Livid Sara Netanyahu threw plates across patio, says ex-cook

The Jerusalem Labor Court heard testimony on Sunday in multiple civil labor law cases alleging the prime minister’s wife mistreated employees working for the Netanyahu household, including throwing salad plates in a fit of rage.

Former maintenance worker Guy Eliyahu told the court how Sara Netanyahu called him back to work after midnight to warm up soup. “You’ll return whenever I want to eat,” she scolded him, he said.

He was also ordered back to the residence in the middle of the night for not wishing Mrs. Netanyahu a good night. “You have to say good night to me before you go,” he said he was told.

On another occasion he said he was sent to buy food only to be accused of “trying to make her fat” when he returned.

Eliyahu is suing the Prime Minister’s Office for wrongful dismissal and abusive treatment while working at the Prime Minister’s Office. Eliyahu’s allegations are similar to those made by former housekeeper Meni Naftali, as set out in a March complaint against the Netanyahus.

Menny Naftali, the former Prime Minister’s Residence manager, seen during a press conference in Tel Aviv, February 17, 2015. (Flash90)

In a complaint also filed with Jerusalem’s Labor Court, Naftali provided extensive descriptions of humiliation, racist remarks and angry fits that he allegedly suffered at the hands of Mrs. Netanyahu.

Both Eliyahu and Naftali claimed Mrs. Netanyahu’s “copious drinking” gave her “extreme moods.”

Former cook Eti Haim also testified Sunday, telling the court how she was once hit on the hand for mistakenly opening a door on Mrs. Netanyahu.

In a lengthy deposition, Haim also told of an occasion where plates were thrown across the garden patio.

“Mrs. Netanyahu was getting ready upstairs while the prime minister and [son] Avner [Netanyahu] waited on the patio reading a newspaper. We gave them salads, a bottle to drink from and glasses, and the prime minister asked [for the] sun cover,” Haim said.

“When Sara came down, she asked who [used] the cover and Guy [Eliyahu] said it was him. “Who told you to?” she started screaming. Guy said it was the prime minister, but he was reading a newspaper and ignored the scene. Then she said, ‘Take away all the salads, please clear the table and set it up again.’ Avner stood up and said, ‘Mom, it’s okay. Nothing happened.’ She was angry that he stood up for us and pulled away the tablecloth with everything on it. She was screaming with rage while Guy and I just stood there terrified. Then she threw the dishes with salads and pickles on the floor and said we had five minutes to set the table again.”

Haim had originally refused to testify but was compelled to by the court.

Sara Netanyahu is expected to give her testimony on October 29. The Netanyahus have dismissed the complaints as false accounts by disgruntled former employees.