(JTA) — A senior Israeli army officer who assumed a fake Facebook identity to pursue women has taken a leave of absence.
The officer, according to Haaretz, identified himself on the social network as Alon Rotem and at times as a senior defense official, in contravention of Israel Defense Forces regulations.
The army is investigating the allegations against the officer, who was in line for a promotion to brigadier general. .
A woman on the Israeli news website Walla described the officer’s sexual advances when he was invited to her home.
“He tried with all his might, disregarding me when I said no,” she said. “I felt there was something wrong with his conduct, especially when he attempted to use force. Since I’m a woman who means it when she says no and my words carry weight, I made him understand that it would not work out.”
