ISRAEL
Israel’s Civil Service Commission has closed the case against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official spokesperson, David Keyes (pictured), saying allegations of sexual misconduct against him relate to events that took place before he joined the Public Service and are therefore outside its jurisdiction.
This is even though the Times of Israel reported that one of the accusations relates to an incident that took place after he had assumed his current position.
The newspaper published the testimony of a woman who said Mr Keyes acted aggressively towards her — after he had assumed his position with Mr Netanyahu.
However, the Commission said all the cases presented to it took place before Mr Keyes joined the Public Service.
The Commission justified its decision on the basis that no criminal charges had been filed against Mr Keyes, who is currently on “voluntary leave” and who is expected to officially resign with the conclusion of the probe.
The Commission began to examine the case in September and said at the time if the incidents described in testimonies against Mr Keyes occurred while he was living in the United States and predated his service, “these matters are not within the jurisdiction of the Civil Service Commission”.
It said any alleged offences of this nature were the responsibility of the US authorities and the laws that applied there.
Jerusalem, 22 November 2018
