Netanyahu with Peretz
Photo: Raanan Ben-Zur
Sara Netanyahu calls maid's suit 'frivolous'
First lady files statement of defense saying Lillian Peretz was 'treated warmly, lovingly'
First lady Sara Netanyahu issued a statement of defense Wednesday in the lawsuit filed against her by her former housekeeper, Lillian Peretz,
in which she calls it a "frivolous, groundless, and malicious suit".
"The statement of claim is full of claims invented to suit the moment, which have no truth to them," Netanyahu says. "The plaintiff, Lillian Peretz, worked at the Netanyahu home for six years because she was treated warmly and lovingly. She said so herself many times: 'I came because of Bibi, but stayed for Sara'."
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The statement of defense also contains notes left by the housekeeper for the Netanyahus over the years. One of them, left after the general elections, says: "To my dear family! Congratulations on your success. I'm so proud of you, and love you so much. Lillian."
Netanyahu's attorneys also mention that the couple was present at many of the maid's family events, including the Mimuna and her daughter's Bat Mitzvah, and lavished her with gifts.
Other benefits Peretz received, according to the statement, were the employment of her husband at a number of odd jobs around the Netanyahu residence for which he was paid "prices incomparable with those of other workmen".
Netanyahu also rejects Peretz's claims of unlawful working conditions. "The plaintiff worked part time, without supervision and at the hours comfortable for her. She was not required to work on Saturdays, or to answer the phone on the Sabbath. When the plaintiff performed tasks outside her job description she received ample pay," the statement says.
It also mentions that Peretz was not fired, but resigned after having been refused a pay raise, and that her employment conditions did not worsen in any way over the years.
Peretz's original statement of claim said, "Sara Netanyahu abused me, paid me less than minimum wage, didn't pay my social benefits, forced me to work Saturdays even though I observe Shabbat, and forced me to call her 'Mrs. Sara Netanyahu'."
It adds, "Lillian was forced to bring four sets of work cloths to work each day: A set for doing laundry, a set for cleaning the toilets and the showers, a set for cleaning the rooms, and a fourth set for cleaning the kitchen.
"If she would dare violate Netanyahu's clear orders, the latter would shriek and lose her mind over how Lillian must maintain maximum sterility and not pollute the house."
