Israel's President Moshe Katsav will not preside over the swearing-in ceremony of incoming Supreme Court President Dorit Benisch as he is questioned by police. (file)
Katsav won't swear in new Chief Justice Beinish as sex probe continues
By Israel Insider staff and partners September 7, 2006
Israeli President Moshe Katsav will not preside over the swearing-in ceremony of incoming Supreme Court President Dorit Benisch on Thursday, as police question him for a fourth time on suspicion of sexually abusing and even raping female employees, Haaretz reported.
Beinish is expected to be selected unanimously and be sworn in as president, immediately after Supreme Court President Aharon Barak's retirement ceremony.
The President's Residence said in a statement that the Katsav would refrain from attending in order "to prevent arguments tied to the event," adding that Katsav felt it would be inappropriate to conduct the ceremony at the present time.
Police investigators on Wednesday questioned Israeli President Moshe Katsav for the third time in a sexual harassment case against him.
Police are looking into accusations by two former employees that Katsav sexually harassed them. One of the women reportedly also has accused Katsav of selling presidential pardons.
Two investigators arrived at Katsav's official residence in Jerusalem early Wednesday for questioning that was expected to last most of the day. Katsav underwent two lengthy rounds of questioning last month.
The interrogation followed reports Wednesday that another woman has stepped forward to file a sexual harassment complaint against Katsav.
Katsav, whose job is ceremonial, says he is innocent and has refused to step down.
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