Tel Aviv court convicts senior gynecologist of sex offenses against patients

The Tel Aviv District Court on Tuesday convicted senior gynecologist Prof. Menachem, or Meni, Alkalai, a urogynecology specialist, of 10 counts of rape by deception and sodomy by deception involving nine complainants. Alkalai previously headed the urogynecology unit at Sheba Medical Center and at Poriya Hospital.

The indictment against him was filed in August 2024 in the Tel Aviv District Court after testimony from more than 35 women in 2021. They said they were sexually harmed during medical examinations he performed. The charges included multiple counts of rape by deception regarding the nature of the act and sodomy by deception against patients.

According to the indictment, the alleged offenses took place between 2013 and 2021, in nine separate incidents and at different clinics. Prosecutors said Alkalai used his position, the trust placed in him, and the patients’ physical condition while they were being examined.

The indictment alleged that during gynecological examinations or medical treatments, he inserted his fingers into the complainants’ vaginas while also massaging their clitorises, making the conduct appear to be part of the examination or treatment. The court found that the acts were carried out with consent obtained by deception about their nature.