Last update - 00:00 23/11/2006
As trial continues, Ramon accuses prosecutor of unfair treatment
By Nir Hasson, Haaretz Correspondent
Former justice minister Haim Ramon accused prosecutor Ariela Segal-Anteler of unfair treatment as his trial continued on Thursday at Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court.
Ramon is accused of sexual harassment for allegedly forcibly kissing a female Israel Defense Forces soldier.
The former justice minister reiterated his claim that the kiss with the complainant, H., was a brief and consensual event.
He also hired a computer expert in an effort to prove that the kiss could have been observed from the adjacent room.
For this purpose, Ramon shot a reenactment film at the Prime Minister's office at army headquarters with his niece filling in for the complainant. Using the film, the computer expert calculated the exact location of the kiss.
When asked if he always interpreted flirtations as a desire for a sexual or romantic relationship, Ramon responded that he has had long relationships in the past that began in such a manner.
He also offered to present the names of some former suitors who had become his girlfriends.
Ramon explained that he was aware that as a famous public figure, he was vulnerable to attempts to harm him by seducing him, and said that he has usually been careful.
"Unfortunately, I wasn't [careful] this time," he told the judge.
Responding to the prosecutor's claim that Ramon was presenting himself as a victim on whom H. nearly forced herself, Ramon said that "when a prosecutor has nearly nothing that relies on facts, there is imagination."
Ramon insisted that he was then, and still is, convinced the complainant wanted the kiss.
He said she didn't want "an all-out French kiss, but rather a quick kiss - a direct continuation of the flirtation."
"She didn't show an ounce of objection," Ramon said. "On the contrary, she played along."
"Those two seconds were all that was," Ramon said, raising his voice, "It's insane to accuse me the way the prosecution is insinuating. If someone makes a mistake, it should end with a slap, not a criminal trial."
The prosecutor asked if there were similar incidents to the one with H., and Ramon responded that he has never harassed a woman.
"Whoever wasn't interested made that clear through words or actions," Ramon said. "Contrary to Miri Golan's promise, there is only one complaint, not 10. I'm a victim of the prosecution - an indicted victim."
Other witnesses for the defense included cabinet secretary Israel Maimon and Colonel Yaakov Vilian, who serves at the cabinet minister's office.
The two testified behind closed doors as to the credibility and character of H. Maimon is said to have testified that the complainant also offered him to go to Costa Rica with her.