Israeli Attorney General Mulls Prosecuting Ex-court President for Sexual Harassment
Yitzhak Cohen, who used to head Nazareth District Court, is suspected of forcibly kissing his legal assistant.
Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein is considering prosecuting the ex-president of Nazareth District Court for indecent assault and sexual harassment, subject to a hearing at which the former judge, Yitzhak Cohen, will be given a chance to explain his actions.
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The Central District Prosecutor’s Office informed Cohen of the move Sunday.
Cohen is suspected of forcibly kissing his legal assistant while he served as deputy court president, and of harassing her on another occasion. Cohen will not be prosecuted for other allegations made by other women, either because the statute of limitations has expired or because of difficulties obtaining evidence.
According to investigators, Cohen allegedly tried to forcibly kiss the court worker, who turned her face so the kiss landed on her cheek instead of her mouth. Cohen claimed the employee was trying to comfort him and that the kiss had taken place with her consent.
Police recommended a year ago that Cohen be prosecuted. He resigned from the bench last year due to the investigation.