Israeli president Moshe Katsav has agreed to resign in a controversial plea bargain that drops rape allegations and the threat of jail time in return for admitting lesser charges.

Israeli police commander Moshe Karadi resigned from his post today after a government commission found he should not continue because of involvement in a scandal involving underworld figures.

The mayor of Jesus’ traditional home town today asked pilgrims to visit in large numbers during Christmas and help pressure Israel to dismantle the barrier that rings the city and cuts it off from Jerusalem.