Netanyahu's disgraced bureau chief may return to PMO
Natan Eshel meets with Prime Minister's Office's legal advisor as officials set ground for his return
Two days after the elections, officials at the prime minister's bureau are already busy trying to assign roles for Benjamin Netanyahu's new staff.
Less than a year after being dismissed over sexual harassment allegations, Netanyahu's former chief of staff Natan Eshel is being considered for a high ranking role in the PM's Office.
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Last March, Eshel admitted to inappropriate conduct involving a female government employee. Eshel admitted to the charge of "taking an inappropriate photograph" of R., a Prime Minister's Office clerk.
Eshel recently met with the Prime Minister's Office's legal advisor Attorney Shlomit Barnea- Fargo. The meeting was held in the backdrop of attempts to set the ground for Eshel's return to the civil service.
Natan Eshel (Photo: Amit Shabi)
Barnea denied meeting with Eshel, who on his part, confirmed the meeting. "We're friends and we met," he said.
He nevertheless claimed he had no wish to return to the PM's Office. "This issue has not been discussed and is out of the question."
However, less than two hours after denying meeting with Eshel, Barnea- Fargo changed her statement and confirmed she had met with the former bureau chief.
She nevertheless stressed that she was not asked to assess the legal aspects of Eshel's possible return.
Ynet has also learned that Attorney General Yehuda Weinstein was asked to weigh on the question of whether Eshel should be allowed to be involved in negotiations for the formation of the next coalition. The attorney general could not be reached for comment.
Itamar Eichner is a Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth correspondent
Tova Tzimuki contributed to this report
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