This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6294233.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Israeli PM urges president to go | Israeli PM urges president to go |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called on President Moshe Katsav to resign over allegations of rape and abuse of power. | Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called on President Moshe Katsav to resign over allegations of rape and abuse of power. |
| It comes after Mr Katsav strongly denied the accusations but vowed to step down if he was formally charged. | It comes after Mr Katsav strongly denied the accusations but vowed to step down if he was formally charged. |
| In an emotionally-charged news conference, Mr Katsav said he would fight to clear his name, "even if it means a world war". | In an emotionally-charged news conference, Mr Katsav said he would fight to clear his name, "even if it means a world war". |
| He has asked the speaker of parliament to grant him temporary leave. | He has asked the speaker of parliament to grant him temporary leave. |
| Attorney General Meni Mazuz said on Tuesday that he intended to charge Mr Katsav with offences including rape, obstruction of justice and fraud. | Attorney General Meni Mazuz said on Tuesday that he intended to charge Mr Katsav with offences including rape, obstruction of justice and fraud. |
| I will not give in to blackmail Moshe KatsavIsraeli president class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/6294315.stm">Press demand Katsav resigns The president, who has not yet been legally indicted, is under increasing pressure from ministers and MPs to step down. | |
| A formal indictment might only be filed after a special hearing between his legal team and state prosecutors, which could take several weeks. | A formal indictment might only be filed after a special hearing between his legal team and state prosecutors, which could take several weeks. |
| 'One truth' | 'One truth' |
| Speaking in the northern town of Herzliyah, Mr Olmert called on Mr Katsav to quit. | Speaking in the northern town of Herzliyah, Mr Olmert called on Mr Katsav to quit. |
| "Under these circumstances, there is no doubt in my mind that the president cannot continue to fulfil his position and he must leave the president's residence," he said. | |
| His comments followed a nationally televised news conference in which a visibly angry Mr Katsav denied the accusations against him. | His comments followed a nationally televised news conference in which a visibly angry Mr Katsav denied the accusations against him. |
| At one point the president railed against a reporter from Israel's Channel 2 television, accusing it of leading a campaign against him. | At one point the president railed against a reporter from Israel's Channel 2 television, accusing it of leading a campaign against him. |
| He implored the public not to believe the allegations, saying: "When the truth comes out you will be shocked." | He implored the public not to believe the allegations, saying: "When the truth comes out you will be shocked." |
| "Don't believe the libel, the defamation, the lies," he said. "There is only one truth... I am the target of one of the worst attacks in the history of the state of Israel." | "Don't believe the libel, the defamation, the lies," he said. "There is only one truth... I am the target of one of the worst attacks in the history of the state of Israel." |
| Mr Katsav vowed to stay in office to fight the allegations. | Mr Katsav vowed to stay in office to fight the allegations. |
| "The law does not oblige me to resign," he said. "I will not give in to blackmail." | "The law does not oblige me to resign," he said. "I will not give in to blackmail." |
| Immunity | Immunity |
| Mr Katsav has requested temporary leave of absence, during which the speaker of the Knesset (parliament) will act in his place. | Mr Katsav has requested temporary leave of absence, during which the speaker of the Knesset (parliament) will act in his place. |
| A parliamentary committee would have to approve such a move. | A parliamentary committee would have to approve such a move. |
| The BBC's Rachel Harvey in Jerusalem says as long as Mr Katsav retains the title of president he still has immunity from criminal prosecution. | The BBC's Rachel Harvey in Jerusalem says as long as Mr Katsav retains the title of president he still has immunity from criminal prosecution. |
| Mr Katsav's seven-year term ends later this year. | Mr Katsav's seven-year term ends later this year. |
| Some 30 members of the Knesset have signed a petition to begin moves to have Mr Katsav impeached, Israeli media reported. | Some 30 members of the Knesset have signed a petition to begin moves to have Mr Katsav impeached, Israeli media reported. |
| The accusations, brought by four women, date back several years. | The accusations, brought by four women, date back several years. |
| If the case does go to trial and if he is found guilty, Mr Katsav could face up to 16 years in prison. | If the case does go to trial and if he is found guilty, Mr Katsav could face up to 16 years in prison. |