Natan Eshel extends leave from PMO

Legal advisors tell Eshel as long as investigations into alleged harassment continue, he should stay off the job.

By JPOST.COM STAFF
Nathan Eshel 311 (photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
Nathan Eshel 311
(photo credit: Marc Israel Sellem)
The Prime Minister’s Office’s chief of staff Natan Eshel has extended his leave from work by ten days, Army Radio reported Sunday.
Eshel's leave, taken amid allegations that the he harassed a female employee, was meant to end Monday. Legal advisors told Eshel that as long as investigations into the alleged harassment continued, he should stay out of the office, according to the report.
Attorney-General Yehuda Weinstein announced last Sunday that he will not ask the police to investigate the allegations. Instead, the Civil Service Commission's Investigations Branch will carry out a full investigation, including questioning those connected to the matter.

Eshel is suspected of harassing and intruding on the privacy of the female staffer, known only by the initial of her first name, ‘R.’ According to reports, the allegations were brought to the attention of the attorney-general by the cabinet secretary, Tzvi Hauser, the communications director, Yoaz Hendel, and military attaché Maj.- Gen. Yohanan Locker.

Eshel has not yet testified, and 'R' has requested not to testify on the issue in order to maintain privacy.
Joanna Paraszczuk contributed to this report