Gil Ofarim: How the star went into the interview

The star spoken to the musician Gil Ofarim in his apartment. It was his first interview since he had made a surprising confession in the defamation process in November 2023. Two years earlier, Ofarim had accused the employee of a Leipzig hotel in an Instagram video of insulting him anti-Semitic. In the star-InterView now spoke about his financial and physical crash since the scandal, his confession and hope of a second chance. This resulted in a portrait via Ofarim. Why did we do that? Here we answer the most important questions about the text.

The first meeting with Ofarims Manager Marcel Pieofke took place in Berlin in December 2024. At that time, Pieofke described the financial emergency in which Ofarim was, and his hope to create a comeback with a new single and a concert in spring 2025. In order for the public to give the musician a chance, Ofarim has to deal with how the process and confession had occurred. He wanted to help, said Pieofke. A picture of Ofarim has been solidified in public since the scandal: that of the insulted celebrity who had lied out of self -benefit. But reality is not that black and white, said Pieofke. He was concerned with illuminating the gray areas. Pieofke promised that star Full transparency. He provided the reporters all the trial files of the case, as well as access to the lawyers of Ofarim, his friends and of course Ofarim himself. In the evaluation of the documents, the star completely free. Ofarim was allowed to read and authorize the quotations used from the interview. The fact that quotes are coordinated with the interlocutor before publication is common practice for German media.

Can we add something of public interest to the case that has already done so much damage? That has the star-Credaction discussed internally. The reporters had an insight into the entire investigation files, more than 2,000 pages, including reports, process protocols and surveillance videos from the hotel. The documents draw the image of a derailed affair that has only left losers and which is not as clear as it seemed for a long time. It is about an artist who has contributed a lot to escalate the situation through his own misjudgments and bad consultants. Who used the power of his Instagram account to publicly accuse a stranger. The charges against Ofarim are also about criminal offenses that would otherwise often not even lead to charges. It is about a singer who was never convicted by a court, but still can no longer work. And it is about the difficult handling of anti -Semitic prejudices.

In this respect, the Ofarim case stands for a greater question: How does the public deal with a man who is legally considered innocent, but which is nevertheless considered guilty and outlawed by many? Our task as journalists is to question and classify facts. So also in the case of Gil Ofarim: We decided to hear his story – and to compensate for what the other side says in the conflict. We spoke to the video testers who were entrusted with the case, with journalists who reported on the process and with the lawyers of the affected hotel. We would also have liked to talk to Ofarim’s former manager and the hotel employee accused by Ofarim. However, both rejected a conversation.

Gil Ofarim submitted an injunction to the accused hotel employee on the last day of the trial. In this he committed himself not to repeat any of his allegations against the receptionist. Therefore, Ofarim are very close legal limits, which he can still say about the incident. According to the lawyers, even Ofarim’s friends must not be cited to believe in Ofarim’s version of the events at the time.

No. The star In principle, there is no money for interviews with and information from celebrities.

The star Released numerous texts, videos and other content every day. A large part of it, especially the latest news and information, is free of charge for our readers. At the same time, a selection of articles is only accessible to our subscribers, because outstanding journalism costs money. More than 100 permanent reporters write for the staryour work must be paid appropriately. Just behind the article on Gil Ofarim is a research of two editors several months. Who a star-Bo concludes, thus also ensures the future of good journalism in Germany.