Ex-Israeli Prez to Face Rape Charge

Moshe Katsav is the highest-ranking Israeli official ever sent to jail

(AP) - An Israeli court today ordered former Israeli President Moshe Katsav to prison for seven years following a rape conviction, rejecting his attorneys' request for leniency and making him the highest-ranking Israeli official ever sent to jail. The silver-haired Katsav remained stoic throughout most of the reading, but he broke down in tears upon hearing his sentence and screamed at the judges: "You made a mistake! It is a lie! The girls know it is a lie!" As he exited the courtroom, two of his grown sons scuffled with security guards. "I saw you! You hurt my boy!" Katsav screamed. More»

Moshe Katsav faces between 4 and 16 years in prison

(NEWSER) - Former Israeli president Moshe Katsav likely faces four to 16 years in prison after being convicted of raping an employee in 1998 when he was a Cabinet minister, reports the AP . Katsav was president of Israel from 2000 to 2007, but resigned two weeks before his term expired under a plea bargain that would have required him to admit to lesser charges of sexual misconduct. But in a dramatic reversal in April 2009, Katsav rejected the deal, which would have kept him out of jail, and vowed to clear his name in court. More»

(USER SUBMITTED) - An Arab man has been found guilty of rape after having consensual sex with a Jewish woman who believed he was also Jewish. Sabbar Kashur, 30, met the woman in downtown Jerusalem and told her that he was a Jewish bachelor who was interested in a long-term relationship. They had consensual sex, but when the woman later discovered he was actually an Arab (and presumably not looking for a long-term relationship, either), she filed rape charges; he was convicted of "rape by deception," reports the Guardian . More»

Goel Ratzon allegedly had 21 women, 49 children in cultlike atmosphere

(AP) - A 60-year-old Israeli man who kept a harem of at least 21 women who bore him 49 children has been charged with enslavement, rape, incest, and other sexual offenses. Goel Ratzon was arrested last month but wasn't charged formally until today. Ratzon, who remains behind bars, denies wrongdoing. The 25-page indictment accuses him of setting himself up as a "godlike" figure who preyed on troubled women while treating them like "chattel." More»

Resignation expected soon

(NEWSER) - Israeli police are recommending that embattled Prime Minister Ehud Olmert be indicted for bribery, money laundering and fraud, reports the Guardian. The final decision on what action to take after the 18-month investigation rests with the nation's attorney general. Olmert has already indicated he will resign within days. More»