This Wee

Assault Charged

Metro Detroit's Jewish
Assisted Living Community

Barak government rocked again by
allegations against Mordechai.

Resident Shirley Anstandig enjoys monthly visits
from the Pet-A-Pet Volunteer Program.

Elan Village's monthly rate includes:
• 24 hour Personal Care Assistance

• Three Kosher Meals Daily

• Housekeeping and Personal Laundry
Services

• Social, Cultural and Educational
Programs Daily

• On-Site Licensed Nurse and Medical
Services

• Medication Management

Deluxe Suite Available

Call today to schedule a tour

JANET ANTIN (248) 386-0303

26051 Lahser Road • Southfield, Michigan 48034

Elan Village provides

4/21
2000

30

Care that Changes with You

. Preferred Provider of the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Detroit

Yitzhak Mordechai

I

Jerusalem/JTA
sraeli police are recommending
that Transportation Minister
Yitzhak Mordechai be charged
with three counts of sexual-
assault. Mordechai, who took voluntary
leave from his post when the investiga-
tion was opened last month, could face
a seven-year jail term if convicted.
The police allegations issued
Sunday — of "debased acts carried out
with force" — are stronger than a sex-
ual harassment charge.
The recommendations followed a
police probe launched after a 23-year-
old female employee. in Mordechai's
office accused him last month of
repeatedly assaulting her and making
sexual propositions.
Her charges were followed by accu-
sations against Mordechai by other
women, dating back to his years in the
military. One woman said Mordechai
assaulted her in 1996, when he was
defense minister. Another filed a com-
plaint over an alleged 1992 incident,
when Mordechai was head of the Israel
Defense Force's northern command.
Police said the statute of limitations
had expired in claims filed by other
women.
In a statement, Mordechai continued
to maintain his innocence. He said he
hoped prosecutors would dismiss the
police recommendations, but that he

was ready to go to court if they did not.
A decision by the attorney general
to charge Mordechai would not only
sully the image of Prime Minister
Ehud Barak's government, but would
also hinder Barak's efforts to get sup-
port for his peace moves, when and if
significant progress is made.
Mordechai, a political moderate,
was viewed as a supporter of the peace
process in a Barak cabinet that
includes hawks.
Moreover, Mordechai's problems
have provided fodder for Barak's
opponents. The prime minister had
promised a clean government during
his election campaign.
The Mordechai scandal is the latest
in a series of scandals involving politi-
cal figures.
Earlier, police recommended that
former Prime Minister Binyamin
Netanyahu be charged with bribery,
fraud and breach of trust.
Police are continuing to investigate the
finances of nonprofit organizations that
worked in Barak's campaign last year.
Citing insufficient evidence and the
expiration of the statue of limitations,
police earlier this month recommend-
ed closing an investigation of
President Ezer Weizman for cash gifts
he received from a millionaire friend
while serving as a Knesset member
and cabinet minister.

❑