Habayit Hayehudi MK questioned under caution in harassment case

Police Major Crimes Unit investigators on Sunday questioned Habayit Hayehudi MK Nissan Slomiansky under caution as part of an investigation into the alleged sexual harassment of several women.

Slomiansky, who denies any wrongdoing, was questioned for four hours.

Attorney General Avichai Mendelblit ordered a police investigation into Slomiansky's conduct in December 2016, after eight women accused him of sexual harassment.

The women all made similar accusations, claiming the lawmaker would verbally harass them, make obscene suggestions, and in some cases kiss them against their will.

While most of the women were reluctant to press charges against Slomiansky, who chairs the Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, the police were able to persuade two of them to give official statements. Nevertheless, the two women said they would not testify against him in court.

A police source said it was too early to tell whether the investigation would lead to an indictment.

Attorney Rachel Toren, who represents Slomiansky, issued a statement saying, "The reports about the investigation are untrue and do not match in any way what it has found. MK Slomiansky is happy to have the opportunity to put an end to the rumors and to the court martial led by certain interested parties."

Galia Wallach, head of the Naamat women's group, urged Habayit Hayehudi leader Naftali Bennett to suspend Slomiansky.

"I call on Habayit Hayehudi's leader to exercise his authority and set a moral and public standard," she said.

Habayit Hayehudi activist Chagit Moriah-Gibor, who exposed Slomiansky's alleged acts on Facebook, lauded the police "for their thorough investigation" and said she was "cautiously optimistic" that an indictment would be filed.

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