The chair of the Knesset Committee on the Status of Women and Gender Equality railed on Sunday against the nomination of a former minister who has been repeatedly accused of sexual assault to lead Israel Aerospace Industries.

Yesh Atid MK Meirav Cohen, the head of the Knesset committee, said the panel would urge the Defense Ministry not to appoint former Likud minister Silvan Shalom — who largely left public life in 2015 after growing accusations — to the position.

During a committee session on Sunday on support and assistance for victims of sexual violence, a woman, identified only as Michal, testified that Shalom assaulted her during his time as science and technology minister.

“Make sure this man is not in a public position,” she said, adding that he should be in jail. “You are placing Israel’s security in the hands of a rapist.”

When the story first broke, 13 women came forward to make allegations against Shalom. None filed police complaints, and the police investigation into the allegations was subsequently closed. Shalom has denied the allegations.

Shalom, who served in the Knesset for more than 20 years and held several ministerial positions, resigned from political life in 2015 amid the mounting allegations.

Journalist Hadash Shteif testified during the committee hearing on Sunday that she knows of at least four other women who worked at the Knesset who were assaulted by Shalom.

“This man is a sex offender. Period,” said Shteif. “It’s unacceptable that a........

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