A final decision on the indictment would be made only after Katsav, who was notified Tuesday, presents his case. If indicted, Katsav would be Israel's first sitting president to be charged with a crime.Reports indicate that Katsav will resign.
The decision by Attorney-General Meni Mazuz came just days after authorities launched a criminal investigation into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's involvement in the sale of a government-controlled bank in 2005. Several other high-level politicians have also been implicated in other scandals.
Katsav has denied the charges, stemming from complaints made by four women who worked for him during his tenure as president and, before that, as a Cabinet minister. Katsav has said he is the victim of a conspiracy by political enemies. The president's office said Tuesday it had no official comment.
Mazuz's office said Tuesday it had collected enough evidence to support an indictment against Katsav on charges of rape, harassment, sexual relations involving the abuse of power, obstruction of justice and illegally accepting gifts.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is facing criminal investigations into financial dealings with Bank Leumi and already suffers a crisis of confidence in the ability of the Israeli government to protect Israel from the threats posed by Hamas, Hizbullah, and Fatah, not to mention Iran and Syria.
The Israeli people really need to take a much closer look at who is governing the country and whether they have the ability to lead and have the moral and ethical fiber to get the job done without resorting to chicanery or engage in criminal acts.
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