Tel Aviv University Suspends 80-Year-Old Professor Over Harassment
Tel Aviv University suspended an 80-year-old professor emeritus for two years following convictions of sexual harassment and verbal abuse toward subordinates.
Tel Aviv University's disciplinary tribunal has suspended an 80-year-old professor emeritus for two years after he was convicted of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior toward a doctoral student and a postdoctoral researcher, as well as misconduct involving a research assistant and a laboratory worker. Tribunal members emphasized the severity of the actions, noting that although the offenses involved verbal harassment rather than physical acts, sexual harassment carries exceptional gravity, particularly within hierarchical relationships where authority is abused.
Verbal Harassment and Abuse of Power
According to the charges, the professor subjected subordinates to intimidation, shouting, derogatory remarks, and humiliating comments. In one instance, remarking on dry weather and chapped lips, he asked a researcher how she could kiss her husband with such lips. On another occasion, when she photographed herself for a presentation, he stated he preferred her to be photographed without clothes in a bikini. Testimony revealed further sexually suggestive remarks, including comments about waves making love and instructions that he preferred her to wear as little clothing as possible or arrive naked while turning off the air conditioning. Another researcher testified that he told her she was crazy but that he loved her.
Tribunal Ruling and Sanctions
Despite requests from the complainants to disclose the professor's identity, the tribunal ruled to keep his name confidential due to his advanced age. The panel rejected the professor's defense claiming a conspiracy against him, finding the victims' testimonies authentic and reliable. In addition to a written reprimand, the professor is banned from supervising students at the university for two years and stripped of institutional privileges for one year, including access to his office, research grants, and academic conferences under the university's auspices. Tel Aviv University stated that it pursued severe penalties and advocated for publishing his name, reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy toward sexual harassment and bullying.
