Former MK Oren Hazan in Tears Over Alleged Abuse at Ariel Daycare

Former Knesset member Oren Hazan broke down in tears during a television interview, describing alleged severe abuse of infants and toddlers at a private daycare in Ariel. Hazan, whose children attended the facility, called it one of the most horrific abuse cases in Israel's history, stating that "the country will tremble when the videos are released." He detailed alleged actions including slamming children on the floor and walls, starvation, suffocation, and punching, with the most extreme cruelty involving binding children and suffocating them until unconscious to silence them.

The daycare, dubbed "Satan's dwelling," is under investigation following a report by a counselor who noticed unusual behavior. Security camera footage has revealed hundreds of alleged violent incidents, with police identifying 187 incidents attributed to caregiver Drina Khalfa, 77 to caregiver Anna Peglaski, and 18 to manager Natalia Kisilevsky. Some incidents involved slamming, shaking, hitting, binding, and obstructing children's airways. Police noted over 30 incidents on some days, describing the acts as occurring "day and hour by hour."

The investigation was prompted after a counselor alerted the police. The names of the suspected manager, Natalia Kisilevsky, and caregivers Drina Khalfa and Anna Peglaski have been released. Khalfa is also suspected of attempting to delete videos on the day police removed cameras. The court has allowed the publication of their identities as the investigation progresses.

Hazan expressed his shock, recounting how his own children appeared happy and clean when he picked them up, unaware of the alleged abuse, including being denied food for entire days. He urged other parents to heed warning signs and report any suspicions, calling it "the mission of my life today."

The case draws parallels to the 2018 Carmel Mauda daycare abuse scandal in Rosh Ha'ayin, where Mauda was convicted and sentenced to nine and a half years for abusing infants. In the current Ariel case, the investigation is ongoing, and criminal responsibility is yet to be determined. The Magistrate's Court in Petah Tikva has permitted the publication of the suspects' identities, and a prosecutor's statement may be filed soon, potentially leading to indictments. The maximum sentence for child abuse in Israel is nine years, with potential for a longer combined sentence for multiple offenses.