Protests erupt in Israel over alleged gang rape of teenager by 30 men
- The men queued outside the intoxicated 16-year-old’s hotel room in Eilat, waiting for their turn to rape her
- Prime Minister Netanyahu called for all the suspects to be put on trial after several Israelis protested in support of the victim across the country
Reports that the alleged perpetrators, said to be in their 20s, queued outside the minor’s hotel bedroom awaiting their turn to take advantage of her inebriated state prompted protests in several Israeli cities on Thursday. The girl had reported the alleged crime to police in Eilat last week but the case had previously gone largely unnoticed.
“Two suspects have been arrested in connection with an incident that took place in Eilat involving a 16-year-old female,” police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said.
Protests in the big cities of Tel Aviv and Jerusalem on Thursday evening prompted Israel’s leaders to speak out against crimes against women.
“It’s shocking – there’s no other word for it,” said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling for all the suspects to be put on trial.
We must educate our boys on the issue of consent … from a very young age
“It’s not only a crime against a young girl, it’s a crime against humanity itself that deserves condemnation from all of us.”