Israeli Minister's Daughter Alleges 'Ritualistic' Sexual Abuse by Parents and Brother — Israeli Media Barred From Reporting

The daughter of Israeli settlement minister Orit Strook claims she was sexually abused as a child by family members, but Israeli media are restricted from publishing details.

For the first time in recent Israeli political life, a senior government figure has been linked to extremely serious allegations from within her own family.

Shoshana Strook, the daughter of Israeli settlements minister Orit Strook, has publicly accused her parents and a brother of sexually abusing her when she was a child. She has filed a formal complaint with police in Italy and later with Israeli authorities, alleging that she was subjected to repeated sexual abuse that was recorded and is being used as evidence.

The case has been the subject of a court‑issued gag order in Israel. This means local media are barred from reporting the full details of the allegations against the minister, limiting public coverage.

Shoshana Strook Narrates Details of Abuse

On April 2025, reports showed that Shoshana told police she was sexually abused 'as a child by both of my parents and one of my brothers,' according to police document summaries released outside Israel and cited in international reporting.

She said the assaults were filmed by her family, and that she was left with overwhelming memories she could no longer bear in silence.

In a video she shared on social media, Shoshana said she filed a police complaint in Italy, where she had travelled, seeking relief from the trauma and protection from what she described as threats linked to her family. 'After a long period of doubt, extreme emotional states, and a lot of guilt, I wanted to share that I experienced sexual abuse by both of my parents and one of my brothers.'

She explained that after years of 'extreme emotional states and a lot of guilt,' she decided to speak out. She is hoping that legal action would help her heal and bring justice.

The complaint was subsequently also submitted to Israeli police, where it is being reviewed by the Lahav 433 unit, an anti‑corruption and serious crime division.

A court‑ordered gag is in place, meaning Israeli news outlets cannot publish the details of the allegations or even confirm they relate to Strook, a rare and restrictive legal measure.

Who Is Orit Strook and Why This Matters

Orit Strook is a well-known Israeli politician. She is the minister of settlements and national missions and belongs to a far-right party that supports building more settlements in the occupied West Bank. She famously said 'There is no such thing as a Palestinian people,' in February 2023.

Her politics have often caused controversy, especially her strong support for settlements and tough statements about security.

The recent allegations are unusual because they involve a current government minister. A gag order means Israeli media cannot report the details, so most verified news comes from outlets abroad.

In the past, her family was in the spotlight when her son, Zviki Strook, was convicted in 2007 for kidnapping and torturing a Palestinian boy. This case is separate but has come up again because of the new allegations.

Gag Order Questioned

The gag order was imposed early in the investigation, which is standard in some sensitive cases in Israel to protect ongoing police work and individuals' identities.

However, critics argue that it has also prevented the public from understanding the nature of allegations against a public official in a way that would normally be allowed for most serious criminal cases.

Even though Israeli media are not allowed to report on the case, international news outlets and human rights groups are paying attention. Some experts say the situation shows bigger problems with how abuse survivors are protected and how powerful people are treated in sensitive legal cases.

Looking at what's really at stake in the case, Strock said in a statement: 'This story is not only mine. It is the story of hundreds, if not thousands, of survivors in Israel who live in fear for their lives and view my case as a test case - Is it finally safe enough to speak?'