Tel Aviv Court to Sentence Gynecologist Convicted of Rape by Deception

The Tel Aviv District Court is set to sentence Professor Menachem Alkalay, a gynecologist convicted of ten counts of rape by deception regarding the nature of the act against nine different patients.

In June, Alkalay was convicted unanimously by a three-judge panel consisting of presiding Judge Yaron Levy, along with Judges Ilan Zur and Tamar Snir-Forer. The victims ranged in age from 23 to 66 at the time of the offenses. According to the indictment, during medical examinations and treatments, Alkalay exploited his position for sexual contact, massaging the clitoris of each complainant while inserting his fingers into their vaginas or vaginas and rectums simultaneously. He created a sophisticated false impression that this prohibited contact was part of a legitimate medical protocol.

Court Findings and Defense Claims

Alkalay denied intentionally massaging their clitoris, claiming that incidental contact resulting from hand positioning was an anatomical necessity. He argued that the complainants retrospectively misinterpreted a standard medical procedure due to the inherent discomfort of invasive pelvic floor examinations.

The court gave full weight to the reliable and detailed testimonies of the nine women, dismissing the defense's version as manipulative and evasive. The judges noted that the victims resided in different parts of the country, were treated in different clinics over the years, and did not know one another—except for a mother and daughter who were unaware of each other's assaults.

From all the testimonies, a grim picture emerges of women who sought medical treatment and left harmed in their bodies, dignity, and trust, the judges stated.

Expert Medical Testimony

Expert medical witnesses for both the prosecution and defense testified during the proceedings. The court ultimately ruled beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant acted while fully aware that his actions deviated from medical protocols and without informed consent.