Immunity Revoked in Harassment Case

An Israeli parliamentary committee voted to revoke the immunity of former Transportation Minister Yitzhak Mordechai, who is accused by three women of sexual assault and harassment. Mordechai, 55, a former defense minister and a highly decorated general, resigned his Cabinet post May 28, after Atty. Gen. Elyakim Rubinstein announced that criminal charges would be brought. The charges centered on accusations by a former employee that Mordechai shoved her onto a couch and put his hand under her blouse. After the accusations were made public, two other women came forward with accounts of unwelcome sexual advances. Mordechai’s second wife, Cochavit, left him shortly after Rubinstein announced his decision.