State seeks over NIS 1m. from former IDF commander convicted of sexual offenses

OCTOBER 12, 2026 15:32The state is suing a former IDF company commander for more than NIS 1 million to recover benefits paid and expected to be paid following sexual offenses he committed against soldiers under his command, the prosecution announced Monday.The lawsuit, filed in Nazareth Magistrate's Court on behalf of the Defense Ministry, seeks to hold former Captain Ofir Menachem financially responsible for the public cost of the harm he caused. Menachem was convicted after pleading guilty to offenses involving two female subordinates, sentenced to imprisonment and demoted to private. Prosecutors described the civil claim as the first of its kind.In the lawsuit, the state argues that Menachem’s position as a commander placed him under a heightened duty to protect his subordinates and uphold their trust. Instead, prosecutors say, he used his rank and authority to exploit them, breaching both his obligations toward the women and public trust in the IDF.The military appeals judgment describes how Menachem mixed sexual advances with discussions about the soldiers’ service and requests for leave.According to the judgment, one soldier approached Menachem in May 2022 to seek permission to be home on regular evenings because of personal circumstances. During their conversation, he made sexual comments and asked questions of a sexual nature. The soldier felt obliged to participate in the conversation so that he would approve her requests, the judgment recounts.IDF female combat soldiers. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT)Former IDF commander exploited authority over female subordinatesMenachem later invited her to his room and repeatedly asked to meet him. She put him off with excuses and feared how he would treat her as her commander if she rejected him. The judgment also describes him telling the two women that they were competing for the same position.The original indictment was filed in September 2023. Following mediation, Menachem pleaded guilty to an amended indictment in July 2024. His convictions included sexual offenses involving exploitation of authority in military service, sexual harassment through abuse of that authority, and conduct unbecoming.In February 2025, the military court sentenced him to 22 months in prison, imposed suspended prison terms, demoted him to private, and ordered him to pay the woman a total of NIS 38,000 in compensation.Military appeals court reduces former IDF commander's prison sentence to 18 monthsA military appeals court reduced his prison sentence to 18 months in May 2025. In explaining the reduction, the judges cited the need for gradual increases in sentencing severity and his guilty plea, which spared the women from testifying to establish his guilt. The remaining penalties were unchanged.The civil claim draws on the criminal findings. The state argues that it may exercise the injured woman’s right to seek compensation to recover the benefits it has paid and expects to pay because of Menachem’s conduct. Any money recovered through this lawsuit would return to the public treasury.Follow us on Google