Meshi-Zahav, 59, had been accused of sexually assaulting women and children over a period of decades from his position of power, using tactics of fear and intimidation to silence his victims.In March, a police investigation was officially launched, after an initial report opened a floodgate of abusive accusations against him from men, women, and teenage boys and girls of all ages.ZAKA Special Units Director Haim Otmezgin claimed that many of the allegations against Meshi-Zahav came from sources who had tried to blackmail him.“There needed to be a trial; people didn’t have to base things on rumors,” Otmezgin said, adding that he himself had witnessed threats that the former ZAKA head had received. “If you don’t agree to let us fund-raise for the organization, we will bury you and destroy your family,” read one letter.The man who threatened Meshi-Zahav, according to Otmezgin, was attempting to fund-raise for ZAKA, but pocket some of the money himself. Meshi-Zahav apparently knew of the scheme, and was threatened for it.“Whoever knows Meshi-Zahav knows that he could never hurt a soul,” he insisted. “I’ve known him for 25 years.”Following the investigation, Meshi-Zahav stepped down as head of the organization he founded in 1989, and forfeited the Israel Prize he was set to receive this year.Two months ago he lost his parents to corona, just a month after having lost his brother to the same disease.
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