Israeli actor alleges TV host Assi Azar sexually assaulted him

 

Actor Yehuda Nahari claimed on Wednesday that television host and personality Assi Azar sexually harassed him a decade ago, Israeli media reported.

Nahari, who played in Terrible Days, claims Azar sexually harassed him 10 years ago when the actor was auditioning for a role in the Israeli romantic-comedy TV series Lehiyot Ita (Beauty and the Baker), which Azar created. Azar also co-hosted the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv.

According to Nahari, he filed a complaint with Israel Police in January 2021, but the case was closed due to the statute of limitations.

Nahari said he met Azar through mutual friends and was then offered to audition for the role. Azar allegedly invited him to his house where he touched himself in Nahari's presence and tried to persuade Nahari into sexual intercourse.

Nahari was asked by Walla to take a polygraph test and according to the test, the actor was 100% truthful, Walla reported.

Azar responded to Walla's report, stating that he "met Yehuda over 10 years ago and we kissed. Apart from that, nothing else happened."

Azar's employer Keshet, who owns Israeli news outlet N12, also responded to the allegations, stating that the allegations are "under inquiry" although it acknowledged that Azar has completely denied all allegations made against him.