Jerusalem Rabbi Moshe Yazdi sentenced to 18 years for rape by deception

Jerusalem Rabbi Moshe Yazdi was sentenced to 18 years in prison by the Jerusalem District Court for repeatedly raping and committing indecent acts against two women. The court found that Yazdi, who led the Amudei Hashalom community, deceived the women into believing the sexual acts were divinely sanctioned "spiritual corrections." These offenses occurred over 3-12 years, amounting to dozens or hundreds of acts against each victim. Yazdi also received a one-year suspended sentence and was ordered to pay NIS 150,000 in compensation to each woman. He was also convicted of financial crimes, including money laundering and defrauding creditors. Yazdi did not accept responsibility, and the court noted his manipulative conduct during the trial.