Israel Seeks Over $300,000 From Ex-Officer Convicted of Sexual Assault
Translated & summarized from NEWSru Israel by baba
Israel's State Attorney's Office is suing former IDF Captain Ofir Menachem for approximately 1.19 million shekels to recover compensation paid to a victim of his sexual offenses. Menachem, who was convicted of sexual crimes against two subordinates, pleaded guilty in July 2024 and was sentenced to 18 months in prison. The state argues it is entitled to recoup funds paid from the budget due to his unlawful actions, marking the first time such a civil suit has been filed against a convicted soldier.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Israel's State Attorney's Office is suing former IDF Captain Ofir Menachem for 1.19 million shekels.
- Menachem was convicted of sexual offenses against two subordinate soldiers.
- One victim has been recognized as a lifelong IDF disabled veteran.
- The lawsuit seeks to recoup compensation paid and to be paid to the victim.
- Menachem pleaded guilty in July 2024 and was sentenced to 18 months in prison.
- This is the first civil lawsuit of its kind filed by the state against a convicted soldier.
The State Attorney's Office has filed an unprecedented civil lawsuit against Ofir Menachem, a former captain in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) convicted of sexual offenses against two subordinates. The state, acting on behalf of the Ministry of Defense, is seeking approximately 1.19 million shekels (about $320,000) from Menachem to recoup compensation paid and to be paid to one of the victims.
The lawsuit was initially filed in September but announced by the prosecution on October 12. One of the victims has been recognized as a lifelong IDF disabled veteran due to the harm she suffered. The state has already paid her about 132,000 shekels, which amounts to approximately 137,000 shekels with interest and indexation. An additional 1.05 million shekels represents the estimated cost of future payments, including benefits and various allowances.
The lawsuit states that Menachem, who commanded an operational company in a search and rescue battalion, abused his position. "Menachem used the subordinate relationship between him and the soldiers, violated his obligations to his subordinates and society's trust in the Israel Defense Forces, all for the satisfaction of his sexual needs," the document reads.
In July 2024, Menachem pleaded guilty to sexual offenses, sexual harassment using his position, and unbecoming conduct for an officer. He was sentenced in February 2025 to 22 months in prison, demoted to private, and ordered to pay compensation to the victims. A military appeals court later reduced his sentence to 18 months. Menachem was released early in August 2026.
The prosecution emphasized that this is the first such lawsuit where the state is demanding that a convicted soldier reimburse the costs of supporting a victim of his crimes. The prosecution's position is that the state is entitled to seek reimbursement for funds paid from the budget due to the defendant's unlawful actions. The possibility of an additional lawsuit related to compensation for the second victim is not excluded, should she also be recognized as an IDF disabled veteran.
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