Olmert aide gets rap on knuckle for kissing soldier

Ramon was forced to resign from the justice ministry when the female soldier, known only as “H” to protect her identity, accused him of forcibly kissing her after she put her arm around him to pose for a picture. Ramon had argued that the kiss was the natural progression of her flirtation. She denied flirting with him.

Ramon was convicted in January of sexual misconduct. The judges said they recognised the publicity surrounding the incident had hurt Ramon, but they also noted the harm done to the plaintiff. Legal analysts told Army Radio that the sentencing came as a relief for Olmert and his Party, which has been hit with a wave of corruption scandals since it took power last year. Army Radio said that despite Ramon’s conviction, Olmert hoped to appoint him as finance minister following corruption accusations against the minister.