You probably know me, I'm Friedman who builds in the Haredi sector.".
At this point the woman asked: "Can I call in 5 more minutes?" He asked: "Why?""
When she explained that she was with her children, he replied: "You're last, I won't call if you don't want help, everything's fine. It's a shame to miss this." The woman replied, "Yes, yes..." and he asked: "How much do you need per month? How much will help you?""
At this point the woman hung up the call.
The documents include appeals to other women in financial distress.
Attorney Meir Cohen Zedah, who represents some of the women, sent a scathing letter to the police: "I have made this appeal on behalf of many complainants and on behalf of the Haredi public that has been harmed, with an unequivocal request and demand for the immediate opening of a criminal investigation. The suspect's pattern of action is clear: he poses as a 'contractor' who assists the families of the Avrechim, offers financial support of 3,000-6,000 shekels per month and demands compensation while using blunt language.
""Some of the women did not initially understand the meaning of his words and thought it was an innocent offer of assistance. We know of many other women who have received inquiries from him, but refrain from complaining after being treated disparagingly by the police. Refusing to take action is a serious violation of the state's duty to protect its citizens.".
The police told Ynet: "Upon receiving the complaints, the police opened an investigation in which a variety of technological operations were carried out in order to trace the phone number from which calls were received to the victims and to locate suspects, but without any findings. We continue to investigate the cases professionally and with the tools at our disposal, in order to reach the truth.".
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