25 January 2007
Israel's prime minister Ehud Olmert has called on the country's embattled president Moshe Katsav to resign, following allegations of rape and abuse of power. The demand came after Katsav again strongly denied accusations that he had raped or sexually abused several women. However, Katsav said he would take a temporary leave and vowed to step down if he was formally charged. In an emotionally-charged news conference, Katsav said he would fight to clear his name, "even if it means a world war". Attorney-general Meni Mazuz had said earlier that he intended to charge Katsav with offences including rape, obstruction of justice and fraud. The president, who has not yet been legally indicted, is under increasing pressure from ministers and members of parliament to step down. A formal indictment might only be filed after a special hearing between his legal team and state prosecutors, which could take several weeks.
Addressing a conference in Herzliya, Olmert called on Katsav to quit immediately. "Under these circumstances, there is no doubt in my mind that the president cannot continue to fulfill his position and he must leave the president's residence," he said. His comments followed a nationally televised news conference in which a visibly angry Katsav denied the accusations against him. At one point the president railed against a reporter from Israel's "Channel 2" television, accusing it of leading a campaign against him. He implored the public not to believe the allegations, saying: "When the truth comes out you will be shocked…Don't believe the libel, the defamation, the lies. There is only one truth... I am the target of one of the worst attacks in the history of the State of Israel…The law does not oblige me to resign. I will not give in to blackmail."
Katsav has requested temporary leave of absence, during which the speaker of the Knesset will act in his place. A parliamentary committee will have to approve such a move. Some 30 members of the Knesset have signed a petition to begin moves to have Katsav impeached, Israeli media reported. The accusations, brought by four women, date back several years. If the case does go to trial and if he is found guilty, the president could face up to 16 years in prison.
