Yinon Magal proclaims innocence after police close sex harassment probe

Former Jewish Home MK Yinon Magal calls on women who claimed he had sexually harassed them to contact the police and file a complaint, after police announced earlier that they had not found enough evidence to recommend an indictment against him.

“I’m sure there was no criminal aspect to my actions,” Magal says during a press conference outside his home. Magal resigned from the Knesset in November amid the claims of sexual harassment and indecent acts against women.

“I was very surprised by the publications against me. None of the women who turned to the media came to me with their claims. I firmly believe we should eradicate sexual harassment, but not accuse a person who is innocent. I stopped living. I was humiliated in front of everyone and in front of my family.”

“Therefore, I appeal to all those who wrote against me online, please turn to the police, because it can not be discussed only on the Internet. I am not a criminal.”

Cops probed Magal, who was a lawmaker for the Jewish Home party, on suspicion that, before he entered politics, he had harassed female subordinates. During the investigation, police gathered testimony from women who had worked for Magal over the years, including when he was editor of the Walla news website.

As a serving Knesset member, Magal enjoyed immunity from investigations, hearings and legal proceedings that were unrelated to his work as a member of Knesset. He lost that immunity when he resigned.

The journalist-turned-lawmaker, who is married, was accused by four women of sexual harassment, but none filed a formal complaint. Magal has apologized for his behavior, which he called “hurtful” but insisted wasn’t criminal.