Katzav brought disgrace on the Office of the President of the State of Israel. Now the High Court of Justice has brought disgrace on the Judiciary. The Justices who supported the plea bargain have proven that ALL the criticism of the Israeli Judicial System is warranted. Their decision makes yesterday’s diatribe by the President of the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Beinish, in which she criticized the criticism of the Judiciary, look like the prattling of a complete idiot! Chief Justice Beinish just doesn’t get it. THERE IS NO CONFIDENCE IN THE JUDICIARY IN ISRAEL! She must understand that the Judiciary, like all branches of government, is responsible to the people and its function it to ensure that justice is done and is seen to be done. Justice has not been done here! One can just hope that the petitioners will find a way of taking this to a higher bench of the High Court of Justice and thus try to rectify the shame and disgrace brought upon the land by our highest court!

terrible news for justice. No matter what a mans position in life, no excuse is justified when it comes to rape. If this lesser charge stands, it makes a mockery of true judgment for ALL rape cases. It tells women, expect more of the same ESPECIALLY if the man has a position of authority. He belongs to be sentenced and jailed with male rapists. I love Israel but, this ruling makes a mockery of fair justice and the law is mangled into a farce.

for stating it so very well.

And what else is new......???

Seems like all the talkback writers must have been in all the hearings, seen all the evidence, read all the briefs and are totally knowledgeable of the intricacies of the law. Or maybe you saw a few biased interviews by claimants who the defendant has not even had one chance in public to comment on. And whose testimony was severely questionable as to its reliablity. You've tried, and judged Mr. Katsav totally inappropriately. Perhaps he is guilty of more than this plea bargain says, but none of you are in the position to say that.

Now any of the elite can rape and molest whoever they want and change the story to fondling. Dont worry, the high court will back you up! Absolutely disgraceful and the judges decisions only reflects upon the man that gave them these positions......OLMERT!

How do you know that some of the talkbackers here have not read the transcripts? Very presumptuous of you. You must be a lawyer yourself. The evidence is clear..he even admits it!...and it isnt just a case of one woman making claims, but several. The man is definately not an angel and his past record, with complaints of sexual harassment, make me believe the accusations. I think the talkbackers here are mainly disgruntled about our corrupt courts decisions, more than a personal dislike for Katsav. Just a reflection of every bodies dissatisfaction with the inept corrupt government run by the crook OLmert!.