Minister quits over kiss

2006-08-21 08:23

Jerusalem - Israeli justice minister Haim Ramon resigned on Sunday, several days after the attorney-general decided to indict him over accusations of sexual harassment.

"Mr Ramon tendered his letter of resignation this evening," a government spokesperson told AFP.

Attorney-general Menachem Mazuz decided on Thursday to indict Ramon - a close aide of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and a leading member of his centrist Kadima party - over accusations of sexual harassment lodged by a woman soldier.

The woman reportedly said the justice minister tried "to kiss her in an aggressive manner" during a social gathering at the defence ministry in Tel Aviv, days after the launch of Israel's offensive in Lebanon.

Ramon, a lawyer, veteran MP and two-time interior minister, has categorically denied the allegations.

"I am certain of my innocence and will prove it in court," he said last week.

He refused to meet with Mazuz to discuss the case, as he is entitled to by law, according to members of his entourage.

Mazuz decided to indict the minister after Ramon was confronted with his accuser, who is currently in South America, via video conference.

Another woman on Friday claimed in the Maariv newspaper that Ramon had also sexually harassed her three years ago.

- AFP