Plea Bargain for a President

June 28, 2007 - 3:50 PM by

Given the way that political games are played here, I think that most Israelis have reached a point where nothing really surprises them anymore. Nothing until today, that is. Apparently, Suspended President Moshe Katzav has signed a plea bargain, clearing him of rape charges, and instead, an indictment including seven counts of committing an indecent act using force, sexual harassment and harassing a witness will be filed. Katzav will not serve any jail time and nor will he be performing any community service. In exchange, Katzav will receive a suspended sentence, will resign from his presidential post and will pay compensation to original complainant A.

PrisonKatzav allegedly told his associates, “I am tired, my family is wrecked, I do not have the stamina for a battle in court, so I admitted to hugging and kissing out of affection.”

Attorney General Menachem Mazuz has said, “There was also the consideration of the public interest in reducing the harm caused to the presidency, and not to President Moshe Katsav, and to the State of Israel’s image due to a trial which would have been held for a long period of time with unflattering headlines to the presidency in Israel and in the world.”

Frankly, I’m thinking that the presidency can’t really be harmed anymore than it already has been, and the message this agreement sends out is that once again, Israeli politicians are above the law. And what kind of message does this send out to victims of sexual violence, especially those who have the misfortune of being assaulted by public figures?

Bloggers from the Anglo-Israeli blogosphere have been strangely silent on the issue. Perhaps they, like many others, simply can’t be bothered to summon the energy to deal with yet another chapter in this saga.

Come on, leaders – take responsibility for your actions!

Tags: • Category: General, Israeliness, Politics 

Comments

One Comment on Plea Bargain for a President

  1. Roberto on Sat, Jun 30th 2007 3:33 AM

    2. I’ll comment since I have been following it. We don’t know if he’s guilty of anything at all. His family and reputation have been ruined and he “may” have had to admit to something he didn’t do because the alternatives offered were far worse. I’ll care about women who really are victims of sexual violence, but we don’t know if that ‘s the case here, or are some women trying to reach into the deep pockets of a politician $$$$.

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