The President’s Sex Crimes

It was one of the most grim and sordid sex scandals Israel’s ever seen. Israeli President Moshe Katsav stepped down in 2007, amid a swirl of accusations of sex crimes. A year earlier, Katsav had complained to the Attorney General about being blackmailed by one of his female employees. But the investigation fast turned against the President, as the woman alleged rape. With more complainants coming forward, Katsav had reportedly sexually harassed up to 10 women. The Attorney General dismissed as fairly slim Katsav’s claim that he’d been made a victim of a plot. Katsav’s decade-long political career had never before been marred by any trace of scandal. The father-of-five quit the largely ceremonial post after a plea bargain in which he confessed to sexual harassment to avoid two rape charges. Rape convictions in Israel carry up to 16 years in prison. The deal allowed Katsav to get a suspended sentence, and has been condemned by his accusers and rights groups.