A high-ranking politician from central Israel is suspected of sexual misconduct involving a minor. In an Israel Hayom report, Yair (alias), said he was allegedly paid by the man in exchange for sexual favors when he was just 15 years old.
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The victim, whose identity cannot be named for legal reasons, said he became homeless at the age of 13 and turned to prostitution in Tel Aviv "because there was truly no other choice."
Yair said he met the man, who he did not know was a politician, early on and he reportedly became his regular client.
"He pulled up in his car and I remember it smelled really bad and inside was a very anxious man," Yair said. "I got in the car and we drove away. Because he was stressed and worried everything had to be fast and it was better for me because I didn't want to be there … For half a year we met regularly once every week weeks."
After several years in the street, Yair began a rehabilitation journey with the help of the Elem association that works with youth in distress by providing shelter, food, and counseling.
"One day, I was walking down the street and saw his picture. I just froze and everything came back to me in an instant. I took a photo of the poster and sent it to my social worker. She told me who the man was. I told her that he used to be my regular client. I didn't do anything, because I preferred to focus on my life."
A day after the expose, undated footage surfaced of Yair confronting the politician several years after the initial incident and asking him to confirm whether he was in fact that politician. The man refused.
What prompted Yair to come forward were the criminal investigations into the sexual misconduct allegations against popular TV personality Gal Uchovsky and politician and LGBT activist Etai Pinkas Arad.
In a separate incident, "we met in a café in Tel Aviv and I bombarded him with accusations," Yair said. "I told him about the consequences of his actions, and how he made me hate myself. He immediately recognized me and remembered the incidents. He did not say sorry or apologize. I filmed the meeting with a hidden camera and he suspected it, but just before we parted he tried to touch me."
According to Yair, the politician invited him to dinner the next day in an attempt to keep him quiet. "I experienced the feelings of disgust and trauma, and he thinks a dinner will solve everything? Instead of trying to rectify the situation, he made it a lot worse."
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