An Orthodox rabbi is standing trial for groping a female Israel Defense Forces officer during a flight aboard a commercial jetliner bound for New York City

Gavriel Bidany, 48, a father of 11 children, was traveling on a Delta flight from Tel Aviv and seated next to the young woman, who had fallen asleep. The woman has testified in Brooklyn federal court that she awoke to find the man's hand massaging her crotch and then her breasts. The rabbi pretended to be dozing and feigned innocence. The woman, a 23-year-old career military officer who holds the rank of lieutenant, then stood up and reported the assault to a flight attendant. Bidany fled to the back of the plane, and the attendants found him there. Bidany took the stand in his own defense, replying through a Hebrew-language interpreter.