Israeli president requests leave to face rape charges

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.

Under Israeli law, a Knesset committee would have to approve any leave of absence, Pordes said. Katsav’s office had no comment, though the president was expected to address the nation later today.