Knesset committee approves Katsav suspension
Following long hours of deliberation, Knesset House Committee members vote for president's request for temporary suspension. Katsav to be replaced by Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik during his absence
The Knesset House Committee approved Thursday President Moshe Katsav's request for a temporary suspension from office. Thirteen committee members voted in favor of the suspension, while 10 voted against.
The chairman of the committee, Knesset Member Ruhama Avraham, called on the president, on behalf of the committee's members, to resign his post.
The committee will convene again at the beginning of next week to discuss the procedures to remove the president from office.
According to Basic Law: The President of the State, for the next three months all of the president's authorities will be transferred to Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik. Katsav, however, will continue to hold the title of president during the suspension period and will therefore not be formally indicted, as the president enjoys immunity.
MK Ruhama Avraham said following the vote, "I feel it was important that the president not continue in office but be suspended."
"It was difficult for me to accept the fact that during the impeachment proceedings the president would stay in office. I believe the committee made the right decision," said Avraham.
MK Zahava Gal-On, chairwoman of the Meretz faction, said in response that this gives immunity to anyone charged with rape.
"Instead of going to prison they Knesset is telling Kastav, 'You can continue on as president as if no indictment will be filed against you.' This is a slap in the face for the complainant," said Gal-On.
'It would be best for Katsav to resign'
MK Ahmad Tibi (United Arab List -Ta'al) slammed the vote passed by the Knesset House Committee.
"The decision sends an unethical message and basically blocked the termination of Katsav's presidency," said Tibi.
"Authorizing the suspension period may lead to a situation where the president is simply stalling for time," said MK Eliahu Gabbay (National Union). "Therefore, it would be best for him to resign and clear his name."
The Knesset House Committee convened Thursday morning in order to discuss Katsav’s request for a three-month temporary suspension following the decision to indict him.
At the opening of the session, committee chairman Ruhama Avraham said that Katsav has asked her to limit the suspension to three months, or until the attorney general rules on the indictment.
"This meeting convenes under unfortunate circumstances… these are moments of sorrow and grief, moments of disgrace," Avraham said in a statement.
MK Limor Livnat (Likud) called on committee members to reject the president’s request for temporary suspension.
“Think of how we look. What a disgrace. The message sent by the Knesset goes out not only to these victims, but to other women facing impossible situations, afraid to complain, and they need to know they will receive help, that the wheels of justice turn even in the case of an authority figure,” Livnat said.
Meanwhile, MK Michael Eitan (Likud) accused the media of prematurely convicting Katsav.
“There hasn’t been a trial against him yet, he hasn’t been convicted. Maybe the victim here is the president,” he said.
Attila Somfalvi contributed to the report
