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Anger over Israel president deal Israel president sex case delayed
(about 3 hours later)
At least 20,000 people have rallied in Tel Aviv to condemn a plea bargain given to outgoing Israeli President Moshe Katsav in his sexual abuse case. Israel's supreme court has agreed to consider a challenge to the plea bargain struck by ex-President Moshe Katsav to avoid rape charges.
Women's groups and victims of sex attacks led the protest on Rabin Square against the attorney general's decision to drop rape charges against Mr Katsav. Some 20,000 people rallied in Tel Aviv on Saturday against the deal struck with Attorney General Menachem Mazuz.
Menachem Mazuz said evidence against him was not "sufficiently solid". Under the bargain, he was due to be charged with lesser sexual offences and faced a suspended sentence.
The disgraced leader formally resigns on Sunday and is due to be charged with indecent acts and harassment. Now Mr Mazuz, who earlier said evidence of rape was not "sufficiently solid", has 24 hours to justify his decision.
He is expected to get a suspended prison sentence and to pay damages to his accusers.
Rape convictions in Israel carry a maximum sentence of 16 years in prison.Rape convictions in Israel carry a maximum sentence of 16 years in prison.
Mr Katsav finally resigned as president on Sunday. Former Prime Minister Shimon Peres will replace him formally on 15 July.
Society 'sullied'Society 'sullied'
"It's a deal that stains us all, we should not agree to let this sully our society," Education Minister Yuli Tamir told the crowd on Rabin Square. Michael Partem, vice-chairman of the Movement for Quality Government in Israel group, said the plea bargain had to be voided.
Mr Katsav has vigorously defended his reputation in the pastMr Katsav has vigorously defended his reputation in the past
One of the organisers of the demonstration, Anna Gera, called on the government to explain why the rape charges against Mr Katsav had been dropped. "Instead of prosecuting the president as an ordinary person and applying the rule of law equally, it goes easy on the president... it's been reduced to a slap on the wrist," he said.
"It is not conceivable that for over a year this country has believed that the president is guilty of terrible acts and now they all of a sudden disappeared into the mist," she said. Women's groups and victims of sex attacks led the protest against the attorney general's decision to drop rape charges against Mr Katsav.
"We demand some explanations, we demand some transparency." "It's a deal that stains us all, we should not agree to let this sully our society," Education Minister Yuli Tamir told the crowd on Rabin Square.
Correspondents say the turnout for the rally was the highest in years for a women's rights protest in Israel where there have long been complaints that the authorities do little to counter sexual harassment at work. Correspondents say the turnout for the rally was the highest in years for a women's rights protest in Israel.
An acting president, parliamentary speaker Dalia Itz, has already assumed Mr Katsav's functions, while former Prime Minister Shimon Peres will replace him formally on 15 July. There have long been complaints that the authorities do little to counter sexual harassment at work.