Katzav's lawyer told reporters Tuesday night the president would fulfill his promise to the High Court to take a leave of absence if a decision was reached to issue an indictment against him.
The statement came after Attorney General Menachem Mazuz’s office announced that enough evidence had apparently been gathered to support the indictment on charges of rape, sexual assault, fraud, obstruction of justice and breach of trust. Four women who worked for Katzav have accused the president of sexually assaulting them during his tenure as a cabinet minister and later as president.
Katzav has continued to deny wrongdoing, charging unnamed elements with trying to frame him.
Reactions to the attorney general’s announcement were swift and essentially united, with Knesset Members from one end of the political spectrum to the other calling for the president’s immediate resignation.
Kadima MK Menachem Ben-Sasson, the Chairman of the Knesset Law Committee, said the decision to indict the president proved that “even the number one citizen isn’t above the law.” He expressed his support for the law enforcement officials who were involved in the probe.
Knesset Member Zevulun Orlev (National Union-National Religious Party) lamented the announcement, saying it meant “a sad day for the state and its citizens as well as for the institution of the presidency.” The Knesset Audit Committee Chairman added that he hoped Katzav would resign as is appropriate in his symbolic and official position. The Movement for Quality Government in Israel also called on Katzav to step down.
Labor MK Shelly Yechimovich, who has long waged a campaign against Katzav in this context, agreed, saying that a resignation, not suspension, was necessary. “We must remember that as long as he is president, even suspended from his duties, he cannot be tried,” she pointed out. “The Knesset must take action and dismiss the president immediately."
Yechimovich’s fellow party member Ami Ayalon also called on Katzav to resign, saying, “The honor of Israel’s democracy and the honor of the presidential institution leave no room for allowing the president to remain in his post while he is the subject of a criminal hearing."
Likud Knesset Member Michael Eitan, who is close to Katzav, told reporters that he personally wishes his friend well, but as a legislator he has to act in a responsible manner and advise Katzav to resign if the indictment is indeed filed after the hearing.
Meretz party chairman MK Yossi Beilin also urged Katzav to step down, focusing his concern on the issue of damage to the presidency, saying “only his immediate resignation can assist the institution’s immediate recovery.”
MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) was not as patient, saying, “I do not give Katzav even one more moment of the benefit of the doubt after this announcement.” His party colleague, Knesset Member Zahava Gal-On, was equally harsh, demanding that Katzav step down immediately to “put an end to the disgraceful spectacle of a suspect charged with such grave offenses continuing to stand at the head of the presidential institution.”
In contrast, Katzav's friend David Mena, a former Likud MK, said he expected some of the charges to be reduced. “I think that in the end things will become clear, and I don’t think it will be what was announced today,” he said. “I’m sure the indictment will be softened.”
The statement came after Attorney General Menachem Mazuz’s office announced that enough evidence had apparently been gathered to support the indictment on charges of rape, sexual assault, fraud, obstruction of justice and breach of trust. Four women who worked for Katzav have accused the president of sexually assaulting them during his tenure as a cabinet minister and later as president.
Katzav has continued to deny wrongdoing, charging unnamed elements with trying to frame him.
Reactions to the attorney general’s announcement were swift and essentially united, with Knesset Members from one end of the political spectrum to the other calling for the president’s immediate resignation.
Kadima MK Menachem Ben-Sasson, the Chairman of the Knesset Law Committee, said the decision to indict the president proved that “even the number one citizen isn’t above the law.” He expressed his support for the law enforcement officials who were involved in the probe.
Knesset Member Zevulun Orlev (National Union-National Religious Party) lamented the announcement, saying it meant “a sad day for the state and its citizens as well as for the institution of the presidency.” The Knesset Audit Committee Chairman added that he hoped Katzav would resign as is appropriate in his symbolic and official position. The Movement for Quality Government in Israel also called on Katzav to step down.
Labor MK Shelly Yechimovich, who has long waged a campaign against Katzav in this context, agreed, saying that a resignation, not suspension, was necessary. “We must remember that as long as he is president, even suspended from his duties, he cannot be tried,” she pointed out. “The Knesset must take action and dismiss the president immediately."
Yechimovich’s fellow party member Ami Ayalon also called on Katzav to resign, saying, “The honor of Israel’s democracy and the honor of the presidential institution leave no room for allowing the president to remain in his post while he is the subject of a criminal hearing."
Likud Knesset Member Michael Eitan, who is close to Katzav, told reporters that he personally wishes his friend well, but as a legislator he has to act in a responsible manner and advise Katzav to resign if the indictment is indeed filed after the hearing.
Meretz party chairman MK Yossi Beilin also urged Katzav to step down, focusing his concern on the issue of damage to the presidency, saying “only his immediate resignation can assist the institution’s immediate recovery.”
MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) was not as patient, saying, “I do not give Katzav even one more moment of the benefit of the doubt after this announcement.” His party colleague, Knesset Member Zahava Gal-On, was equally harsh, demanding that Katzav step down immediately to “put an end to the disgraceful spectacle of a suspect charged with such grave offenses continuing to stand at the head of the presidential institution.”
In contrast, Katzav's friend David Mena, a former Likud MK, said he expected some of the charges to be reduced. “I think that in the end things will become clear, and I don’t think it will be what was announced today,” he said. “I’m sure the indictment will be softened.”