Netanyahu Strikes Deal With Accused Rabbi, Party Quits Knesset Race

The Achi party, led by Rabbi Chaim Yosef David Abirgel, has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming Knesset elections, as its polling numbers failed to surpass the electoral threshold. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Abirgel, who was arrested last year on suspicion of sexual offenses against women and children, and congratulated him on the decision.

According to a Likud statement, an agreement was reached with the Achi movement that a deputy minister would be appointed to the Prime Minister's Office, either from the Likud faction or from the Achi party, to "advance common principles." The Likud party welcomed Achi's withdrawal, calling it an "important act" and stating that "we must not waste any votes on parties that do not pass the electoral threshold."

Last year, during a court hearing regarding Abirgel's detention, a police representative stated that Abirgel "committed serious sexual offenses against minors." The representative also noted that associates of the rabbi and members of his community in Netivot pressured victims and their families, to the point of harassment, to prevent them from filing complaints. The police described Abirgel as a "well-known, revered figure of significance."

Previous reports from Ynet and Channel 12 detailed testimonies from several women accusing the rabbi of sexual misconduct. One woman recounted being 12 when the rabbi discussed intimate topics and instructed her to touch herself sexually. Another alleged that the rabbi locked his office, embraced and kissed her against her will, and lifted her shirt, offering her cash afterward and asking for secrecy. Testimonies also described Abirgel asking young women about intimate and sexual matters, and in one instance, allegedly asking two teenage girls to perform sexual acts with each other in front of him. The women reported that Abirgel's aides were aware of his actions and offered money to complainants for their silence, disguised as funding for therapy.