Although Rabbi Baruch Lanner, a convicted sex offender, was not allowed into "Israel", advocate groups say that about 100 rabbis, teachers, and other figures accused or convicted of sexual abuse have found refuge in "Israel", as reported by Haaretz.

Israeli Interior Minister, Ayelet Shaked, revealed that the Rabbi would not be granted "Israeli citizenship", sparking a wave of relief among women who have been formerly abused by Lanner in the United States. 

However, Lanner, who was convicted of abusing a student in 2002, has an Israeli "residency visa" that allows him to remain in "Israel" and that can be repeatedly extended, Haaretz revealed. 

"Tip of the iceberg"

Marcie Lenk, a woman who lived in "Israel", talked about her history with the rabbi.

She explained that when she was a leader in the National Conference of Synagogue Youth, her complaints to senior rabbis against Lanner were ignored. 

Lenk moved to testify against him in a 1989 religious court and was a source in the breakthrough New York Jewish Week exposé about him 11 years later. 

"Withholding citizenship is an important statement but it is mostly symbolic, since Lanner will still be able to live and work here. Without a registry of sexual predators in Israel, how will people know to be careful around him?" she wondered. 

Shana Aaronson, who was working to prevent Lanner's "immigration" in her capacity as executive director at "Magen for Jewish Communities," described the rabbi as only the "tip of the iceberg." 

She revealed that around 100 rabbis, teachers, and figures who were accused and convicted of sexual abuse abroad found refuge in "Israel".

According to Aaronson, even if they are convicted offenders, there is no mechanism in place in "Israel" to monitor their movements or alert the public.  

Read next: Report Shows Increase in Child Sex Abuse Cases in "Israel": Media

Another woman, P., said, "I'm not comfortable with Lanner living in Israel and that we won't be notified where he lives, with the possibility that he could move into my neighborhood."

She is concerned that "the next government will grant him citizenship or extend his visa - that could too easily happen. It is unsettling." 

P. highlighted a major flaw in the occupation ministry's thinking on Lanner, who is still able to retain his residency status despite being prevented from Israeli citizenship. 

Many people petitioned the Interior Ministry not to award the "Israeli citizenship" to Lanner who is able to retain his "residency status".

However, the Ministry had not responded to a request for comment.

Israeli Ministry of Welfare data revealed that in 2019 and 2020, "Israel" saw an increase in child sex abuse, and nearly half of them were committed by family members. pic.twitter.com/R5tUJjYumf

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) November 2, 2021