Israel Police arrested on Wednesday a Jerusalem rabbi in his 50s and two possible accomplices on suspicion of raping women in his congregation, following a lengthy undercover investigation.

The rabbi, who worked to make people more religious, is suspected of sexually assaulting women in his community for several years, telling the victims that it was a "spiritual act" to comply to his sexual demands.

The police even suspect that he sexually assaulted a woman on her wedding day, explaining that this would allow her to marry in sanctity.