By Linda Gradstein/The Media LineAn Israeli judge sparked an outcry during the hearing of a 19-year-old Israeli woman who was raped by four Palestinians when she was 13. The woman was petitioning the court for the rape to be considered “an act of terror” which would make her eligible for government compensation.
“Some girls enjoy being raped,” Judge Nissim Yeshaya of the District Court in Tel Aviv said, according to Army Radio.
The rape victim was not in the room for the hearing. Her attorney, Roni Aloni-Adovnik described the scene to Army Radio. “In the midst of the passionate debate he (Judge Yeshaya) suddenly said aloud, in earshot of everyone present, “There are some girls who enjoy being raped.” The room fell into silence….And he didn’t even get what he had just said. He didn’t understand why everyone became silent all of a sudden.”
Israeli press reports said the plaintiff collapsed after her lawyer told her about the judge's remarks and was hospitalized.
Judge Yeshaya said his remarks had been misconstrued.
“This isn’t serious,” he said after the remarks became public. “They are trying to gain publicity off me. I do not believe a rape victim is not hurt or that rape is not a serious offense.”
Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu called the remark “unfortunate” and “unacceptable” and said he was withdrawing his support for the judge’s appointment as the head of the Likud Party’s Court.
Women’s groups circulated petitions calling for his immediate resignation.
“It’s outrageous – these people are supposed to deciding the fate of these women and they don’t have the faintest idea of what it means to be a victim of sexual assault,” Miriam Schler, director of the Tel Aviv Sexual Assault Crisis Center told The Media Line. “It sheds light on the level of ignorance that exists in all of these different institutions.”
She said that the Crisis Centers throughout Israel received more than 40,000 calls from women reporting sexual assault last year. Of those, fewer than 20 percent filed a claim. Of those who did file a claim more than 75 percent of the cases were dismissed.
“Women don’t trust the system,” she said. “These incidents (the judge’s remarks) give them even less reason to trust it.”
Israeli MK Aliza Lavie said Judge Yeshaya must resign immediately.
“A judge who holds such an opinion cannot sit in court even one more hour,” she said. “I call on the Justice Minister to dismiss the judge immediately.”
The issue of rape in Israel gained prominence when former President Moshe Katzav was sentenced to seven years in prison for two counts of rape in 2011. He is currently in jail.
Some feminist advocates said the Katzav case shows that Israel is changing.
“Things have changed over the past ten years,” Elana Sztokman, the director of the Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance told The Media Line. “In the Katzav case, several women came out publicly with tremendous courage. Even in this case of the judge, people are reacting to this and not taking it sitting down.”
The judge’s remarks exploded on Facebook and Twitter, sparking anger among women all over Israel.
“Judge Nissim Yeshaya: "Neanderthal" is too good of a species to begin to describe what species you belong to! You, Judge Yeshaya, are a disgrace and you have brought dishonor to the title judge!” Isa Ben Rafael, the former foreign press liason officer at the Government Press Office told The Media Line. “I hope they succeed in preventing you from ever entering a court room again. You Sir, are lower than the whale waste at the bottom of the ocean! SHAME ON YOU!”
UPDATE: AP reports that Judge Nissim Yeshaya has resigned amid the outcry at his comments. Israel's justice minister and the president of the Supreme Court announced on Wednesday that Yeshaya had expressed his desire to leave his post.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
The Wartime Updates You Need To Know
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
HuffPost is dedicated to covering the devastating war between Hamas and Israel. We've broken news on the famine in Gaza, the State Department's turmoil, as well as what Hamas is thinking now — and we're far from done. HuffPost is committed to bringing you the critical updates you need to know. Would you consider contributing as little as $2 to support our reporting? Thank you for your support.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.