Arrest (illustrative)
Arrest (illustrative)Flash 90

An alternative medicine therapist posing as a doctor has been indicted for rape, attempted rape, indecent acts, and fraud, following complaints by four female patients.

Dror Rotkowitz, a 56-year old resident of Jerusalem, was charged in a Jerusalem court Tuesday exactly two weeks after the allegations against him were first publicized by Israel Police.

Rotkowitz reportedly studied alternative medicine for one year abroad, then opened the “Natural Health Clinic” in the capital. Despite having no formal medical training, Rotkowitz assumed the title of “Doctor”.

At his clinic, located on Jerusalem’s Hillel Street, Rotkowitz offered a variety of alternative or holistic treatments including naturopathy, acupuncture, and carniosacral therapy. The clinic operated from 2008 to May 2017, when police began investigating the allegations against Rotkowitz.

During this period, Rotkowitz treated a number of female patients from the haredi sector, including women suffering from depression, anxiety, and physical ailments.

Rotkowitz offered “alternative” treatments which he promised would cure the women’s physical and emotional ills. While he acknowledged that his treatments were unorthodox and might make his patients feel uncomfortable, Rotkowitz claimed he had received rabbinic approbation for his techniques, falsely claiming senior haredi religious figures had given their approval.

Four women, all from the haredi sector, filed complaints with the police regarding Rotkowitz’s behavior, alleging that he had sexually assaulted them under the guise of medical treatment.

Some patients claimed that when they asked Rotkowitz to stop committing the sexual acts on them, he had refused.

“I’m sorry, but I have to,” Rotkowitz told one patient, according to a Behadrei Haredim report.