Gil Ofarim caused frustration among certain jungle camp viewers.
People News
Even after 13 days in the jungle camp, Gil Ofarim’s behavior seems confusing to many viewers. His lawyer Alexander Stevens sheds light on the matter.
02/05/2026, 04:1902/05/2026, 04:19
Steven Sowa / t-online
Now the time has finally come, many viewers thought on Tuesday evening. Gil Ofarim took part in “I’m a star – get me out of here!” into the so-called jungle telephone and began a statement that seemed as if it could now bring clarity to his Star of David scandal. “The incident happened in Leipzig, but never had anything to do with the city of Leipzig or the state of Saxony,” Ofarim suddenly explained. And further: “If it came across like that, then I would like to apologize to the citizens of Leipzig.”
The jungle camp audience was likely to have taken note of this apology with some consternation. In any case, these statements did not provide any illuminating new details. A situation that Ofarim’s lawyer apparently wanted to take advantage of. Alexander Stevens, who represented the musician at the trial in Leipzig, announced a live talk on Instagram for late Wednesday afternoon. And indeed: Attorney Stevens brought more clarity than his client had the evening before.
Ofarim is not allowed to say anything “because we lawyers have muzzled him,” Stevens says there. And he justifies this decision like this: “Because such a highly complex, legal matter does not belong in the jungle.”
Opposite Markus W. contradicted Ofarim
There had been some confusion in the past few days because Gil Ofarim repeatedly spoke of a “non-disclosure agreement” or, alternatively, a “non-disclosure agreement” in the jungle camp, but the other side denied this. In a statement, Daniel Baumgärtner, who represented hotel employee Markus W. in court, said that only a cease-and-desist declaration had been agreed.
“In this, Gil Ofarim undertakes to our client to refrain from certain actions and statements that are punishable by law. The actions and statements relate to the allegations underlying the criminal proceedings before the Leipzig Regional Court.”
On November 28, 2023, the proceedings were stopped after the sixth day of the trial because Ofarim revealed his lie. He chose these words: “The allegations are true. Mr. W., I would like to apologize to you. I’m sorry. I deleted the video.” From a legal point of view, Ofarim was considered innocent ever since.
In addition, he paid 40,000 euros in compensation to the hotel employee. Against this background, it becomes clear why “the jungle camp can be not only a curse, but also a blessing,” says Gil Ofarim’s lawyer Alexander Stevens on Instagram. Because his client was unable to raise the money beyond the agreed additional 10,000 euros, which he had to donate to a Jewish institution. Ofarim is now expected to earn between 250,000 and 300,000 euros from the RTL show.
A sum that was previously reported in the media and was probably also known to his fellow campers – and which may have led to the high expectations that the public attached to Ofarim’s participation in the jungle camp. Many viewers found it inappropriate that he had not yet apologized for his lie after 13 days in the Australian jungle. “An apology was made – even publicly, in front of the world press,” said Ofarim’s lawyer. “There were 50 journalists in the courtroom.” Ofarim doesn’t have to “scourge himself every morning until the moral guardians are satisfied,” adds Alexander Stevens.
“These are legally very broadly defined”
The judge Thorsten Schleif, with whom Stevens had the conversation on Instagram, agrees with him: Then “the whole thing could have been saved,” he says, referring to Ofarim’s public confession. In terms of the German legal system, it is not intended to have to apologize multiple times for an act.
Thorsten Schleif also provides context for the mystery surrounding Gil Ofarim’s secrecy: “A cease-and-desist declaration has been made and from a legal perspective this is very broadly defined,” he emphasizes and then refers to a common practice:
“Most lawyers advise their clients: ‘It’s best not to say anything.'”
RTL confirms this small but subtle distinction in the matter and, when asked by t-online on Wednesday, said that “two different terms are often mixed up”. A cease-and-desist declaration is “something different than a confidentiality agreement”. The broadcaster also comments on the accusation that Ofarim misled RTL: “If Markus Küttner says that RTL knew nothing about a non-disclosure agreement, this refers to exactly this term and not to the cease-and-desist declaration,” said a station spokeswoman.
In the past few days, RTL has had to justify inviting a star who doesn’t deliver in the jungle camp and constantly refers to his confidentiality agreement – apparently using the wrong terminology and thus causing further confusion. The broadcaster only knew about the cease-and-desist declaration and apparently did not expect Ofarim’s lawyer, who “muzzled” him because of it.
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