Israel justice minister resigns over sexual harassment charges News
Israel justice minister resigns over sexual harassment charges

[JURIST] Israeli Justice Minister Haim Ramon [Knesset profile] announced Friday that he will formally resign from his position on Sunday over allegations that he kissed a woman at a party without her consent. On Thursday, Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz [official profile] decided to indict Ramon on the allegations, and on Friday, Ramon relinquished his parliamentary immunity and declined his right to a hearing on the charges, which automatically triggered his dismissal.

Ramon was banned from making legal decisions [Haaretz report] in July when the investigation was launched, and on Tuesday, police said that sufficient evidence exists to indict him [Haaretz report] on the harassment charges. Ramon insists that he is not criminally liable and that the contact was initiated by the 18-year old female soldier involved. No trial date has yet been announced. BBC News has more. Haaretz has local coverage.