Ex-Israeli Official Convicted of Forced Kiss

TEL AVIV, Israel — A court convicted a former justice minister, Haim Ramon, yesterday of kissing a female soldier against her will — a case that riveted the country's attention and added another layer of scandal to Israel's beleaguered leadership.

Mr. Ramon, 56, was charged with sexual misconduct after kissing the woman, 21, at a party at the Defense Ministry on the first day of Israel's war with Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon last summer.