Wednesday, January 24, 2007

Israel's President Faces Rape Charge. Now THAT'S Accountability.

Israel's ministry of justice says it plans to charge the country's largely ceremonial head of state, Moshe Katsav, with rape and abuse of power. Formal charges against him can be made only after a hearing at which he will be allowed to present his case.

Mr Katsav denies allegations of rape and sexual misconduct made by several female employees in recent months.

The recommendation to indict him comes amid a flurry of corruption allegations against top-level Israeli politicians. Mr Katsav's lawyers said he was innocent and charges would be dropped after the attorney general heard Mr Katsav's side of the story.

"The president believes that everyone will see that he is the victim of false charges," David Libai said, adding that the president would hold a news conference on Wednesday.

The president enjoys immunity, but he can be impeached or prosecuted after he leaves office.
Mr Katsav's seven-year term ends this year, but his lawyers have previously indicated he might resign if he was indicted.

Attorney General Menachem Mazuz's office issued a statement saying there was enough evidence to support an indictment against Mr Katsav on charges of rape, harassment, abuse of power and obstruction of justice, among other crimes.

Dignity of office

Iranian-born Mr Katsav, 60, was a journalist before standing for parliament as a candidate for the right-wing Likud party in 1977. He acted as power broker within the party and rose to ministerial positions. The office is invested with great dignity and prestige in the Israeli political system, but powers are limited. They include pardoning prisoners.

Several MPs have called on Mr Katsav to resign immediately to avoid bringing the office into disrepute.

He was the first member of a right-wing political party to become Israeli president, beating off the challenge of Labour veteran Shimon Peres in 2000.

Mr Katsav's predecessor, Ezer Weizman, left office early in controversial circumstances after the attorney general found he had accepted improper gifts. He was never charged with any crime. (BBC NEWS)

****** Can such a scenario be ever envisaged in Malaysia? Of course one may argue that our political leaders do not commit rape or abuse their power! It is ironical that a nation which we consider illegitimate and a renegade, holds their leaders to a much higher standard of accountability than we are capable of. Food for thought.
Image - Source
UPDATE: Israeli president stands aside to face rape charge

Labels:

5 Comments:

Blogger warrior2 said...

In Malaysia,we have had top leaders:, DPM, ministers, Menteri Besars, Timb Speaker etc resigning or forced to resign and subsequently being charged in court for murder, corruption and various other offences, found guilty, put in jail etcetc.. That is the practise. We dont allow them to hold on to the office!

In Israel, He is still holding on to the Presidency!

Now, THATS THE DIFFERENCE between Malaysia and Israel!

INFO for the Ignorant!

2:15 PM GMT+8  
Blogger warrior2 said...

patriot, you may want to read the appeal court judgement on the appeal to know whether there was or not any sexual act involved!

btw, the court sentenced him to jail, the cops delivered him to the jail warden and the warden made sure he stayed there for some time, not the top leader! The top leader sacked him as he has the power to do so!

5:26 PM GMT+8  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, Irael is bully. But you can't denied that they are state that practice good democracy.

Compare to the surrounding country, those government will abuse power, sanction speech,even use violent against dissidents.

5:33 PM GMT+8  
Blogger Ittay said...

There are many things to be admired about Israel, this however, is not one of them. Katsav should have resigned many months ago, for he has brought nothing but disgrace to the office of the presidency.

Having visited both Malaysia and Israel, some areas where I believe Israel excels are:
* it’s treatment of women
* it’s use of sophisticetd agricultural techniques to grow food in the desert (although this is not a problem fr Malaysia, which is blessed with an abundance of water)
* It’s very open system of democracy

6:34 AM GMT+8  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Israel is a dangerous criminal killing the palestine poeples. but there also got rules mah. even Ilsrael president can kena but here Rahim tambi chik can be free after raping a young girl. But our hamsap voters still vote him.

1:26 PM GMT+8  

Post a Comment

<< Home

!-- End #sidebar -->
Malaysia Blog Sites Listing Check Web Rank World Top Blogs - Blog TopSites hits Blog Portal