Israeli President Moshe Katsav has been notified that a draft indictment being prepared by Attorney General Meni Mazuz may include a second rape charge, the Israeli Justice Ministry said.

A parliamentary panel today debated whether to take the unprecedented step to oust Israel’s president who faces charges of rape and other sexual offences.

Israel’s attorney general has told President Moshe Katsav to move out of his official residence in Jerusalem while he takes a leave of absence to fight off accusations that he committed rape and other crimes.

Israeli president Moshe Katsav today asked parliament to temporarily remove him from office after Israel’s attorney general recommended that he be indicted on rape and other charges, according to parliamentary spokesman Giora Pordes.

Israel’s politically powerful justice minister today led the growing chorus of calls for President Moshe Katsav to resign over impending charges of rape and abuse of power.

Israeli President Moshe Katsav today came under intense pressure to step down after the attorney general told him he faced charges of rape and abuse of power, the most serious accusations against a top official in Israel’s history.

A defiant Israeli President Moshe Katsav has dismissed a call to step down in the wake of a rape allegation.

Israeli president Moshe Katsav today decided to skip the opening of the autumn session of parliament after police recommended he be indicted on rape charges.

President Moshe Katsav could face the most serious charges ever brought against an Israeli official after police recommended he be indicted for rape, aggravated sexual assault and other counts.

ISRAELI police have recommended that President Moshe Katsav should be charged with rape.

Israel’s justice minister, a top ally of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, faces possible indictment on sexual harassment charges, in a new blow to a government that emerged politically weakened this week from a 34-day war against Lebanese guerrillas

Attorney General Meni Mazuz recommended today that one of Israel’s chief rabbis, Yona Metzger, resign for receiving improper gifts, according to the Justice Ministry.

Attorney General Meni Mazuz is expected to notify Ehud Olmert today that he will continue to serve as acting prime minister through Israel’s elections, the Justice Ministry said, as Israeli leader Ariel Sharon remained in a coma.

More than 40,000 soldiers and some 4,000 police are to be deployed in the Gaza Strip to carry out Israel’s evacuation, beginning in mid-August, Israel’s defence minister and police chief said today.

PALESTINIAN militants fired two rockets yesterday at a Jewish settlement bloc in the Gaza Strip, with one landing near thousands of Israelis protesting against this summer's planned withdrawal from the area.

Palestinian militants fired two rockets today at a Jewish settlement bloc in the Gaza Strip, with one landing near thousands of Israelis protesting against this summer’s planned withdrawal from the area. An Israeli soldier was lightly hurt by shrapnel.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon weathered another storm today when Israel’s attorney general declined to charge him in a party finance scandal while indicting his son.

Israel’s attorney general ruled yesterday that a secret government decision to seize Jerusalem land of Palestinians living in the West Bank violates Israeli and international law.

Israel's attorney general dropped a corruption probe into Ariel Sharon today, ending months of uncertainty over the prime minister's political future and boosting prospects of an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

Israel’s attorney general today dropped a corruption case against Ariel Sharon, ending months of uncertainty over the prime minister’s political future and boosting chances for a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

Israel’s attorney general is expected to announce today that he is closing a corruption case against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, officials close to the case said.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s son should not be charged with contempt of court for failing to provide police with documents in a corruption probe against his father, a court ruled today.

The Justice Ministry is coming to the conclusion that there is not enough evidence to indict Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in a bribery case, Israeli TV reported tonight.

Israeli opposition leaders demanded today that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon step down, following media reports that the state attorney is recommending he be indicted for bribe-taking.