Israeli Deputy Prime
Minister Silvan Shalom has resigned over accusations from several women that he
sexually molested them, according to media reports. The 57-year-old man
said on Monday in Tel Aviv that it had become necessary for him to resign,
because the distress was becoming unbearable for him.
“I
have had enough of the distress and I hope to protect my mother, wife and five
children from further scandal. “My family stands behind me, but it is no
longer worth the cost,” he said. Meanwhile, Israeli Attorney-General,
Yehuda Weinstein, has launched an investigation into the claims, which forced
Shalom out of the presidential race last year.
Shalom
was a leading member of the ruling right-wing Likud party and had previously
served as foreign and finance minister. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu had tasked Shalom in May with leading negotiations with
Palestinians. The talks stalled last year and Shalom had spoken out in the
past against a Palestinian state.
Shalom
was married to journalist Judy Nir-Moses, a member of one of Israel’s most
prominent families. Israeli newspaper Haaretz had reported about
accusations from a former colleague who accused Shalom of attempting to touch
her inappropriately. After the accusations became public, other women
stepped forward with similar allegations.
Meanwhile,
politicians from the left-liberal opposition party, Merez, welcomed the
resignation as a “victory for public norms” that must be followed by Israel’s
political representatives.
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