Hamakor, Channel 13's investigative journalism program, has been granted court permission to air an episode featuring Hagit Cohen, the sister of Lt. Col. Yonatan Rubin, who heads the burial department in the military rabbinate.
Cohen accuses Rubin of committing a series of sex crimes against her 30 years ago.
Prior to the broadcast, Yonatan Rubin released an open letter admitting to the accusations. He stated that the alleged actions occurred when he was a minor.
Eighteen years ago, Rubin reached out to the Takana forum, which investigates sex crimes in the religious sector, taking responsibility for his actions. He underwent therapy under the supervision of Chief Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu of Safed.
Meanwhile, an employee of the military rabbinate pointed out numerous inaccuracies in the journalistic investigation. He claimed that Rubin was wrongly credited with actions he did not commit. The lieutenant colonel asserts that he underwent a lie detector test, which indicated that he committed offenses as a minor, but they did not include rape, contrary to Hamakor's claims.
IDF Chief Rabbi Eyal Krim emphasized that sexual crimes are unacceptable and deserving of condemnation. He stated that the army was unaware of Rubin's past incidents, which occurred before his service in the military rabbinate. Rabbi Krim described Rubin as a talented, energetic, and dedicated employee.
