Beit Shemesh high school teacher held for sexual assault

The 40-year-old Jewish teacher, who denies the charges, has been placed under house arrest.

By ETGAR LEFKOVITS
A Beit Shemesh high school teacher, suspected of sexually molesting at least one male student and sexually harassing several female students at school, was detained by police on Monday. The 40-year-old teacher, who denied the charges, has been placed under house arrest and ordered to stay away from all educational institutions for the next 30 days, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said. The police investigation began in the wake of a complaint lodged by school officials who suspected him of sexually harassing students at the Branco Weiss A (Scheiber) High School in Beit Shemesh. While questioning students about the case, police investigators were told by a male student that he was sexually molested by the teacher, police said. According to police, the student said other students were sexually molested as well, but were afraid to come forward with their complaints. Police are trying to find any other victims of the teacher at the school. A school spokeswoman said Monday that the school viewed "very seriously" such allegations and actions and was fully cooperating with the police.