Former 'Amudei HaShalom' Leader Moshe Yizdi Sentenced to 18 Years for Abuse

The Jerusalem District Court has sentenced Rabbi Moshe Yizdi, former head of the "Amudei HaShalom" (Pillars of Peace) community, to 18 years in prison. Yizdi was convicted of severe offenses against women, including fraud and sexual offenses against two of the eight complainants in the original indictment. He led religious classes for those returning to religious observance, where he instructed women seeking his guidance to fully submit to his demands, claiming it was necessary to correct "sparks of impurity."

The court found that Yizdi systematically exploited his religious and social authority, exploiting power imbalances and the deep trust placed in him by the victims. The judges noted that Yizdi also exploited the women financially, demanding large sums of money for unclear purposes, leveraging their trust.

In their ruling, the judges dismissed Yizdi's testimony and denials as unreliable, stating he behaved manipulatively and that his claim of suffering from a mental illness was entirely unfounded. The verdict was delivered following the court's earlier conviction in March.