Baruch Hashem the voice of the Lehava organization that combats missionaries in Eretz Yisrael was heard by police, with the latter moving in against cult members that worked to persuade and brainwash Jewish women R”L, who were at times given drugs, to have relations with Arab men towards hastening the redemption.

The four main leaders of the cult have been taken into custody, including a 60-year-old Kiryat Arba man and a 40-year-old woman from the same community. Also in custody are a 47-year-old man from Ashkelon and a 39-year-old Jerusalem women. Additional arrests have been made.

Lehava leaders Bentzi and Anat Gupstein handed over the information they amassed during their investigation to Shai (Shomron-Yehuda) district police. Police were not quick to react but after sufficient evidence was presented accompanied by ongoing persuasion, they ordered an investigation which lasted for four months, culminating in the arrests.

The leaders of the cult were paid by the Arab men who had relations with the women, often using drugs and alcohol to achieve their goal.

Channel 2 correspondent Moshe Nussbaum adds that the cult targeted baalei teshuvah and they worked to have Jewish women to have relations with any non-Jew, not specifically an Arab. At times other non-Jews played that role. He adds the main suspect in custody is denying the allegations against him despite the evidence amassed in the case. Nussbaum reports at present there are a few dozen victims but police believe with the breaking of the case and publication of the suspects, others are likely to step forward too.

Gupstein told the media that the women involved are good people and B”H most have returned to a life of Yiddishkheit explaining they were innocent and manipulated.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)