Guard in rape case named

The bodyguard who was arrested on suspicion of attempting to rape a woman in Tel Aviv two weeks ago was identified yesterday as Capt. Erez Efrati, a 30-year-old man from Moshav Batzra.

His identity was revealed when the court lifted its gag order.

Efrati, a bodyguard of IDF Chief of Staff Gabi Ashkenazi, is suspected of raping and assaulting the woman, 22, after his bachelor party in the Tel Aviv Port earlier this month. His remand was extended yesterday for five more days, and he is expected to be indicted shortly.

A forensics laboratory has matched his DNA with evidence found on the woman.

Efrati told police he has no clear memory of the evening in question because he had been drinking at the party.

He has been under suicide watch because a psychiatrist who examined Efrati said he might attempt to kill himself. Efrati's father committed suicide after being accused of involvement in criminal acts.

The suspect is cuffed to his bed at night in what the Israel Prison Service says is a measure to prevent him from causing himself harm.

Vered Eli, Efrati's fiancee, said yesterday she continued to stand by him. The two met when they were 19, broke up and got back together again later.

A friend of Efrati's said he was usually with a girl, but that he seemed like a "romantic" who wouldn't harm anyone.

"He was a Don Juan as far as girls were concerned," the friend said yesterday. "We never got together at a pub where he didn't leave with some girl. He was a romantic, so I can't see him raping or beating anyone. He was always going around with some young woman, each more beautiful than the last."

Efrati was born in Afula and began serving in the Israel Defense Forces, in an elite commando unit, in March 1998.

"He never complained," recalled someone who served with Efrati. "Despite the difficulties, everything was easy to him. Anyone who knows him can't believe he is suspected of rape."

Even after reports of the DNA test that appear to tie Efrati to the act, his friends refuse to believe that he is guilty.

"We knew his father was involved in criminal acts and committed suicide, but he never spoke about it," his comrade said. "His mother was very involved in his life and we understood that he grew up without a father but in a warm, loving family."

Efrati was a member of the unit that killed Iyad Batat, a senior Hamas operative who was wanted for the murder of several Israelis, including Border Policeman Yehoshua Gavriel.

Efrati's commanders also said they find it hard to believe the charges against him.

"He was a quiet guy who did everything he was asked to do, but he had vices too and he wasn't one to take responsibility," one of the commanders said. "I know the stories about him being a great sniper, but that was not extraordinary in that unit."

After completing his military service, Efrati took a job as a bodyguard.

"He was an excellent fighter but he realized he was not going to be promoted, and that bothered him," an army buddy of Efrati's said.