Knesset women’s rights panel chair: Ex-minister accused of assault shouldn’t lead aerospace giant

By Ariela Karmel

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18 January 2026, 4:36 pm

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Ariela Karmel is a political correspondent at The Times of Israel. She previously reported for Calcalist and Haaretz. She holds an MA in Middle Eastern and African History from Tel Aviv University and a BA in Political Science from the University of British Columbia.

MK Meirav Cohen leads the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality on November 25, 2025. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)

Yesh Atid MK Meirav Cohen, chair of the Knesset Committee for the Advancement of the Status of Women and Gender Equality, says the committee will urge the Defense Ministry against appointing former Likud minister Silvan Shalom, who has been repeatedly accused of sexual assault, to lead Israel Aerospace Industries.

During a committee session on support and assistance for victims of sexual violence, a woman who goes by Michal testifies that Shalom assaulted her when he served as science and technology minister.

“Make sure this man is not in a public position,” she says, adding that he should be in jail.

“You are placing Israel’s security in the hands of a rapist,” she continues.

Thirteen women in all came forward to make allegations against Shalom. None filed police complaints, and the police investigation into the allegations was subsequently closed. Shalom has denied the allegations.

Shalom’s former secretary said that after she told Likud lawmaker Gila Gamliel about his assault on her, Gamliel referred her to the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel.

Shalom resigned from political life in the face of the mounting allegations in 2015.

Then-Interior Minister Silvan Shalom on May 17, 2015. (Hadas Parush/Flash90)

Journalist Hadash Shteif testifies that she knows of at least four other women who worked at the Knesset who were assaulted by Shalom.

“This man is a sex offender. Period,” says Shteif.

“It’s unacceptable that a man who has harmed so many women would be given such a senior position,” she says.

In response, Cohen says that the committee will approach Defense Minister Israel Katz to urge him not to approve Shalom’s appointment.

Calcalist reported last week that Shalom was being recommended by Katz and Regional Cooperation Minister David Amsalem to take the helm of the state-owned IAI.

His nomination has drawn criticism from sexual assault victims’ advocates, including the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, which said, “His appointment will cast a heavy shadow on IAI and send a sharp and painful message about the priority of women’s safety.”