Inside Israel’s Hidden Crisis of Ritual Child Abuse

Is there more to the Epstein case than we think?

“You have no idea what ritual abuse is. The human brain cannot comprehend… 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.”

— Yael Shitrit, survivor testimony before the Knesset

Although I know about child abuse and the rampant child human trafficking going on in the world, especially with the Epstein case being everywhere these days, this story still shook me, and I haven’t seen anyone else talking about it.

On June 3-4, 2025, the Israeli Knesset held a special session on stories of ritualized child abuse. They shared about doctors, educators, police, and even both current and former Knesset members performed sadistic sexual ceremonies involving minors.

The survivors described “ceremonies” where children were trafficked from one ritual to another, surrounded by naked men in a circle, under the thin veil of spirituality.

What Is Ritual Abuse?

Ritual abuse refers to systematic, repeated exploitation involving symbolic or ceremonial dimensions, typically under religious or cult-like justification. Unlike other abuse cases, these are organized, purposeful, and structured.

In Israel’s recent hearings, survivors recounted chilling patterns:

– Formal ceremonies with coordinated participants.

– Alleged involvement of public officials.

– Acts designed to program vulnerable children through rape and torture.

These testimonies follow similar patterns seen in high-profile cases abroad. However, this is the first time survivors have publicly linked such abuse to state-connected figures.

Case Study: Lev Tahor—From Israel to Guatemala

This crisis goes far beyond isolated ritual abuse, overlapping with international child trafficking under the guise of religious community relocation. The sect Lev Tahor provides a stark example:

– In December 2024, Guatemalan police rescued 160 children and 40 women from a Lev Tahor compound.

– Prosecutor Nancy Paiz confirmed the presence of human trafficking, forced marriage, and abuse.

– The group—originating in Israel in 1988—has fled across Canada, Mexico, and Guatemala.

– In early 2025, El Salvador extradited Lev Tahor leaders to Guatemala.

Lev Tahor reveals how religious extremism can facilitate transnational trafficking,

necessitating enhanced child protection and international cooperation.

Systemic Inertia: Institutions That Protected Abusers

Survivors describe a network of institutional silence and active cover-up:

• Police inaction despite repeated formal complaints.
• Community pressures silencing victims.
• Complicity by doctors, educators, and politicians.
• A special intelligence unit was formed only after public hearings.

These failures show reluctance to act within religious communities and a bias favoring authority over children.

Survivor Voices

Survivors shared powerful, painful truths:

“From age five to age 20, I was harmed in these ceremonies… I received threats after revealing my story.” — Yael Ariel

“They moved me from ceremony to ceremony… naked men stood in a circle… Their trafficking of me happened all over the country.” — Yael Shitrit

These were not isolated stories – many survivors described torture, recordings, drug use, and powerful perpetrators. These testimonies are the first cracks in a long-standing silence on this issue that permeates our society and world – and no one seems to be talking about it.

Cults, Trafficking, and International Networks

Ritual abuse in Israel is linked to international trafficking. Lev Tahor is a glaring example:

– 160 children rescued in Guatemala in 2024.

– Leaders deported and extradited on trafficking charges.

– Israel sent legal teams to assist with international coordination.

This case reveals how abuse is exported globally under religious pretexts and stresses the urgency of cross-border child protection enforcement.

According to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime:

• Children make up more than a third of all trafficking victims globally.
• Nearly 8 out of 10 child victims are girls, most trafficked for sexual exploitation.
• The global trafficking economy brings in over $150 billion annually.

Call to Action: From Silence to Accountability

None of this is speculation – the testimonies, raids, and prosecutions confirm that this abuse happened and continues, and they deserve to be heard.

Share this piece. Support survivors. Demand justice. We should all do our part – however small it might seem.