Histadrut reinstates union head after alleged corruption

The Histadrut (Federation of Labor in Israel) on Monday reinstated Alon Hassan as head of the Ashdod Port union, three months after he suspended himself over corruption allegations. In June, Channel 2 reported Hassan had profited from regular business arrangements with the ports, often made indirectly with companies in which he had an interest. The report also alleged that Hassan’s family members and friends received choice positions and ran intermediate businesses facilitating profitable deals between Hassan’s companies and the port.

Ashdod Port

Ashdod Port

Hassan denied the allegations, saying that “I never mixed my businesses and my position,” but decided to suspend himself while the Histadrut investigated the claims. According to the Histadrut, an investigative committee led by attorney Yechiel Shamir met over the past few weeks and examined documents it had requested from Hassan regarding his business dealings. It found that Hassan held no business dealings with the ports, and said that he signed an affidavit pledging not to do so in the future. On Monday, it announced that Hassan had requested to return to his post, and that its investigation had found no improper behavior. “Under these circumstance, the committee members believe that there is no place to prevent Hassan’s return to the worker’s union,” the Histadrut said in a press release.