Israeli Police HR Chief Alona Shoshan Takes Leave Amid Sexual Harassment Complaint

Israel Police Commissioner Major General Danny Levi met with Deputy Commissioner Alona Shoshan, head of the police Human Resources Division, following her sexual harassment complaint against Deputy Commissioner Lior Abudraham, head of the police spokesperson unit. After their meeting, it was agreed that Shoshan would take leave until the investigation concludes, expected within the next few days.

Shoshan was revealed last Sunday as the senior officer who filed the complaint against Abudraham, who denies the allegations. Abudraham was also investigated by the Competition Authority as part of a broader case involving associates of Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which is being handled by the Police Investigations Department. This case also involves Commissioner of Prisons Kobi Yakobi, who faces charges of breach of trust and obstruction of justice.

Yakobi's defense lawyer claimed that Abudraham, the key witness against Yakobi, had a romantic relationship with a Police Investigations Department investigator, potentially compromising the investigation. Abudraham, who served as the police chief's assistant, testified that he informed Yakobi about a covert investigation against Avishi Moalem, contradicting Yakobi's claim of ignorance.

Following the Attorney General's decision to file charges against Yakobi, all his claims are under external review by the Competition Authority, including the alleged relationship between Abudraham and the investigator. During this process, Abudraham accused Shoshan of being sent to spy on him for Yakobi and admitted to providing her with false information. However, Shoshan testified that Abudraham sexually harassed her.

As a result, Abudraham was investigated for sexual harassment and removed from police stations. Shoshan was also questioned under caution for allegedly intimidating a witness by questioning Abudraham about the Ben-Gvir associates investigation. A source involved in the investigation stated that recordings of Abudraham aimed to provide evidence of his harassment of Shoshan, not to assist Yakobi.