MK Nissan Slomiansky
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Slomiansky quits leadership of Knesset committee
Decision to step down from MK Constitutional, law and Justice Committee comes amid denials of any sexual assault claims leveled against him; ‘It’s the right thing to do to allow a fair check into all the claims that have been made.’
MK Nissan Slomiansky (Bayit Yehudi) announced Sunday his decision to vacate his post as director of the Constitutional, Law and Justice Committee over allegations of sexual harassment.
“I am aware of the weight of responsibility entailed in the job, but more importantly, I think the right thing to do is to allow a fair check into all the claims that have been made,” Slomiansky said.
“This morning, I approached the leader of the party, Naftali Bennett and informed the Knesset’s Legal Advisor Eyal Yanun of my decision to cease to direct the committee for the time being, out of respect for the job, for the members of the committee and the public.”
MK Nissan Slomiansky (Photo: Yair Sagi)
“I sincerely regret if any conduct on my part was misinterpreted, and if I knew who (we were talking about) I would personally and fully apologize to them,” he continued.
Accusations of sexual assault against Slomiansky surfaced following a Facebook post two weeks ago by Hagit Moriah-Gibor urging women to come forward and report any incidents in which the MK sexually assaulted them.
Shortly thereafter, Slomiansky made clear his intention not to step down from his post.
"MK Nissan Slomiansky has never harassed women. After a meeting with several rabbis, he understood that his warmhearted behavior, which is the same toward everyone, is sometimes interpreted in a different way, and for that he is sorry. MK Slomiansky has been serving the public for 40 years, including time in the Knesset, and he will continue to do so," said an official on his behalf.
Continuing the apology, the statement went on to say that he “hugged and shook hands or held an elbow without any sexual intention.”
Despite protesting his innocence, a police investigation was launched against Slomiansky at the behest of Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit.
Following Slomiansky’s meeting with Bennett, the Bayit Yehudi leader issued a statement encouraging all those who may have been affected to come forth and file a complaint.
