Israeli Lawmaker Nissan Slomiansky Accused of Sexual Misconduct

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By Naomi Zeveloff December 15, 2016

Nissan Slomiansky, a 70-year-old lawmaker with the ultra-right Jewish Home party in Israel, is facing accusations of alleged sexual misconduct against several women.

Israel’s Army Radio reported that Slomiansky was the alleged perpetrator in question after activist Chagit Moriah-Gibor said on Facebook that she had been collecting testimony against a senior Israeli lawmaker in her party, though no woman was willing to press charges. The allegations include physical assault, sexual assault and harassment.

According to the Times of Israel, a group of rabbis affiliated with Jewish Home had investigated the matter and Slomiansky is expected to apologize and step down from his post as head of the Knesset Justice and Law Committee.

In a statement Slomiansky denied “ever assaulting women.”

A police spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment about whether the police will be opening an investigation on the matter.

Another Jewish Home lawmaker, Yinon Magal, stepped down from the Knesset amid sexual assault allegations in 2015. The Tel Aviv district attorney did not find enough evidence to indict Magal.

Contact Naomi Zeveloff at [email protected] or on Twitter @naomizeveloff

Naomi Zeveloff is the former Middle East correspondent of the Forward, primarily covering Israel and the Palestinian Territories.

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