The ultra-Orthodox writer Haim Velder was suspended today (Wednesday) from his weekly program on Kol Chai radio. This follows the time investigation published over the weekend in which it was alleged that Walder sexually exploited three women aged 12, 15 and 20 about twenty years ago. The weekly Toro newspaper Yated Ne’eman is also expected to be suspended. Walder flatly denies the allegations made against him.
The rabbis of the newspaper’s spiritual committee gathered this morning to discuss the issue. Makor Rishon learned that the decision was made with the support of a senior ultra-Orthodox rabbi and with the approval of Rabbi Gershon Edelstein, head of the Ponivez Yeshiva in Bnei Brak, president of the Council of Torah Scholars. This is after a number of women testified that they spoke with other victims who were allegedly harmed by Walder. Sources involved said that in addition to the complaints, there were also stories without a criminal aspect but with “religious aspects”. Yated Ne’eman is one of the most conservative newspapers in the sector, with Velder writing a weekly column on views and education for almost three decades.
Last Monday, a collection of his conversations was broadcast on Kol Chai instead of a live broadcast. Two ultra-Orthodox organizations contacted the Second Television and Radio Authority yesterday and demanded his stay. The petition was accompanied by a petition signed by more than 1,375 men and women. “Some of the ultra-Orthodox journalists strongly condemn Walder on social media, but it is not enough that Walder’s broadcasts continue,” wrote Pnina Poyfer, executive director of the state ultra-Orthodox public, and Esti Bitton-Shoshan, executive director of national teams.
“The victims are among us. Many victims of sexual offenses are still silent in front of those in power in the ultra-Orthodox community. The continuation of these broadcasts, along with the lack of any public and media moral statement by the ultra-Orthodox leadership, Who dares to speak on the subject, “the petition read.
“The ultra-Orthodox society is in a crisis of eradicating these diseases and ills, but is facing a strong and connected elite that is crowding its ranks these days. We are citizens of the ultra-Orthodox community, educating our children for protection, we turn to the other authority “Their responsibility. And to take action to stop Walder’s broadcasts on Kol Chai radio until his affairs are clarified.”
As mentioned, after the publication of the investigation, some of Velder’s fans found it difficult to believe the evidence and refuted the allegations. Public figures who shared the investigation about him on social media received harsh abusive reactions. The social activists who supported the victims told of a campaign of pressure and threats they went through last week. The Pike Reporter project, which collects reports of suspicious content on networks, has reported that a network of fake profiles is working to protect the author’s name. “The profiles respond to posts on the network and praise Walder as a ‘golden man’ and a ‘charming therapist,’ and the investigation as an ‘assassination attempt,'” the venture said. “At least six profiles have mentioned in their messages the phrase ‘truth machine’ or ‘polygraph’ and allege lies in advertising, similar to his lawyers’ line of defense.”
The bond of silence was broken when more and more network anchors announced in recent days that they had been approached by alleged victims of Velder. These shared testimonies and said they believed the complainants.
The children’s magazine ‘Letters and Children’ published yesterday that it has been decided to stop the publication of Walder’s stories in the magazine for the time being. In a post published on the newspaper’s Facebook page, they explained that “as a publisher of the belief in the publication of the good and beautiful, and as the trust magazine for the education of Israeli children, we are doubly committed to every word written and written in it.” Brooklyn’s largest ultra-Orthodox bookstore “Eichlers” has also announced that it will remove its books from the shelves following serious allegations related to Walder’s name.