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Israel Seeks Over $250,000 From Ex-Officer for Sexual Offenses
The State Attorney's Office has filed an unprecedented civil lawsuit against former IDF Captain Ofir Menachem, seeking approximately 1.19 million shekels (about $320,000) to recover public funds paid and to be paid to a victim of his sexual offenses. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of the Ministry of Defense in the Nazareth Magistrate's Court, marks the first time the state has pursued such a civil claim against a convicted soldier to recoup expenses incurred due to their criminal actions.
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What happened
- 01The State Attorney's Office is suing former IDF Captain Ofir Menachem for 1.19 million shekels in a precedent-setting civil lawsuit.
- 02The lawsuit seeks to recoup public funds paid and projected to be paid to a female soldier recognized as a disabled IDF veteran due to his actions.
- 03Menachem was previously convicted of sexual offenses against two subordinate soldiers while serving as a combat company commander.
- 04In the criminal proceedings, Menachem pleaded guilty in July 2024, receiving an 18-month prison sentence and a demotion to private.
- 05The state has already paid the victim approximately 137,000 shekels, including interest, and anticipates over 1.05 million shekels in future costs.
- 06The civil lawsuit was filed by the Northern District Attorney's Office in the Nazareth Magistrate's Court on behalf of the Ministry of Defense.
- 07Prosecutors stated that Menachem abused his authority and violated his duty of care to satisfy his sexual needs.
Menachem, who served as a combat company commander in a search and rescue battalion, was previously convicted in a criminal trial after pleading guilty in July 2024 to sexual offenses and sexual harassment against two female subordinates. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison and demoted to the rank of private. One of his victims has since been permanently recognized as a disabled IDF veteran due to the psychological and physical harm she suffered.
According to the lawsuit, the state has already paid the victim approximately 132,000 shekels, which has risen to about 137,000 shekels with interest and indexation. The remaining 1.05 million shekels of the claim represents the estimated cost of future payments, benefits, and allowances. Prosecutors argue that Menachem exploited the power imbalance and his position of authority, breaching his duty of care and the public's trust in the IDF to satisfy his sexual needs.
Summarized by baba from the reports of 4 newsrooms. Updated
Latest report: Ynet. Read Ynet’s original
The coverage
6 newsrooms on this story
Who covered it
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