members were accused of burning down a secret crematorium in Israel. Most Jews believe Jews should be buried according to religious tradition, not cremated. ZAKA's founder Yehuda Meshi Zahav was reported to have called the existence of the crematorium a "desecration of the dead" and that the crematorium was "destined to disappear in flames." ZAKA strongly denied any involvement in the arson. In March 2021, longtime ZAKA head Yehuda Meshi Zahav, following an investigation by Haaretz, faced multiple allegations of having committed repeated sex crimes, including on children as young as five years old. Meshi Zahav denied the allegations as nothing more than rumor-fuelled "gossip" and a "personal vendetta," but suspended himself from the organization and relinquished his upcoming Israel Prize award for lifetime achievements. Meanwhile, the Israel Police launched a criminal investigation into the allegations spearheaded by the Lahav 433 unit. On 22 April he was found unconscious in his apartment after having attempted suicide. An investigation by the newspaper Haaretz in 2022 alleged that ZAKA inflated its number of volunteers, from less than 1,000 to more than 3,000, in order to receive more government support. The organization denied the charges. See also Chesed Shel Emes Chevra kadisha Hatzalah Magen David Adom Misaskim References External links ZAKA USA Website ZAKA at the Jewish Virtual Library ZAKA: Always there when terror strikes ZAKA: Kindness Amid Terror - An Interview with a volunteer Emergency management in Israel Jewish medical organizations Humanitarian aid organizations Medical and health organizations based in Israel Volunteer search and rescue organizations Charities based in Israel Emergency services in Israel 1989 establishments in Israel