A Tel Aviv court sentenced former Wolfson doctor Aryeh Levin to six years in prison after he admitted, under a plea agreement, to raping a patient’s mother and committing multiple indecent acts and invasive exams without consent. The offences, which occurred between 2010 and 2021, involved hospital and private-clinic settings. Levin deposited NIS 750,000 in compensation to four victims prior to sentencing, agreed to stop practising medicine, and has 45 days to appeal.
Former Wolfson Doctor Aryeh Levin Sentenced to Six Years for Rape and Sexual Offences — Prosecutors Had Sought 13 Years
An illustrative image of a man in handcuffs, being arrested. (photo credit: SHUTTERSTOCK)
The Tel Aviv District Court on Thursday sentenced former Wolfson Medical Center physician Aryeh Levin to six years in prison after he admitted, under a plea agreement, to raping the mother of a patient and committing multiple sexual offences against patients over more than a decade.
Details of the Conviction
Levin, 69, formerly headed Wolfson's pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition unit. He pleaded guilty to an amended indictment that covers: the 2013 rape of a patient’s mother; five indecent acts involving two patients; and an invasive examination of a child performed without informed consent. The offences span 2010 to 2021 and occurred both at Wolfson and at Levin's private clinics.
The court found that Levin used his position and authority as a medical professional to exploit patients who were vulnerable and dependent on his care. In one admitted incident from 2013, Levin summoned a mother to his office to collect medical documents, locked the door and raped her. Other counts describe sexual touching during or around medical appointments, and invasive childhood examinations carried out without proper consent.
Prof. Arie Levine following his arrest on Monday, October 4, 2021. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/MAARIV)
Sentence, Compensation and Conditions
The judges imposed a six-year custodial term, additional suspended sentences, and credited Levin with 34 days already spent in detention. The court also ordered NIS 750,000 in compensation to four women harmed by the offences; Levin had deposited that amount before sentencing. Under the plea deal, Levin told the Health Ministry he will stop practising medicine and has requested permanent cancellation of his medical licence.
Court Reasoning and Reactions
The three-judge panel highlighted the particular gravity of sexual offences by medical professionals because patients must be able to trust doctors at moments of vulnerability. The judges also took into account victim-impact statements describing long-term harm, including reduced trust in medical care.
Orit Sulitzeanu, chief executive of the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, said the sentence 'does not at all reflect the gravity of his appalling acts or his disgraceful exploitation of his role and status' and called on hospitals to treat complaints against doctors with utmost seriousness.
Prosecutors had sought a prison term of at least 13 years and said they would study the judgment and consider their next steps. Levin has 45 days to appeal the decision.
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