Police crackdown on messianic cult involved in prostitution

Messianic cult exploited women for prostitution under influence of drugs, alcohol to save "Nation of Israel."

By JPOST.COM STAFF
A prostitute waits for customers along a road. (photo credit: REUTERS)
A prostitute waits for customers along a road.
(photo credit: REUTERS)
Judea and Samaria District Police arrested several leading members of a mysterious messianic cult on Sunday after it was revealed that the group exploited women to engage in prostitution while under the influence of drugs and alcohol in order to "save the Nation of Israel and bring about its salvation."
Police stated that, after an undercover investigation, four lead suspects were arrested. The investigation was initiated four months ago after police received reports that the group was taking advantage of women who had joined the cult.
The investigation revealed shocking practices which included a period of brain washing in which women were told that redemption would come to the "Nation of Israel" by lying with gentiles. Next,  the suspected cult created a dependance in its female members on drugs and alcohol and encouraged them to perform sex acts while under their influence. The suspected cult members then took money from "gentiles" whom the women slept with.
The group was also suspected of encouraging some of its women to engage in religious Jewish observance in order to permeate the religious community in Israel and bring about its "redemption" in accord with the cult's beliefs.
The four suspects arrested by police included a a resident of Ashkelon, 47, two residents of Kiryat Arba, 40 and 60, as well as a 39-year-old resident of Jerusalem.