Rape claim in the kibbutz: Ofel Malul speaks out again
Ofel Malul, who recently went public about the rape she claims to have suffered, shares details of the incident in an interview with 103fm and points to a series of failures in the Israel Police investigation.
Ofel Malul, 37, from Kibbutz Gevat, alleges that she was drugged and sexually assaulted a month and a half ago. In an interview with 103fm radio, she courageously revealed details of the difficult event and criticized the Israel Police's handling of the investigation. Please note: the details provided include descriptions of sexual assault and may be difficult to read.
Malul reconstructed the events: "It was a Saturday that started normally. My mother and I were at the pool. Not far from us sat a local man, who is married, along with two friends. At some point, I went to greet the lifeguard and entered the water."
She continued: "I had brought wine and Sprite, and left my glass near the lifeguard. The group arrived, and one of them got into the water next to me. My glass was spilled, and I was offered vodka, which they claimed was high quality. After that, I only have flashes of memory. The next time I woke up, I was holding onto a friend on the floor, screaming, 'Why didn't you save me in time?'"
"An ambulance and police arrived. The doctor confirmed my state—I was in a complete blur. The doctor said it was very brutal. We are waiting for DNA results. To my great regret, the police made many mistakes," she stated.
"This is a brutal case — protect us"
Malul sharply criticized the investigation: "I saw the footage from the pool, but the police are not doing enough. Evidence was not collected in time, which significantly damaged the case. My lawyer calls it a case that should be simple for beginner officers. As a citizen, I do not feel protected. These people should be arrested; someone who brings a date-rape drug to a pool is likely to do it again."
The Israel Police responded: "We reject these claims outright. An investigation was opened immediately upon receiving the complaint, and various investigative actions are being carried out. We cannot detail the evidence due to the ongoing nature of the investigation."
Kibbutz Gevat stated: "The kibbutz places supreme importance on the safety and well-being of its members. We act through authorized bodies, responsibly and with sensitivity to the privacy of all involved. We do not provide responses to individual cases."
Advocate Nadav Greenwald, representing the suspects, said: "We regret that a police investigation under a gag order is leaking to the media. Our clients gave testimony, and one was questioned and released immediately. These facts speak for themselves regarding the reliability of the complaint."
Ofel's lawyer, Gidi Costa, stated: "The investigation is sluggish. The police failed to question the couple in whose home the rape occurred as suspects. There are undeniable facts: the state in which she was found, medical findings, and her cries for help. We demand a full investigation."
If you or someone you know needs support, you can contact the S.O.S. line for victims of sexual assault in Israel at 1202 (for women) or 1203 (for men), available 24/7.
