Israeli president steps aside temporarily

ISRAEL’S embattled president gave up his powers temporarily yesterday, but dozens of lawmakers vowed to have him dismissed so he could face a raft of sexual assault charges, including rape.

President Moshe Katsav, who insists he is the victim of a conspiracy, stepped aside after a parliamentary committee voted 13-11 to grant his request to do so.

He preserved his immunity by taking a leave rather than resigning.

Lawmaker Zehava Galon, who is leading parliamentary efforts to oust Israel’s eighth president, was outraged that parliament’s House Committee didn’t put ousting Katsav on its agenda.

“Instead of finding himself behind bars, this man charged with rape gets a prize of continuing to serve as president,” Galon said.

Parliamentary speaker Dalia Itzik stepped in as acting president — the first woman to hold the post.

Galon has said she would pursue her campaign to oust the President.

Katsav has professed his innocence and accused the police and media of working together to bring him down, using terms like “witch hunt” and “McCarthyism.” He pledged to “fight to my last breath, even if it means a world war, to clear my name.”