Rape Charge Against President of Israel
October 16th 2006 02:15
President Katsav of Israel has been accused of rape, sexual assault, fraud and improprieties during the pardons process. A lengthy investigation has been underway over the sex scandal for months and last night, the Israeli Police finally made a recommendation that the President face the various charges.
The recommendations were made based on the evidence of 10 female employees who alleged misconduct whilst the President was in office. 5 of those complaints were dismissed because they did not fit within the statute of limitations.
So what happens now? The Attorney-General, Menachem Mazuz, must decide whether or not President Katsav should stand trial. If so, the President will still be immune from any form of prosecution, unless of course the Israeli Parliament decides to impeach him - the first stage of a two-stage process in which a government official is removed from office without that official’s agreement.
The Attorney-General is expected to make his decision within the next two weeks, but as pointed out by the President’s lawyer, the AG normally dismisses recommendations by police to put senior officials on trial.
Until then, I can do nothing but fume. About what? About people in positions of power who take advantage of their situation and think it’s ok to do whatever the hell they want. This isn’t the first time government officials have been caught up in such a mess. No, no, no. A former defence minister has been convicted of sexual harassment. Several former Prime Ministers have been accused of financial crimes.
And that’s just in Israel alone.
The sad reality is that this is a worldwide phenomenon. Just think about it. Former US President Bill Clinton. Former Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas. Former Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez. Former Paraguayan President, Raul Cubas Grau.
The list goes on…
The recommendations were made based on the evidence of 10 female employees who alleged misconduct whilst the President was in office. 5 of those complaints were dismissed because they did not fit within the statute of limitations.
So what happens now? The Attorney-General, Menachem Mazuz, must decide whether or not President Katsav should stand trial. If so, the President will still be immune from any form of prosecution, unless of course the Israeli Parliament decides to impeach him - the first stage of a two-stage process in which a government official is removed from office without that official’s agreement.
The Attorney-General is expected to make his decision within the next two weeks, but as pointed out by the President’s lawyer, the AG normally dismisses recommendations by police to put senior officials on trial.
Until then, I can do nothing but fume. About what? About people in positions of power who take advantage of their situation and think it’s ok to do whatever the hell they want. This isn’t the first time government officials have been caught up in such a mess. No, no, no. A former defence minister has been convicted of sexual harassment. Several former Prime Ministers have been accused of financial crimes.
And that’s just in Israel alone.
The sad reality is that this is a worldwide phenomenon. Just think about it. Former US President Bill Clinton. Former Lithuanian President Rolandas Paksas. Former Venezuelan President Carlos Andres Perez. Former Paraguayan President, Raul Cubas Grau.
The list goes on…
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Comment by Homer Joyce
I always like these discussions, but due to the complexity of my mind, I always try to break them down into simplistic form. (That will only make sense to ... me?) ...
I've never been a big fan of politics, and it's unlikely I ever will be.
Why?
When I was reading the Gospels, the following thoughts struck me:
If Christ truly is God made man, and all the events of HIs life were truly orchestrated by God to teach us lessons about life ... then ...
Who does Pontius Pilate represent, if not, every politician before him and after him?
And due to Pontius Pilate's conduct as recorded in the Gospels, such as: his inability to understand what truth is (when he had The Truth before him), heed his wife's warnings, handball any difficult problem over to Herod only to have Herod handball it back, then handball it to the Sanhedrin and Pharisess, who then handballed the problem to their future generations ...
How am I supposed to take an interest in Politics or politicians? Let alone the modern ones (who leave Herod for dead) ...
Did Christ himself take much interest in them? Nup. He rendered to Caesar what was due to him (but only what was due to him from above ... as He told Herod) ...
And when He challenged those laws, did He rebel and break them? Nup. He was crucified, and accepted it ...
Acceptance ... the non-existent virtue ...
I think there's some merits in my thoughts ... thousands would disagree ... but isn't this a site where you express your opinions ...
Homer ...
Comment by Legally Brunette
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I'm not sure that your thoughts have been broken down into simplistic form though! Sounds like yoo have a very complex, inquisitive, possibly even philosophical mind there.
I must admit, I'm also not the biggest fan of politics and politicians. Take a look HERE and you'll see what I mean.
Comment by Homer Joyce
I was obviously having a very brunette morning this morning ...
I have read your: Take a look HERE post ... and agree with it ...
Parliament is like kindy nowadays ...
Homer ...
Comment by Brenton
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Comment by Legally Brunette
My Wedding
Brenton, I agree that you can't compare infidelity to rape. I guess the point I was trying to make was that there are too many government officials doing the wrong thing, regardless of how serious that thing may be.
Comment by Nina
TV Babble
Either way, it is still the same fundamental principle - politicians abusing their position and thinking they are untouchable (and as the above post indicates, for the most part they are)
Comment by Homer Joyce
Excuse me for interrrupting, but I have to address a comment to Nina ...
(but don't worry, I'm thinking of you as I post) ...
Nina ...
love your play on words ... re: politicians being untouchable ...
They can be touched in the wallet or groin any day ... in order to effect a change of policies ...
Enemy of the State comes to mind ...
Thanks LB ... (even though you didn't have any say in the matter ... ) ...
Homer ...
Comment by Legally Brunette
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Comment by Homer Joyce
These submissive tendencies of yours ...
I'll stop now ... I might get carried away ...
HJ ...
Comment by Nina
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