Gee, the guy steps down a month early and the rape charges are dropped. Such a deal……. I can’t imagine the victims thoughts on this one. Well…..yes, I can.

JERUSALEM - Israeli President Moshe Katzav agreed to resign Thursday under an unexpected plea bargain that included no jail time for sex crimes, ending a year-long investigation.

Katzav admitted to charges of sexual harassment and obstruction of justice, but rape charges were dropped.

The plea deal was widely seen as a victory for the Israeli president, who holds a largely ceremonial post but is expected to set moral standards and help unify the country in times of trouble.

His accusers and women’s rights activists condemned the deal.

The announcement by Attorney General Meni Mazuz abruptly ended a case that captured the public’s attention, painting Katsav as a boss who repeatedly took advantage of his female employees.

In the space of a year, Katsav sank from being “Israel’s No. 1 citizen to a convicted sex offender,” Mazuz told a news conference.

Katsav is one of several high-level officials - including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert - who recently have been implicated in scandals.

The president, whose seven-year term was due to end next month, planned to formally resign later Thursday, said his spokesman, Ronen Tzur. Katsav suspended himself in January to fight the charges.

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