Sex Offender Accused Seeks Public Prayer During High Holidays

Haim Rotter, accused of severe sex offenses against minors and young adults, has requested permission to pray in a crowded synagogue during the upcoming High Holidays. Rotter, chairman of the "HaShomrim" organization and a well-known figure in Bnei Brak, was released to electronic house arrest just three weeks ago by the Tel Aviv District Court. He faces a serious indictment from July 2025, including charges of rape and indecent acts against four complainants, one of whom was 15 at the time of the alleged offenses. Following testimony from the victims, Rotter was initially released to house arrest, with the Supreme Court later ordering his release to a location at least 20 kilometers from Bnei Brak. However, one of the complainants in the case, who filed a complaint two months prior, attends a yeshiva near Rotter's current house arrest location in Jerusalem. Rotter's current request is to spend extended hours in a crowded synagogue, attended by men and children, during the High Holidays. The "Magen" aid center stated that holidays and prayers should not justify easing the conditions for an accused sex offender with high dangerousness, emphasizing the justice system's primary duty to protect the public and victims. They warned that Rotter's release into public spaces, especially during crowded holidays, constitutes abandoning public safety and severely harming victims, urging the court to reject the request outright and affirm that public safety is paramount even during holidays.