Priest leading Christian IDF draft accused of sexual misconduct

Father Gabriel Naddaf, a Greek Orthodox community leader who supports Arab Christian enlistment in the IDF, is accused of accepting sexual and monetary favors in exchange for assisting young people with their enlistment and Palestinians with travel permits, according to a Channel 2 report Sunday.

Naddaf denies all the claims against him.

In the report, it was noted that no complaints had been filed with the police, nor has an investigation been launched.

Naddaf was accused of using intimate and loving language with the young draft candidates in cell phone conversations, and of inviting one soldier to join him at a vacation cottage.

Naddaf was recently named as one of the ceremonial torch lighters for the state Independence Day ceremony in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening.

In denying the accusations, Naddaf said, "Criminal elements within the community, along with those jealous of the success of my life's work, joined forces to prevent me from receiving recognition for my contribution to Christian Arab enlistment to the IDF. These elements have committed a sophisticated crime against me and against the [Christian Community Mobilization] Forum and have managed to create fraudulent representations of me in a way that supposedly appears real.

"The truth is that I did not do any of the things described in the report. I did not harm anyone sexually. I did not try to harm anyone, and I did not work to arrange travel permits for Palestinians to come to Israel. But the hostile elements, whom I unfortunately trusted enough to allow them to work close to me, took advantage of my trust and took over my Facebook pages and phone messages to write lies, apparently in my name. God will punish these people for the harm they have done to me, to my wife and to my two sons who are serving in the IDF.

"I underwent two polygraph tests, and both confirmed the truth of my words. Since I am sure that I am right, I did not hesitate to file a complaint with the police, and I am sure they will reveal the truth and expose this conspiracy against me."

Channel 2 presented another polygraph test in which Naddaf was found to be lying.

Culture and Sport Minister Miri Regev voiced support for Naddaf, with her office releasing a statement that said: "The minister will not address the interested parties attempting to harm Father Naddaf due to his efforts for the State of Israel and the enlistment of members of the Christian community to the IDF. It is for this reason that there are law enforcement authorities, and as long as they do not prove otherwise, Father Naddaf will light a torch on Independence Day."

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