Golan Brigade Captain Indicted for Two Separate Rapes of Female Soldier in His Unit

A captain in the Golan Brigade has been indicted for raping a female soldier serving under him in two separate incidents that occurred about two weeks apart. Both assaults took place in his office, where the victim repeatedly asked him to stop, but he ignored her pleas. In one instance, the captain reportedly told her, "I'm after Shabbat closure, help me," before forcing himself on her. The victim initially did not want to file a complaint but decided to do so to protect other women from the same officer, who claims one of the incidents was consensual.

According to the indictment, the first incident happened in late March when the captain, serving as a safety officer, asked the soldier to bring him equipment. After she arrived, he turned off the lights and coerced her into touching him, then kissed her without consent and groped her despite her resistance. He blocked her exit and proceeded to rape her after removing his underwear. The second incident occurred about two weeks later in April, when the captain again summoned her to his office, turned off the light, locked the door, and assaulted her from behind. Despite her clear refusal and attempts to push him away, he touched her inappropriately until interrupted by another soldier.

The captain denies the allegations, claiming the first incident was consensual and that he stopped when she asked him to during the second. He also denies touching her under her clothes. Military courts have ordered his detention throughout the legal process, citing his high risk. The courts found the victim's testimony coherent and supported by evidence. Currently, a mediation process is ongoing between the military prosecution and the captain. Recently, the military appeals court partially granted the captain's request to access a list of soldiers present at the clinic during the relevant time but denied his request to obtain all data from the victim's phone.

The victim's decision to report the assaults came after she realized the importance of protecting other women in the unit. The case highlights serious concerns about abuse of power within the military hierarchy and ongoing efforts to ensure accountability.