A senior officer resigned as the head of operations for the Israeli Navy on Wednesday amid suspicions of sexual misconduct.
Brig. Gen. Shai Elbaz, formerly the head of Shayetet 13 naval commandos and a front-runner for the position of navy chief, tendered his resignation ahead of a forthcoming Channel 12 News report alleging he had multiple sexual relationships with subordinates in violation of military orders.
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The report, scheduled to air on Friday evening, also alleged sexual harassment on Elbaz's part in several cases, dating back a decade.
On Wednesday, Elbaz informed IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Aviv Kochavi and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Eli Sharvit of his decision to resign and asked to be relieved of his post immediately.
As the event allegedly transpired 10 years ago, they fall under the statute of limitations and the Military Police are not expected to investigate them at this time.
"Brig. Gen. Shai Elbaz asked to resign from the IDF over the publication of events that allegedly occurred more than 10 years ago and which included conduct that is not in line with the accepted norms of the IDF," the military said in a statement.
"Kohavi and Sharvit accepted his request. Brig. Gen. Elbaz is a high-ranking officer who has served in a variety of combat positions and contributed directly to state security," the statement continued. "The chief of staff determined that there is no place for such conduct in the IDF, which has zero-tolerance toward these types of incidents."
