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Could Ramon return to politics?

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A former Israeli justice minister who was found guilty of molestation may be able to return to politics.

Tel Aviv Magistrate’s Court, having convicted Haim Ramon two months ago of forcing a kiss on a female soldier, sentenced him Thursday to 120 hours’ community service and fined him $3,600.

But the ruling did not describe Ramon’s crime as one of “moral turpitude”, a label that, under Israeli law, would bar him from again assuming public office.

Ramon, 56, resigned from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s government after the molestation scandal broke last year. Long considered the rising star of Israeli politics, he has not made a clear statement on his future plans.

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