Husband of maid who sued PM's wife: I received death threats
Haim Peretz, husband of woman who claims she was humiliated by Sara Netanyahu while working as housekeeper at Netanyahu family's Caesarea residence, claims he was told over the phone to drop lawsuit within 12 hours or else harm would come to him and his children
Lillian Peretz, a former housekeeper for the Netanyahu family in their Caesarea residence, filed a complaint on Monday with the Hadera police station over threats she claims were made against her husband and the couple's children .
Ms. Peretz recently filed a lawsuit against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's wife, Sara.
Last week it was made public that Peretz filed a lawsuit with the Tel Aviv Regional Labor Court, claiming that while in Netanyahu's employ, she was made to shower and change her clothes several times a day and to compliment the first lady, telling her "she was pretty and smart."
The lawsuit alleges Peretz's woes were "like the story of Cinderella," evidently comparing Ms. Netanyahu - a former air stewardess and now a practicing psychologist - to the fairy tale's evil stepmother.
The 44-year-old mother of four claimed she was paid less than the minimum wage and that the Netanyahus did not pay her social benefits when she worked at their weekend.
At the Hadera police station, Lillian's husband Haim said he had received a phone call in which he was told that if the lawsuit filed by his wife is not dropped within 12 hours he and his children would be harmed.
According to Haim Peretz, the man at the other end of the line told him, "You're not getting the hint – if you don’t drop the claim, we'll murder you and the kids."
The husband said the man who threatened him knew his children's names and said, "Warning shots will be fired in the air."
Peretz told police that he hung up the phone, and did not answer when the man called twice more. The calls were made from a number that was handed over to investigators.
At the station's entrance Lillian Peretz said, "I fear for my children, because the threats are continuing. I expect the police to do something. I am carrying on as usual – I cook for my kids and help them with their homework. I hope those who are threatening us will be caught."
Peretz stressed that she has no intention of dropping the lawsuit. "I sleep well, because I know that in court it will be proven that I am right. No one will break me," she said.
Last week Lillian Peretz filed a similar complaint, saying she received a phone call from a man threatening her life and giving her 12 hours to pull the lawsuit. "I never imagined it would come to this," she told reporters at the Hadera police station.
Ms. Netanyahu called the lawsuit a smear job based on fabrications and slander. According to Ms. Netanyahu's statement, the former maid was treated "with warmth and love."
AFP contributed to the report
