The Israel Police said Tuesday that they are investigating a Greek Orthodox priest who has been lauded by Israel for encouraging Arab military enlistment.
Police say Father Gabriel Naddaf has been under investigation for more than a year, but they did not reveal the nature of the suspicions against him which remain under a gag order.
Naddaf has been widely praised for promoting the enlistment of Christian Arabs into Israel's military, an issue that is perceived as a social taboo for Arabs. He had the honor of lighting a torch at Israel's Independence Day celebrations in 2016.
In May 2016, Naddaf was accused of accepting sexual and monetary favors in exchange for assisting young people with their enlistment and Palestinians with travel permits.
He denied the allegations against him, saying they were the work of "criminal elements within the community, along with those jealous of the success of my life's work."
