ByJERUSALEM POST STAFF

Israeli police have opened a criminal investigation into Israeli modeling agent Shai Avital, Israeli media reported on Monday, after multiple accusations of sexual assault and an accusation of rape were made public following an investigation on Israeli investigative TV show Hazinor.

One woman who accused Avital of assault, graphically described an incident in which he allegedly locked her in a room with him and "put his hands in and pushed his fingers in," Walla reported. Avital allegedly continued to touch the woman despite her telling him to "get away from her." The woman also reported that Avital removed his pants in an attempt to force himself on her.

Israeli model Hila Krugman took to Instagram to share her own experiences with Avital saying that she was "lucky" he only attempted to physically force himself on her one time - trying to kiss her when she was 19.

Krugman went on to say that Avital sent her messages for years telling her that if she "did not cooperate" she would lose money, and worked to sabotage her career at various opportunities.

"We live in a world where without solid proof, it is very hard to stand up against powerful and connected people," said Krugman

"For years he abused me with smooth talking that could definitely be taken more than one way."Following the publication of the complaints against Avital, a leading model at his agency Neta Alchemister, announced that she would be ending her ties with him and his company.She has been represented by him for several years, and also spent time with him in a capacity outside of work, according to Walla News. However, following the allegations, she has decided to cut ties with him, and explained her reasons in a post on Instagram, saying that "sexual assault, verbal or physical, is a difficult and traumatic experience. The allegations regarding Shai will not allow me to continue as normal, or to stay silent."Public Security Minister Omer Bar Lev commented on the accusations on Twitter on Sunday evening, saying: "Following the harsh publications and dozens of testimonies that have been published about sexual assault in the modeling world, I ask and call on more women who have been harmed to file a complaint with the police. The police have already begun to investigate the matter, but any complaint filed will be meaningful, and the police will do everything to investigate them to the end.
"I understand that filing a complaint against sexual assault is a painful process that requires a lot of mental strength, it is not a simple demand.  I recognize this, so I have appointed a consultant on violence against women, I intend to work with her and the professionals to examine the procedure for filing a complaint and how to improve the responses and the way in which such cases will be handled in the future," Bar Lev concluded.Avital currently manages All in One Management, and has worked in model management for 18 years, according to All in One's website.