Hebrew University Criticized for Three-Year Handling of Sexual Harassment Complaint

Friends of Johanna Steinmeier, a mathematics PhD student at the Hebrew University, are outraged over the university's handling of her complaint of sexual harassment and emotional manipulation by her supervisor. The internal university tribunal process lasted nearly three years, during which Steinmeier's friends allege the university succumbed to delaying tactics employed by the Professor and his lawyers. Steinmeier, whose body was found in her apartment in February, did not live to see the conclusion of the proceedings, and the circumstances of her death remain officially undetermined. A close friend remarked, "She might have had a better life if she hadn't filed the complaint in the first place." The final ruling was issued in August, but only became public this week through posts by her associates. Steinmeier filed her complaint in November 2023, detailing incidents that occurred since 2021. The university tribunal's verdict was delivered in August 2025, with sentencing in December 2025, over two years after the complaint was filed. The Professor appealed his conviction, which was handed down last year, but the appeals court rejected his appeal, sentencing him to a five-year ban and a fine equivalent to two months' salary, to be paid to Steinmeier's heirs. While Steinmeier is deceased, the Professor continues his academic career, currently serving as a research director at France's National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and holding positions at Sorbonne University and Paris Cité University. A friend of Steinmeier's stated that the university lacked experience in handling such sensitive cases, allowing the Professor's lawyers to exploit every possible avenue for delay, while judges appeared powerless. The proceedings moved at a glacial pace, with hearings occurring only every few months. The university, according to the friend, lost control and yielded to the Professor's demands, hindering Steinmeier's ability to continue her life and forcing her to relive the events. The university's lawyers allegedly demanded excessive documentation, causing Steinmeier to feel unprotected throughout the protracted process. Criticism also emerged from within the university, with one source noting that warning signs were ignored. Professor Raz Kuperman, a former colleague of the Professor, expressed on Facebook that the institution was unprepared for severe cases involving sexual, emotional, and academic manipulation. The university, however, rejects the criticism. Pepi Yakirvitz, the university's Counselor for the Prevention of Sexual Harassment, told Haaretz that Steinmeier's goal of exposing the Professor's actions had been achieved, as he has been banned from the university and his name published. The university stated it acted in accordance with the law and regulations, refusing further comment due to the deceased's family's request for anonymity. Sources familiar with the case indicated that the Professor resigned before the university could dismiss him and quickly found employment in France, employing legal strategies to obstruct the tribunal process. The appeals court, led by attorney Talia Sasson, noted that the Professor's sentence was lenient given the severity of his actions but upheld it as no appeal was filed against it. The court expressed deep sorrow over Steinmeier's untimely death, acknowledging the distress the case caused her, while stating no known link between her death and the case. The university emphasized that the Professor's fine was the maximum allowed by regulations, though sources claim the maximum penalty amounts have not been updated in years. Past cases, including one in 2015 involving Professor Mario Schneider, resulted in dismissals, campus bans, and significant fines. A 2013 State Comptroller's report highlighted failures in handling sexual harassment in higher education. The university tribunal's powers are limited to faculty and students, and it rarely handles such complex cases. Following Steinmeier's death, the university established a committee to review procedures for handling sexual harassment complaints and expedite future cases. Steinmeier began her doctorate under the Professor in 2018, alleging sexual harassment, bullying, and emotional manipulation. Friends confirmed she shared her experiences before filing a formal complaint, aiming to stop the Professor from harming other women, despite fears of retaliation and damage to her academic career. She reportedly possessed extensive evidence, including correspondence and hotel receipts. University administration allegedly encouraged her to file the complaint, promising a swift resolution that did not materialize, causing her prolonged suffering. Yakirvitz stated Steinmeier was moved by the ruling and felt her claims were validated. However, a close friend reported that while relieved, she anticipated the Professor's appeal and felt unable to recover until the entire process concluded. The university reported the complaint to the Attorney General's office but Steinmeier declined to file a police report or pursue civil action, seeking to continue her academic work. The tribunal found the Professor guilty of sexual harassment and repeated offenses, as well as disciplinary violations due to his senior position, but acquitted him of bullying charges due to insufficient evidence. The appeals ruling detailed the Professor's manipulative tactics, including convincing Steinmeier to share a bed during trips abroad and repeatedly proposing a romantic relationship. Steinmeier, who moved from Germany to study under the Professor, felt significant dependence on him, especially as a student in a foreign country. Incidents described include shared accommodations during academic trips, with Princeton University reportedly intervening to provide separate rooms when issues arose. The Professor's defense that shared sleeping arrangements were between friends was rejected, with the court noting his manipulative behavior and exploitation of power imbalances. Steinmeier testified that she initially resisted but eventually succumbed to some advances, rationalizing them as interactions between close friends until the boundary was explicitly crossed. The university maintained it acted lawfully, striving to minimize the complainant's suffering while ensuring the accused's fair trial rights, despite the Professor's attempts to delay proceedings. They expressed sorrow over Steinmeier's death, noting she lived to see the initial ruling in her favor, and regretted the publication of her identity against her family's wishes.