Police to probe sexual assault claims against actor
Women’s organizations call to boycott premiere starring Moshe Ivgy after almost a dozen women came forth with allegations
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Police on Sunday began probing allegations of sexual assault against the Israeli theater and television actor Moshe Ivgy after complaints accumulated over the past few days.
So far, police have contacted two of the women and asked if they were prepared to lodge a formal complaint and testify against the actor, reports said.
The police probe into the issue was not considered an official investigation as of Sunday, because a formal complaint has yet to be lodged.
The two women approached by the police have claimed individually that they were sexually harassed by Ivgy at different times and places. The latest complaint refers to an incident that allegedly occurred in 2013.
Police believe that the two women will choose not to testify against Ivgy, and that looking into their complaints constitutes a preliminary step to determine whether there is sufficient material to charge Ivgy.
A former employee of the Haifa Theater has submitted a warning before a lawsuit to the theater, in which she claimed she was sexually harassed by Ivgy two years ago.
Activists called on theater-goers to boycott the Sunday night premiere of Ivgy’s new play
“My client has been going through some rough days,” said Ivgy’s lawyer, Zion Amir, in a press release on Friday. “Both he and I believe that these are crucial issues that should be looked into by the bodies authorized to do so. My client will be happy to submit his version of events if he is required to do so.
The Times of Israel Community.