Allegations of Abuse and Harsh Working Conditions
Rami Ben Hamo, who dedicated over a decade to serving in the Prime Minister's Office and the official residence, has initiated a legal battle seeking 450,000 shekels in compensation through a lawsuit filed with the Jerusalem Regional Labor Court. His case emerges shortly after another employee, Yehiel Ohev Ami, raised concerns regarding his own working conditions at the residence. Ben Hamo asserts that during his tenure as a household worker from March 2023 to December 2025, he endured what he describes as "extreme abuse" at the hands of the prime minister's wife, Sara Netanyahu, along with irregular working hours that violated established labor laws.
In his lawsuit, Ben Hamo details a grueling work routine that typically commenced around 7:30 a.m. and extended late into the night, often amounting to an average of 60 to 80 overtime hours per month. He claims that failing to meet the precise demands of Sara Netanyahu resulted in verbal assaults, including screaming, insults, and humiliating treatment. The lawsuit outlines specific incidents, such as being required to clean her personal belongings in a manner that he describes as excessive, and enduring relentless scrutiny over his cleaning standards. For instance, he was allegedly instructed to wash his hands repeatedly throughout the day, leading to severe reprimands if he failed to comply.
Emotional and Physical Toll
As the months progressed, Ben Hamo contends that the treatment he received became increasingly abusive. He recounts being belittled with comments like, "You don’t know how to clean" and "You clean badly," alongside more personal attacks that referenced his Moroccan heritage, which he found particularly distressing. On multiple occasions, he claims that his pleas for better treatment went unheeded, and he was ultimately compelled to work late hours even when it conflicted with family obligations, including observances of the Sabbath.
His plight took a serious turn in February 2025 when he experienced chest pain while on duty, leading to a medical diagnosis of a cardiac event. Following this incident, he alleges that the harassment continued unabated, with Sara Netanyahu reportedly telling him that he could easily be replaced. The cumulative toll of the alleged mistreatment forced Ben Hamo to request a transfer to the Prime Minister's Office, only to be met with resistance from his superiors.
In a particularly troubling incident just before his departure from the residence, Ben Hamo claims he was subjected to a humiliating ordeal involving the arrangement of plastic bags, culminating in Sara Netanyahu throwing the bags on the floor in frustration and berating him. This episode, among others, painted a picture of a toxic work environment that led Ben Hamo to feel more like a servant than an employee entitled to respect and dignity.
In his lawsuit, he is pursuing compensation for non-financial damages, including emotional distress, workplace abuse, and violations of labor laws. A statement from the Netanyahu family has categorically denied the allegations, dismissing them as unfounded claims that are part of a broader political campaign against them during an election cycle. The legal proceedings are still ongoing, and the claims made by Ben Hamo await adjudication by the labor court.
As reported by ynetnews.com.
