Inside the Netanyahu household: Staff describe years of alleged abuse and erratic behaviour

A maintenance worker who was reportedly diagnosed as autistic and received death wishes. A cook who claims she was handed a ‘bomb by hand’. A young ultra-Orthodox woman who described herself as a ‘slave’. And produce being thrown across rooms in front of the Prime Minister himself. Over several years, dozens of testimonies and complaints have accumulated against Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, allegations she has consistently denied. Following the emergence of yet another complaint last week, multiple cases paint a picture of a household marked by alleged volatility and mistreatment of staff.

The accounts from current and former employees at the Prime Minister’s official residence paint a pattern of behaviour characterised by shouting, physical gestures, and what workers describe as unpredictable mood swings. One former employee alleged that Mrs Netanyahu would ‘direct us, thrashing her arms, screaming and pulling hair’ whilst managing household operations. Another described being on the receiving end of verbal abuse, whilst others have claimed to have experienced what they characterise as degrading treatment.

The allegations span years and involve workers from various backgrounds and roles within the residence. Some have chosen to pursue legal action, whilst others have simply left their positions. The complaints have ranged from claims of verbal harassment to allegations of physical intimidation, with some staff members describing themselves as having felt unsafe in their working environment.

Mrs Netanyahu’s representatives have systematically rejected the allegations, dismissing them as mischaracterisations or exaggerations of normal workplace interactions. However, the accumulation of complaints from multiple independent sources has drawn ongoing scrutiny from Israeli media and civil society organisations focused on workers’ rights and harassment in the workplace. The case raises questions about accountability and workplace standards within even the most prominent households in Israel.

Source: Ynet — Original article in Hebrew.