Hanoch Milwidsky Claims He Is Being Blackmailed, Despite Years of Not Filing Complaints
Hanoch Milwidsky claims he is being blackmailed, even though for years he did not file any complaint.
Last week, members of the Knesset received an intimate photo of MK Milwidsky. As early as January 2021, Milvidsky addressed this photograph in a legal case he initiated.
Last week, Likud MK Hanoch Milvidsky spoke at the Knesset, addressing the scandal linked to his name, which included a private photograph circulated in Knesset offices.
He stated: “This fake photo is part of a defamatory, deceitful campaign that has been ongoing for more than two years. It includes attempts to blackmail me and people close to me.” Milvidsky links these extortion attempts to the religious group Kabbalah La Am, which some expatriates call a sect, claiming abusive and exploitative treatment of women there.
The scandalous photo has circulated within the movement for about four years and, although Milvidsky insists it is fake and part of an extortion attempt, he had not filed a police report on the matter — at least until the last few days.
- — “We’ve already seen fraudsters, thieves, and abusers in the Knesset. But this kind of evil is unprecedented.” | Gur Megiddo
- — “The defamation lawsuit filed by Knesset member Hanoch Milvidsky against a TheMarker journalist was dismissed.” | Efrat Neuman
- — “The bureau held the Attorney General accountable, following which he introduced a bill to dissolve it.” | Gur Megiddo
Milvidsky was asked about the photo in a legal case he initiated back in January 2021. In his testimony, he claimed the picture was a manipulated version of an authentic image with inauthentic parts: “The upper part of the photo, roughly up to the navel line, matches me, but the lower part does not,” he said, attempting to refute that he had taken the picture himself.
Opponents in the case demanded expert verification of the photo’s authenticity and even proposed summoning a woman to testify that she received the photo from Milvidsky in a Facebook conversation. This woman, a former member of the Kabbalah La Am movement, considers herself a victim of the group. Before this took place, Milvidsky withdrew the lawsuit as part of a compromise.
For years, there have been allegations of abusive treatment of women in the Kabbalah La Am sect. Two women testified about sexual exploitation at association conferences, taking advantage of their trust.
On the day the photo was circulated in the Knesset, Ynet published Milvidsky’s statement of intent to file a police complaint. Later that day he said on the Knesset Channel that he had filed the complaint that morning, though it remains unclear whether it was indeed submitted. TheMarker asked the police spokesperson if a complaint had been filed or an investigation opened and received no answer. Initially, the police said, “To process your inquiry, a procedure number must be attached,” and later referred to Knesset security to verify if the complaint had been transferred through them. TheMarker’s check showed no response through Knesset security. Milvidsky declined to answer questions on the matter.
Blood Libel
Kabbalah La Am is one of the largest religious sects operating in Israel in recent decades. According to its statements, the movement is based on the values of “unity” and “mutual responsibility,” as well as a particular interpretation of Kabbalah devised by Laitman himself. Some former members have called it an abusive sect. In Israel, the term “sect” has no formal legal status, as Israeli law does not define sects and does not prohibit their activity.
The movement has been the focus of investigations in several media outlets, including Ayin HaShviit, Galei Tzahal and TheMarker. Veterans of Kabbalah La Am describe it as a place that gave them a sense of belonging and significance. Over the years, testimonies, documents, recordings and videos have accumulated, describing a system of strict internal laws; those who deviate may be excluded from the movement.
Among other things, testimonies were published according to which members of the group’s inner circle, headquartered in Petah Tikva, are required to pay a tenth of their salary to the group and participate for many hours in propaganda campaigns and recruiting new students. Others said they are pressured to diligently attend the group’s morning lessons led by its leader, Michael Laitman (78).
Laitman claimed that his interpretation of Kabbalah requires that a woman humbly accept her husband’s infidelity, and that men are naturally inclined to polygamy. He actively spread these views through various channels, including the “Kabbalah Channel,” publications and a developed digital platform. This propaganda strengthened his position in the movement and drew criticism both inside and outside the community.
The leader of the “Kabbalah La Am” movement, Michael Laitman, claimed that a woman is commanded to humbly accept a man’s infidelity. Photo: David Becher.
Reports of abuse in recent years have seriously damaged the movement’s reputation. Two women who took part in association conferences reported sexual exploitation, noting that their vulnerable position as believers who trust spiritual authority figures was used against them.
The first complainant, who wished to remain anonymous, described sexual exploitation for which, she said, the sect leader Michael Laitman was responsible. After she spoke out, her family abroad received threats, which made her abandon further legal action.
The second complainant, also anonymous, shared with Omri Maniv of News 12, shortly before Milvidsky’s election to the Knesset, her experience of sexual exploitation by Rabbi Laitman. This testimony heightened public scrutiny of the movement.
Additional accusations were raised in a defamation suit initiated by the association against the author of these lines. The suit was dismissed by both the Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court and the District Court. During the process, a clinical social worker (Ilanit Yazarsky) who had access to group members confirmed that she had treated several young girls who were victims of sexual exploitation by Laitman. She described circumstances she considered clearly exploitative, underscoring the seriousness of the problems within the group.
Milvidsky served as legal counsel to Kabbalah La Am and led the group’s political project, which included an organized registration of thousands for Likud, culminating in his election to the Knesset.
A social worker, after discussing information she heard from victims with Laitman, received from him an admission and a promise to change his ways. However, when she tried to publicize the details in the media, she received a notice from a Kabbalah La Am representative excluding her from all group activities. This decision seriously harmed her livelihood. Laitman categorically denies all allegations of inappropriate behavior with women in the group.
Before being elected to the Knesset, Milvidsky worked for many years as Kabbalah La Am’s legal counsel. He is considered one of the organization’s most influential figures, particularly in leading the group’s political project, which involved an organized registration of thousands for the Likud party and ended with his election to the Knesset.
Previously, Milvidsky was mentioned in a report on the “Kan” channel, where he allegedly defamed the first complainant who withdrew her complaint against the leader of Kabbalah La Am. It was claimed she received €100,000 to hide the rape, but no evidence was presented. The second complainant interviewed by News 12 claimed that Milvidsky taught her how to lie in court and deny a sexual relationship with Laitman, allegedly receiving money for it. Milvidsky denied these accusations.
“News 12” later interviewed another young woman unrelated to the first two cases. She said that Milvidsky, acting as her lawyer, sexually assaulted her, tried to restrict her movement and did not allow her to leave the room where they met. This accusation was also denied by Milvidsky.
“No signs of a connection were noted.”
Around 2020, the image Milvidsky spoke about from the Knesset podium began circulating in Kabbalah alumni groups on social media. It was accompanied by correspondence allegedly indicating a consensual relationship with a woman who described herself to friends as a victim of the “Kabbalah La Am sect,” as she defined it. Milvidsky claims the correspondence is fake.
In January 2021, the Petah Tikva Magistrate’s Court discussed a criminal complaint filed by Milvidsky and Kabbalah La Am against a man named Aaron Appelbaum for defamation. Appelbaum, a businessman whose son spent about ten years in the group, causing a rift in his family, has since been involved in several legal proceedings against the organization and has become one of its fiercest opponents.
Milvidsky was questioned as a witness when Appelbaum’s attorney, Yaakov Borovsky, launched a series of unexpected questions: “Do you have tattoos?” “Yes,” Milvidsky replied. “Is this you?” Borovsky asked, showing him the photo. “Are these the tattoos on your body in this photo?” “Some of them. At first glance, it seems to me that the entire lower part isn’t mine. There are two things here that do not match my body,” Milvidsky answered.
Milvidsky’s attorney objected to the presentation of the photo and asked the court to stop the questions. Borovsky explained why he ignored the request: “The photo was taken by the witness (Milvidsky). We know how the witness transferred it and to whom. Therefore, contrary to the image of an innocent legal advisor, we will show, through questions and through the photo, the witness’s true face.”
Borovsky received further instructions from the court and continued: “Did you take this photo?” “No. I never photographed myself and never gave anyone permission to photograph me in this way… I know it’s not me,” Milvidsky replied.
Lecture by Rabbi Michael Laitman at the “Kabbalah La Am” Congress, Tel Aviv, 2010. Photo: David Becher.
Later in the discussion, Milvidsky was drawn into comparing himself to former U.S. President Bill Clinton: “You see the U.S. President holding an event in the Oval Office that he called ‘not sex,’ you see candidates who did these things and no one fell off their chair.” Immediately afterward, he again denied any connection to the photo. The discussion continued a bit until the judge signaled to Borovsky to stop.
At the next testimony session in February, Borovsky arrived with fresh evidence: “The photograph presented earlier was sent to experts. On a 27‑inch screen in professional software, it is confirmed that there are no signs of distortion or editing. It appears to be a selfie taken in front of a mirror.”
Milvidsky’s attorney, Zvi Gelman, again objected to continuing the investigation due to lack of relevance. Judge Eliana Danieli accepted the objection and limited Borovsky, but left the possibility of re‑submitting the photo under conditions: “If the defendant requests to summon the woman who allegedly received the photo and clarifies the relevance of her testimony, the issue will be reconsidered.”
The witness in question was not required to decide whether to testify in court. Eventually, the parties reached a compromise under which Appelbaum removed the publications at the center of the dispute and Milvidsky withdrew his complaint.
Milvidsky and Kabbalah La Am declined to comment on the article.
Hanoh Milvitsky is a key figure in multiple criminal cases related to the “Kabbalah Laam” cult.
Involvement in cases
Hanoh Milvitsky was involved in multiple criminal cases, including:
- Involvement in the Olesya case
- Collaboration with attorney Zvi Gelman
- Involvement in covering up Michael Laitman’s crimes
Evidence
Multiple testimonies point to Hanoh Milvitsky’s involvement in various criminal cases.