‘Eshel probe includes sexual harassment allegation’

Reports suggest PMO Bureau chief allegedly took pictures from under complainant's skirt; A-G to convene discussion on findings.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN, JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Nathan Eshel 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Nathan Eshel 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
The investigation of Prime Minister’s Office Bureau Chief Natan Eshel has escalated to an investigation on sexual harassment, Channel 2 reported Friday evening.
On Saturday, Channel 1 reported that Eshel allegedly took pictures with a cellular phone from under the complainant’s skirt.
The Jerusalem Post could not independently confirm the veracity of either report.
The reports conflict with a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Wednesday, asserting that the allegations against Eshel were not sexual in nature.
Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein is expected to convene a discussion on Sunday on the findings of the investigation in Eshel’s case so far, and whether they warrant opening an investigation against him and whether such an investigation will be criminal or disciplinary in nature.
Earlier this week, it emerged that Cabinet Secretary Tzvi Hauser, communications director Yoaz Hendel and Maj.-Gen. Yohanan Locker took the complaints of a female staffer to Weinstein.
MK Shelly Yacimovich (Labor) called upon Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu Saturday to publicly support his three aides who accused Eshel of harassing his employee.
“It would be a scandal if any of them end up paying a price for acting ethically and according to the law,” Yacimovich said.
“If Netanyahu harms any of them, it would send the public messages that they should not report such violations of the law, that women’s bodies are up for grabs, and if wrong is done to them no one will help them.”