Grandson of Rabbi Ovadia Yosef confesses he was sexually abused in yeshiva

Ovadia Cohen, the grandson of former Chief Rabbi of Israel Ovadia Yosef, publicly revealed for the first time that he was sexually abused at age 14 in a yeshiva. According to Cohen, he was drugged and tied up during the abuse. He decided to speak out to overcome shame and support other survivors.

Ovadia Cohen, the grandson of former Chief Rabbi of Israel and spiritual leader of the Shas movement Ovadia Yosef, publicly revealed for the first time the sexual abuse he suffered at age 14 in a yeshiva. The confession was made in an interview on the podcast "How It's Done" on the Kan Podcastim platforms. Cohen described how the yeshiva's spiritual mentor subjected him to prolonged abuse. According to Cohen, the mentor first established close contact through long conversations, inquiring about sexual habits. Cohen suspects he was under the influence of a narcotic substance and was tied up during the abuse. He stated that he felt guilty for many years but decided to speak publicly to rid himself of shame and support other survivors. Cohen is named after his grandfather, one of the greatest religious authorities of Eastern Jewry. The Yosef family holds significant influence in religious and ultra-Orthodox circles in Israel.