THANKS !

Who hasn't done some of these things at least once? And if you didn't do them, don't you know someone who did? The only innocent men are those who live by the halachic rules of yichud: not allowed to be alone with a woman for more than a few seconds.

Something that really disgusted me today.

they can

This is no usual rape situation where violence is used. Here we have a man who is "overly" attracted to the opposite sex, and is trying to satisfy his desires by manipulating various situations. How many of you have not been in that situation? And as for the rapes, we have no details here. We are not told about the circumstances in which they happened. We are not told if there was violence. Why is that? Why are we not told the whole story? This whole business has something very fishy about it. I am not convinced that he is a criminal.

At least a president was taken to court to face his actions and abuses. This proves that justice is at work in Israel... I wonder, my friends, what about those who are in power in the PA or the neighbouring arab countries. Would they be brought to court for such charges ?

If in 2011, you still do not see the difference between being friendly and using one's authority to fondle and touch women, take a VERY GOOD LONG look at yourselves in the mirror. Men have to realize that women do not appreciate being touched and fondled and when they say no, it means just that. Stop looking at women as potential sex objects!

Details of the rape? The Whole Story? What is it you are looking for? Even if he hugged her for sexual stimulation are you saying this is correct for any man to do? And a rape is anything that is not consensual, even without violence. So if he hit her and knocked her to teh ground this is acceptable rape? Do you have sisters, or a mother, or any female relatives? I hope that they never find themselves in any of these situations, because it does not sound like you will believe them without details. You are entitled to believe that he was framed, but remember, he kept changing his story, whereas the victims remained consistent. That sounds fishy to me.

Even an ex-President is not above the law. Did anyone report that the judge was a Christian Arab? We have NEVER heard of any President in any Arab country who was convicted of anything. Imagine an Arab President being convicted by a Jewish judge (you should be luck to live that long). Thumbs up for Israeli justice.

Yes, truly chalk one up for the Israeli justice system. It's official: No one is outside the law. Period. End of story... That is, unless you happen to be a settler, which is rather oxymoronic since it appears that nothing is being settled by any justice system at all anywhere out there - still, after all these years. It is truly an irony wrapped in a riddle, however, if one cares to examine the facts no one has ever stated that democracy is a panacea in terms of preventing human failings.

Possibly we weren't told the whole story to spare the victims further humiliation. Obviously,the court heard the whole story and that's enough. Not everything has to be exposed to creeps like you. He used his position to exert pressure on his female employees,which is in excusable. No fool like an old fool,as they say.

or is it all based on testimonies?

#13: testimony is another word for evidence. All the complainants gave evidence on oath and were cross examined. One of the most striking features of the case is that there were multiple complainants giving evidence of similar conduct on the part of the defendant. Either they conspired with each other to tell lies (unlikely given they did not know each other) or they were describing true facts. The judges heard the evidence and were left in no doubt. They had to be sure beyond reasonable doubt to convict, and they were. They found Katsav to be liar and perjurer (as well as being a rapist). As he pleaded not guilty accused his accusers of lying he clearly has no remorse or regret for his actions. No doubt he will be sentenced accordingly.

Good post David. I think the problem with Katsav is that he believes he did not break the law. Tho he is guilty he feels he is innocent.

I am very disappointed, to read both your comments. It looks like while the world is moving towards mutual respect, you still have a hard time understanding that rape is rape and is unacceptable, period. "We are not told if there was violence", one of you writes. Brilliant. For your information, you do not need *physical violence* in order to perpetrate rape. This was an idea sometime 4 decades ago, and your thinking seems to be aligned to those times. Coercion and abuse of power make it a rape, as well, and you do not need to have physical violence to make it an inappropriate sexual contact that is unwelcome and called rape. You guys, should better put your hands on some reading materials, because you fail to understand some basic concepts that are important in today's society. Good luck.

Mr. Ex President! You are another moron who is got money and fame but too stupid to use it the correct way. Enjoy your jail time, now.

RAPE? No! Where is the hard evidence of RAPE of which he is accused of?

everything you say. Impropriety, fondling and touching without the consent of the opposite sex is disgusting..BUT...he is accused of actual physical rape. Where is that hard core evidence? The judges based their decision on heresay and because he contradicted his previous statement regarding having sex with her...but where is the rape EVIDENCE?

is coercion and abuse of power. Rape is rape. It seems more and more that people defending the decision have a serious mental abberation. With coercion and abuse of power she could have left and accusing him of that. But with rape she has no choice. He is accused of physical rape.

My message #2 is that all men are as guilty as Katzav unless they obey the laws of yichud. Yichud prohibits men from being alone with any women other than their wives for more than a few seconds. It's called J-u-d-a-i-s-m.

I don't get it exactly either, maybe because all the information is not presented. Also, because things here are more black and white. It's like at first inapropiate act, I'd be more likely to either hurt whomever physically immediately, or tell a supervisor, or even threaten to tell a relative such as their mother and father, wife, or whomever about their bad behavoir. It's better to be straight up. However, if someone was afraid that no one would believe her and so forth, and desparately needed a job, then maybe. I think that people do get stuck in bad situations, and also perhaps another person is able to manipulate and play upon someone else's fears and weaknesses.