Israeli politicians debate ousting sex scandal president

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.

Sponsors of a move to remove Moshe Katsav from office need the support of 90 of parliament’s 120 members.

When deliberations in parliament’s House Committee began today, they were still short of that quota.

Attorney General Meni Mazuz notified Katsav last month that he intended to indict him on charges of rape, sexual assault and abuse of power after four women who worked for him said he preyed on them and threatened to fire them if they did not grant him sexual favours.

Katsav is first entitled to a formal hearing before Mazuz before the attorney general makes his final decision.

Katsav took a temporary leave of absence last month to fight the allegations and has not been living in his official Jerusalem residence.

The 61-year-old president insists he is the innocent victim of a conspiracy and says he will not quit the largely ceremonial post unless he is formally indicted. His seven-year term is due to end in July.