Senior Doctor Sentenced to Six Years for Sex Crimes Against Patients

Professor Arieh Levin, a pediatric gastroenterologist and former head of the pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition unit at Wolfson Medical Center, was sentenced to six years in prison on Thursday. He was convicted of raping the mother of a patient and committing sexual offenses against two other female patients. The conviction came as part of a plea agreement, though the prosecution and defense did not agree on the sentencing.

The prosecution had sought a 13-year prison sentence, emphasizing the severity of the acts and Levin's exploitation of his position and the trust placed in him by his patients. Levin had initially denied the charges but later admitted to the facts of the amended indictment after hearing the prosecution's evidence and undergoing mediation.

As part of the plea deal, Levin deposited NIS 750,000 as compensation for the victims and committed to informing the Ministry of Health that he would no longer practice medicine and would permanently request the cancellation of his license. The offenses occurred between 2013 and 2021.

The court acknowledged the particular gravity of sexual offenses committed by medical staff due to the exploitation of power imbalances and trust. However, it also considered Levin's confession, his age, his lack of prior criminal record, and the compensation paid to the victims when handing down the six-year sentence. The prosecution stated it would study the verdict and consider its next steps.