Cult Rescue
Israel Urged to Rescue & Rehabilitate Lev Tahor Survivors
Knesset hears urgent calls for housing and support as dozens may return from Guatemala
Israel’s Knesset Committee for Immigration, Absorption and Diaspora Affairs held its ninth oversight session on Wednesday regarding the rescue of children from the extremist Lev Tahor cult in Guatemala. The session revealed significant gaps in the state’s preparedness to receive and rehabilitate survivors once they arrive in Israel.
Ilana Avitan, recently appointed coordinator for child survivors of Lev Tahor at the Ministry of Welfare, acknowledged the complexity of the situation. “I just started my role a few days ago,” he told the committee. “There are many issues involving multiple ministries. I’ve begun mapping out the situation with various stakeholders, and we’re working to create a system that can offer proper care and integration.”
Orit Cohen Amir, a representative of families connected to the cult, expressed urgency. “We’re seeing more movement from the Guatemalan government and judiciary there is hope,” she said. “But many of the children and survivors have no place to go in Israel. Every survivor must know they have a home waiting for them.”
Netta Algabasi from the Prime Minister’s Office said the government is “actively evaluating existing rehabilitation tools and preparing to introduce new ones,” adding that an inter-ministerial task force is managing the process.
Attorney Merav Marx from the Foreign Ministry noted that Israel is close to finalizing an operational agreement with the Jewish Agency. “We’re working hard to recruit the right people to lead the project,” she said.
Avital Rivner-Oron from the State Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Israel is pursuing the extradition of a top cult leader, recently approved by a court in El Salvador. However, no further extradition processes are currently underway.
Committee Chair MK Gilad Kariv drew a striking parallel:
“There’s a direct line between the hostages held in Gaza and the children trapped in the cult in Guatemala. In both cases, the State of Israel must protect its people wherever they are.”
Kariv requested an official position paper from the National Insurance Institute on support programs for the rescued children and emphasized the need for a clear, government-backed rehabilitation framework.
“We’ll reconvene next week to focus solely on the welfare strategy for integrating the survivors,” he concluded. “I’m encouraged to hear the Welfare Ministry is beginning to mobilize.”
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