Labour8/25/2026

Worker at Prime Minister’s Residence Seeks 450,000 Shekels Over Alleged Workplace Abuse

Maintenance worker Rami Ben-Hamo filed a 450,000-shekel lawsuit against the Prime Minister’s Office in the Jerusalem Regional Labor Court. He alleges that Sara Netanyahu humiliated him daily and that he worked up to 80 overtime hours a month; the allegations were rejected on Netanyahu’s behalf.

Key facts

•Plaintiff: Rami Ben-Hamo
•Defendant: Prime Minister’s Office
•Court: Jerusalem Regional Labor Court
•Period of direct employment: March 2023—December 2025
•Amount sought: 450,000 shekels
•Alleged basis for part of the claim: Hours of Work and Rest Law

Who Sued Whom

Rami Ben-Hamo worked for more than ten years at the Prime Minister’s Office and Residence, and from March 2023 to December 2025 he was employed directly by the office as a maintenance worker at the Residence. The lawsuit was filed against the Prime Minister’s Office. About a month earlier, another worker at the Residence, Yehiel Ohev-Ami, also raised claims regarding his employment conditions.

What Are the Allegations?

According to Ben-Hamo’s account, his workday began at around 7:30 a.m. and sometimes ended late at night or in the early morning, and he worked an average of 60–80 overtime hours a month. He alleges that Sara Netanyahu shouted at him, insulted and humiliated him, demanded that household tasks be performed in strictly prescribed ways, and made remarks about his Moroccan origin. He further claims that he sometimes worked after the start of Shabbat, even though it was known that he observes Shabbat.

Health and the End of His Employment

According to the statement of claim, in February 2025 Ben-Hamo experienced chest pain while at work, was taken to Hadassah Mount Scopus Hospital and underwent catheterization. He alleges that he repeatedly asked management to transfer him to the office, but was told to hold on because there was no replacement. According to him, after he decided to leave the Residence, he was forced to cite personal reasons rather than the conduct of the prime minister’s wife.

What Is the Plaintiff Seeking, and Has a Ruling Been Issued?

Ben-Hamo is seeking 400,000 shekels for non-pecuniary damage, workplace abuse, breach of the duty to act in good faith and emotional distress. An additional 50,000 shekels is sought for violation of the Hours of Work and Rest Law—for a total of 450,000 shekels. These are solely the demands set out in the statement of claim: the source does not report any court decision or finding of liability.

The Other Side’s Position

A response issued on Netanyahu’s behalf called the report “fake news” and a continuation of the campaign against the prime minister, his wife and his family. The source does not provide a detailed response to each of the employment-related allegations.

What this means for you

The case illustrates that a worker at an official residence may file claims against his employer over overtime work, working conditions and alleged humiliating treatment. However, the mere filing of the lawsuit does not verify the facts alleged in it: the court must still examine the evidence and the parties’ arguments, and the source does not state the outcome.

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Case analysis based on court rulings