AG will not seek criminal probe into Netanyahu aide's sexual harassment case
PM's bureau chief Natan Eshel will be investigated by the Civil Service Commission and his alleged victim, R., will be asked to testify; Eshel instructed to take 10-day vacation.
By Tomer Zarchin Tags: Benjamin NetanyahuAttorney General Yehuda Weinstein decided Sunday that he will not launch a criminal investigation into the Eshel affair, in which Netanyahu's bureau chief is suspected of harassing a female employee.
Weinstein decided that instead, an investigation will be conducted by the Civil Service Commission, and that R., Natan Eshel's alleged victim, will have to testify. Eshel announced Sunday that he will be taking a 10-day vacation, as he was instructed by Weinstein.
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Natan Eshel on his way to synagogue in Tel Aviv Friday afternoon. |
| Photo by: Nir Keidar |
Sources told Haaretz and other media outlets last week that Natan Eshel sexually harassed an official in the Prime Minister's Office who is identified in the media only by the initial R. Sources close to Eshel said it was "cheap gossip."
Over the weekend, Weinstein received the interim report from the preliminary Civil Service Commission investigation he ordered just a few days days ago; the document contains evidence that Eshel may have committed sexual offenses against R.
Sources told Haaretz last week that three senior members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's staff - Hendel, Cabinet Secretary Zvi Hauser and Military Secretary Yohanan Locker - told Weinstein about Eshel's alleged improprieties.
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The woman who complained to a senior colleague about Eshel was summoned to the Civil Service Commission investigating the case, but declined to appear. By law, she must appear, and must testify unless her testimony will incriminate her. Her refusal to appear raises the suspicion that her complaint was groundless and that this is the "incrimination' she fears. Otherwise, it is hard to see how anything can incriminate her. In any case, this is a fair possibility. Since the Prime Minister's office is a very sensitive post, the reasonable suspicion about the woman's trustworthiness is enough to move her to some other post. It may not constitute sufficient grounds for dismissal from the Civil Service, but certainly removal from the present post to some "Siberia".
He made an advance. She rebuffed him. He took the hint, and there it ended. All perfectly normal in a permissive society. Except that in an unguarded moment she let slip a remark, and Eshel’s opponents pounced on it.
Powerful men have powerful means, powerful friends, and powerful bank accounts. Runnnig afoul of that clique will result in a lifetime of misery. Your reaction is exactly what the bads guys count on.
I hope not too many. Tee heeeee!!