Knesset committee discusses Katsav impeachment
For first time in State's history, president faces impeachment procedure. Knesset House Committee discusses demand to oust Moshe Katsav following attorney general's decision to indict him for serious sex offenses. 'Maybe the president was the one who was raped,' Katsav's attorney says during discussion
For the first time in the history of the State of Israel, the Knesset is using its authority to try and impeach a president.
The impeachment discussions began Wednesday after the ousting procedure was approved by the Knesset House Committee and by the Knesset plenum. President Moshe Katsav's lawyer, Zion Amir, arrived at the Knesset minutes before the start of the discussion.
On Tuesday, Katsav's attorneys announced that they would not attend Wednesday's discussion, but changed their mind following public criticism.
MK Ruhama Avraham (Kadima), the committee chairperson, said at the start of the discussion that "from the public's standpoint, it is unworthy and unacceptable for Katsav to continue holding his post, but the Knesset House Committee is committed to examine the law's requirements on the issue. My friends, we must all make quite a difficult decision."
Attorney Zion Amir said during the meeting, "I respect all of you. It's a great honor for us to come here and present our stance. I think I will read the things you are saying. Today I will stay here to hear. I am curious to hear some of the speakers."
Turning to the MKs, Attorney Amir said, "We don’t know if the victims are A. and A. or the president. Perhaps they were raped, but maybe the president was the one who was raped. You have no evidence."
Shas MK: Impeachment procedure shameful
MK Zahava Gal-On (Meretz) called on Katsav to resign.
"We are asking to present a different political culture, public ethics, public norms, standards. It's not all criminal or not criminal. There is also a behavior that is unworthy and inappropriate for a public figure," she said.
According to Gal-On, "The investigation material is irrelevant for our discussion. We are not talking about the investigation material. The Knesset cannot be deprived of exerting its authority."
MK Yakov Margi (Shas) said during the discussion, "We are not a field court martial. The president denies it altogether. How can I impeach him for indecent conduct? Tomorrow it's me, tomorrow it's you. I believe the impeachment procedure is unnecessary and shameful."
According to the procedure, only if 19 out of the 25 committee members support the impeachment, the decision will then be made in the Knesset plenum, where a majority of 90 Knesset members is needed. According to estimates, at the moment there are not enough MKs both in the committee and in the plenum to support the impeachment.
Miri Chason contributed to the report
