Of Tarts and Rapists
Two high profile cases in Israel have spotlighted the issue of proving sex crimes. Judging such cases is a challenge which has existed for thousands of years, and is discussed in the week’s Torah portion (Vayeshev). Major General Uri Bar-Lev is a top candidate to be Israel ’s next Police Commissioner, the top dog in the Police hierarchy. This career move has been challenged, and probably successfully torpedoed, as a result of allegations against Bar-Lev of sex crimes, brought by two women, one of whom has gone public – Dr Orly Innes. Lurid narratives have been published pointing to Bar-Lev’s alleged rape of Dr Innes, and of a still-anonymous second woman (“M”). On the other hand, Bar-Lev’s defenders have alleged these relationships were consenting – indeed a ménage a trois. Meantime, the spotlight is also returning to the lingering case of ex-President of Israel , Moshe Katsav. After two years of scandal and allegations, Moshe Katsav's t...