Media advisors for former president Moshe Katzav resigned right after Katzav's Thursday night press conference in Kiryat Malachi about the impending indictments against him on charges of rape, indecent acts and obstruction of justice. Motti Morel and Ronen Tzur cited essential differences in approach with Katzav and said they could not continue to contribute in a professional manner.
Referring to Katzav in a departing statement, the two said, "We believe in his complete innocence and wish him complete acquittal as we believe he deserves."
“I am standing before you as a former President of the State, proud but oppressed,” Katzav stated at Thursday’s press conference. “I stand before you crushed and hurt, but resolute. I will not give up. I am determined not to surrender, I am determined to fight for the revelation of the truth, and all the truth,” Katzav added.
... I am determined not to surrender, I am determined to fight for the revelation of the truth, and all the truth.
Shortly afterwards, the former president expressed his criticism on the government’s legal advisor, Attorney General Menachem (Meni) Mazuz. “Unfortunately, in the reality of the State of Israel, the noose to hang me is the rope to save Meni Mazuz,” Katzav stated, referring to Mazuz's order to file charges against him. “Three years they concealed from the public testimonies that absolutely prove my innocence. Meni Mazuz requested a restraining order on the document in which he has contended before the High Court that the case might end as a 'colossal acquittal.'”
Justice Ministry: “Save your comments for the court”
The Justice Ministry, in response to Katzav’s criticism, stated that the claims should have been saved for the courtroom. In his speech, Katzav said the rape, indecent act, and obstruction of justice charges against him were developed by the Attorney General without basis.
Justice Ministry spokesman Moshe Cohen said, "Katzav's speech was fraught with false claims and distorted, baseless facts in an uncontrolled personal mudslinging spree against the Attorney General and the justice system." Cohen added, "Katzav's attempt to turn his trial into a media circus is an expression of his losing his senses."
The news conference was also criticized Thursday evening by "Aleph," an employee of the President's Residence who is a complainant in the case. Also criticizing the news conference were women Members of Knesset and women’s groups, who affirmed the Justice Ministry’s views that Katzav should have saved his comments for the courtroom instead of presenting them in a news conference.
Moshe Katzav served as President of Israel from July 31, 2000, until his resignation on July 1, 2007, amid allegations of committing sexual harassment of women employed in the President’s Residence. These allegations, too, were made outside the courtroom, in media reports and high profile demonstrations, and in opinions voiced by political figures who stated that Katzav was a rapist.