51-year-old man posed as a 28-year-old masseur and is charged with raping a young woman with intellectual disabilities

The State Attorney's Office has filed an indictment with the Tel Aviv District Court against Rafael Shraga (51) from Bat Yam, who is accused of rape under aggravating circumstances and committing additional sexual offenses against a 19-year-old woman with intellectual disabilities. The incident occurred approximately two weeks ago at a hotel in Bat Yam.

According to the indictment, filed by Adv. Noa Reshety from the Tel Aviv District Attorney's Office, the young woman entered an "Aroma" cafe in Bat Yam about two weeks ago. Shraga was sitting with a friend at the cafe and invited the young woman to join them.

Shraga introduced himself as Shlomo, a 28-year-old masseur, and offered to give her a massage. Although she refused, he continued to pressure her to accompany him to his apartment in Tiberias. When she stated she did not travel far from the center, he exploited her intellectual disability by offering to rent a room at a hotel in the city center. The young woman declined, preferring to go for a walk in Bat Yam.

They later left the cafe and walked to a nearby garden. Shortly after, Shraga booked a hotel room in Bat Yam, and they traveled there in his car. Due to her intellectual disability, the young woman naively believed he would provide a massage, though she expressed hesitation, noting she did not know him and did not wish to undress.

During the drive, Shraga raped the young woman and performed indecent acts. Upon arriving at the hotel, he raped her multiple times, causing physical injury, slapping her, and inflicting pain. During their stay, the young woman's family members called her repeatedly, but Shraga ordered her not to answer. When she finally answered, her family sensed her distress and contacted the police; Shraga subsequently fled the hotel.

The indictment charges Shraga with rape under aggravating circumstances without consent while exploiting an intellectual disability, as well as indecent acts under similar circumstances. The State Attorney's Office has requested that Shraga be detained until the conclusion of legal proceedings. Further details have been banned from publication.