David Keyes, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s foreign media spokesperson, is taking some time off in response to allegations of sexual misconduct, the Times of Israel reports.
As the Journal has reported, New York state senate Democratic candidate Julia Salazar accused Keyes of sexually assaulting her in 2013, an allegation Keyes denied. But the Times of Israel found 11 other women who accused Keyes of inappropriate conduct:
Besides Salazar, one other woman who spoke to The Times of Israel accused Keyes of “physically aggressive” behavior that could be considered sexual assault. According to this woman’s account, he kissed her against her will and tried to undress her, and she had to use force to extricate herself from his embrace.
The other women described encounters they found either aggressive, offensive, overly flirtatious or otherwise inappropriate.
Additionally, Wall Street Journal reporter Shayndi Raice tweeted that Keyes is a “predator”:
https://twitter.com/Shayndi/status/1039629632293810176
Keyes has denied the allegations, but announced in a statement on Thursday that he was taking some time away from his position.
“In light of the false and misleading accusations against me and in order not to distract from the important work of the prime minister, I have asked to take time off to clear my name,” Keyes said. “I am fully confident that the truth will come out.”
