Israel's Minister of Interior Silvan Shalom has stepped down and resigned from political life amid accumulating evidence from several women that he sexually harassed them.
Shalom wrote in his resignation announcement, "For 23 years, I have devotedly and faithfully served the public as a Knesset Member and Minister in various ministries out of a sense of mission and willingness to promote the most important social and public aims. I am weary of the trials being faced by me, my family, my wife and children and my mother. My family fully supports me and there is no justification for the price being exacted from me. In these circumstances, I have decided to resign my positions as a minister and MK."
This afternoon the Ministry of Justice held special consultations on the subject with the participation of the Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein and senior police officers in the Lahav 433 unit. Weinstein decided to continue the investigations in light of the new complaints against Shalom.
Two years ago, there were similar allegations against Shalom but the police closed the case due to a lack of evidence. This time too there were media reports but no women complained against Shalom. However, following police investigations, two women have agreed to cooperate with the police if guaranteed complete immunity by the Attorney General. This morning additional women came forward and said they had been harassed by Shalom. One woman claimed that Shalom had attacked her in his office.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 20, 2015
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