An Israeli-born rabbi who made headlines spreading discredited claims about “Palestinian mass rapes” during the October 7 Gaza attacks is now at the center of a far more disturbing scandal in Texas.

In a shocking turn of events, Rabbi Yitzhak Meir Sabo, who was once a highly regarded educator and community figure in Dallas, has been apprehended and charged with felony indecency with a child. This follows a comprehensive police investigation that uncovered years of alleged abuse against a male student under his supervision.

As reported by The Times of Israel, the 43-year-old Rabbi Sabo was arrested on April 1 and is currently held in the Dallas County Jail with a bond set at $100,000. Sabo held the position of Director of Jewish Life at the Akiba Yavneh Academy, a Modern Orthodox educational institution. Additionally, since 2022, he served as the spiritual leader of the Tiferet Israel congregation in North Dallas. Both the school and the synagogue have promptly placed him on leave, prohibiting his presence on school grounds and participation in synagogue activities as investigations proceed.

Authorities and school representatives have disclosed that Sabo is accused of engaging in a prolonged pattern of sexual misconduct with a teenage boy. This behavior reportedly began when the student was in the ninth grade and continued for multiple years. According to a detailed affidavit, Sabo allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior such as pulling down the student’s pants, touching him inappropriately, observing him shower, and administering so-called “massages.” As reported by The North Star, this abusive conduct persisted through the student’s senior year. Furthermore, since Sabo’s arrest, additional families have come forward with new allegations.

Community Leaders and Law Enforcement Respond

Raymie Venable, the principal of Akiba Yavneh Academy, assured families in a private message that ensuring student safety is their “highest priority.” Both law enforcement and Child Protective Services were alerted on March 27, immediately after the initial complaint was filed. The school has initiated its own internal investigation, which is being conducted by the board and external legal advisors.

The Dallas Police Department has clarified that the current allegations do not implicate students from the school’s Early Childhood or Lower School programs. Similarly, Tiferet Israel synagogue’s leadership has suspended Sabo without pay, relieving him of all responsibilities during the ongoing inquiry.​

The revelations of child molestation come just months after Rabbi Sabo’s high-profile, media-backed campaign to promote false claims of mass sexual violence during the October 7 attacks in Israel. Sabo appeared on pro-Israel panels, rallies, and in local media insisting—without evidence—that Palestinian militants committed systematic mass rapes, a claim roundly disputed by subsequent UN investigations and independent media reviews.

“The public figure behind the headline matters,” writes The North Star, noting Sabo’s role in shaping “moral narratives around sexual violence—narratives used to justify a war.” Despite Sabo’s sensational rhetoric, no verifiable evidence of mass rape by Palestinian fighters during the attacks has emerged.​

A Case of Projection and Institutional Failure

The juxtaposition of Sabo’s aggressive campaign to spread unproven atrocities and the credible molestation allegations captured widespread attention. “Every accusation is a confession,” observed one social media post, echoing a sentiment heard from both critics and victims’ advocates across Texas and beyond.

The case has forced a painful reckoning within Dallas’s Jewish community about the vetting and oversight of clergy and educators. Both Akiba Yavneh Academy and Tiferet Israel have faced demands for more transparency and stronger safeguarding protocols for youth.

As the legal process unfolds, The North Star rightly calls for “full cooperation with law enforcement and child-protection authorities; clear, proactive support to any affected families; transparent updates…and independent safeguarding reviews across institutions that platform clergy and youth leaders.”

Broader Implications

The Sabo arrest underscores the necessity for rigorous scrutiny not just of those overseeing children, but also of public moralizers who drive divisive narratives in times of war. Institutions that previously amplified Sabo’s unfounded atrocity stories with little pushback now face scrutiny over their standards for public advocacy versus the duty of care owed to their most vulnerable.

While Rabbi Sabo is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court, the severity of the charges—even as internal and official probes widen—calls for unflinching public accountability.

Cover Photo Metadata:
Alt text: Mugshot of Yitzhak Meir Sabo, Dallas rabbi charged with child molestation
Description: Image shows former Dallas rabbi Yitzhak Meir Sabo, who was arrested for child molestation after promoting fake mass rape claims about Palestinians.
Caption: Israeli-born Dallas rabbi arrested for indecency with a child after leading campaign over fabricated Hamas rape claims.
Title: Dallas Rabbi Arrested for Child Abuse and False Claims 2025