Telegram Group Rates and Harasses Women, Including Minors, Amid Police Inaction
Zohar Meller from the media outlet "Under the Radar" revealed the existence of a Telegram group with thousands of members that ranks photos of women, some of whom are minors. In an interview on the "Kan B'Shesh" program on Tuesday, Meller described the disturbing phenomenon, noting that Telegram has become a neglected platform where such harmful activities occur unnoticed. The group, with about 4,500 male members, evaluates women's appearances, makes sexual comments, and spreads false accusations that some are involved in prostitution or have psychiatric issues. Personal details, including phone numbers, are sometimes shared within the group.
Meller emphasized that the women targeted are ordinary individuals who post content on social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok. Despite the group members claiming to oppose pedophilia and even calling for the death penalty for offenders, their conversations reveal sexualized references to girls who are minors or barely adults, including 16-year-olds and those in school uniforms.
A recorded conversation with the group's administrator, Hazi Tenenbaum, aired during the interview, in which he claimed that "99% of Jewish girls work secretly as prostitutes, including many Arab women," asserting they have sex for money. Meller expressed shock at this sweeping statement.
Meller also shared accounts from women who discovered their photos and personal information in the group. Many reported their cases to the police but faced dismissive responses, repeated demands to file complaints in various ways, and frequent summons without progress or updates. The men in the group are aware that law enforcement shows little interest, viewing the group as "just" an online activity without serious harassment, despite the severe emotional impact on the victims.
This exposure follows a related case involving a 16-year-old who traded nude photos for tens of thousands of shekels, highlighting ongoing issues of sexual exploitation and blackmail in the region.
