Israeli Pop Star Questioned After New Evidence Emerges in Sexual Misconduct Case

Israeli singer Eyal Golan was questioned by police on Wednesday on suspicion of suborning a person to perform an act of prostitution, eight years after the high-profile case over the same allegations against the king of modern Mizrahi pop music was closed.

Police brought Golan in for questioning in light of two new complaints, brought forward by two of the women who had initially accused him nine years ago. One of them was a minor at the time.

The new complaints include new details about the events that require a re-examination of the case by Tel Aviv's district prosecutor, police sources said. If convicted, Golan could face up to five years in prison.

Liam Productions, the record label owned by Golan, responded, “The false complaints against Eyal Golan were efficiently and seriously investigated years ago. Eyal Golan cooperated with the investigation agencies, appeared when necessary and offered detailed, honest testimony, to the best of his knowledge. No fault was found in his actions and the case was closed. Even in an investigation which is ultimately artificial and seeks to tie Eyal to events that he has no connection with, Eyal will do his best to aid the police in revealing the truth. He is certain that the police will again find no fault with his actions and the case will be closed.”

Several of Golan’s associates have been questioned in recent weeks as part of the revived investigation of the case, including Israeli soccer star Haim Revivo, who denied all allegations against him.

Golan was first questioned by police in 2013, about a week after it emerged that he was being investigated on suspicion of paying a minor for sex and using drugs with a minor. However, he was never questioned on the suspicion of suborning a person to perform an act of prostitution, an offense for which his father, Danny Biton, was famously convicted of in April 2015. Golan said in various interviews at the time that he had nothing to do with his father’s actions and since the case came to light he has cut off ties with his father.

The case against Golan was closed due to lack of evidence in 2014. The prosecution also closed the cases against Golan’s associates, including his driver.

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Despite the closure of the case, a Haaretz investigation in 2019 revealed a pattern wherein underage female fans of the singer were groomed by Biton and others for Golan and his band members and friends. Testimonies from victims revealed they were actively passed along between Golan and close associates, often agreeing to be pimped out in hopes of remaining close with the star.