High Court Allows Naming of Senior Lahav 433 Officer Accused of Sex Offenses
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
The Israeli Supreme Court has allowed the public identification of senior Lahav 433 officer Tomer Strauss, who faced allegations of sexual harassment. The criminal case against Strauss was closed due to insufficient evidence, with a disciplinary warning issued instead. Strauss claimed the accusations were false, a stance supported by his attorney. The court ruled that the harm of publishing his name did not outweigh the public's interest in discussing the allegations.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Supreme Court allows naming of senior Lahav 433 officer Tomer Strauss over sex offense allegations.
- Criminal case against Strauss closed due to insufficient evidence; disciplinary warning issued.
- Strauss claimed accusations were false and sought to prevent his name from being published.
- Court ruled public interest in discussing allegations outweighs harm of naming Strauss.
- Strauss's name previously linked to probe of relative's promotion.
The Israeli Supreme Court on Thursday permitted the public identification of Superintendent Tomer Strauss, a senior officer in the Lahav 433 police unit, who had been investigated by the Police Internal Investigations Department (MAHASH) on suspicion of indecent acts and sexual harassment against a subordinate officer. Strauss had engaged in a legal battle for over six months to prevent his name from being published.
The criminal case against Strauss was closed due to insufficient evidence. In a disciplinary proceeding, it was decided to issue a "commander's warning." Strauss maintained his innocence, claiming the accusations were fabricated and that publishing his name would cause him severe harm. The Supreme Court rejected his request, stating that no severe harm justifying a gag order had been proven. The court emphasized that gag orders should be exceptional and that public discussion of sexual offense allegations is important, even when a case is closed.
The District Court had previously reviewed the investigation materials and determined that the situation did not constitute a clear case of a false accusation. Strauss's attorney, Liran Zilberman, stated that his client is a decorated officer who fought crime on the front lines and that the complaint was false, filed by an officer on the verge of dismissal. Zilberman thanked MAHASH for uncovering the truth and closing the case, and the police disciplinary department for the disciplinary closure, which he argued further proved the complaint was baseless.
Strauss's name had previously surfaced last year in connection with another matter, where the Commander of Lahav 433, Meni Ben-Yamin, was investigated for allegedly promoting Strauss, his wife's cousin, to head the investigations division of the Israel Police's National Bureau of Investigation (YAHBAL). However, sources close to Ben-Yamin criticized the investigation, arguing there was no offense as Strauss was not defined as a relative under the law. MAHASH claimed Strauss was a relative, but Ben-Yamin's associates questioned how a conflict of interest was determined when Ben-Yamin had previously commanded Strauss for three years without such a designation, as police regulations define "cousin" as a child of an uncle or aunt, and do not classify a spouse's cousin as a close relative.
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