Former President Moshe Katsav, who has served five out of the seven years in prison to which he was sentenced following his conviction on two counts of rape and sexual assault, was granted early release by the Israel Prisons Service Parole Board Sunday. Katsav, 71, is incarcerated in Maasiyahu Prison. However, the state prosecution, which opposed granting him parole, requested that the ruling not go into effect for seven days. The parole board granted the delayed release request, potentially allowing time for an appeal on the ruling. Katsav has been up for parole twice before and was rejected both times. If he is released next week, he will be subject to a number of restrictions, including an evening curfew, travel limitations, a media interview ban, ongoing psychological rehabilitation, and regular check-ins with police. In its ruling granting parole, the parole board wrote, "After members of the board examined all claims made before them and all documents submitted to them, and after reviewing the protocols and rulings pertaining to the prisoner, we have reached the conclusion that the time has come to order the release of the prisoner." The board referred to Katsav's behavioral rehabilitation efforts and applauded his "sincerity," noting that he had met expectations set for him during his last parole evaluation. While Katsav's good behavior had been appreciated in the past, one of the factors that had previously stood in the way of his parole was an apparent lack of remorse and refusal to admit wrongdoing. This time, he acknowledged the suffering of his victims. "There is no doubt in our hearts that the prisoner has undergone a change, and this is in light of the remarks he made to members of the board during the current discussion, which were different from what he had said at the two previous discussions," the parole board wrote. "The board members were impressed that the prisoner has made significant strides since the first meeting, took up the challenge and took hold of the arm outstretched to him by the treatment officials in prison and was able to make use of it. The prisoner now understands the significance of his actions and his part in them. He understands the women's feelings of hurt and he regrets the sorrow he caused them." Still, the parole board members stressed that their decision to free Katsav does not take away from the seriousness of his crimes. "The issue of the victims of the crime was given expression and taken into account, in the trial, in the sentencing and in the parole board's previous decisions," the board wrote. "The court said its piece and the prisoner received and served his punishment. The fact of whether he is released or not does not say anything about the revulsion the board feels regarding his actions nor about the seriousness with which it views them." In Katsav's hometown of Kiryat Malachi, local residents supported the parole board's decision. Some even suggested that he should return to his previous position as mayor of the city. His defense team was pleased with the ruling, with attorney Shani Illouz saying, "The board put forward a clear message. On the one hand, identifying with the victims of the crime and their pain, and on the other hand [understanding that] the time has come and the terms justifying early release had been met." But not everyone is glad to see Katsav go free. One of the complainants in Katsav's case, Odelia Carmon, issued a statement saying, "The parole board made a terrible decision that makes it clear to women in Israel that we are in Sodom and that there is no limit to humiliation. The early release of the convicted rapist, who refuses to recognize his sins, at a time when a decorated military officer, a rabbi at a girls' school, a mayor, and a Constitution, Law and Justice Committee chairman are accused of sexual violence is indicative of the low values and morals of the society in which we live." Among the political echelon, a wave of Knesset members criticized the parole board's ruling. Yesh Atid MK Yael German said, "It cannot be that a man who served in the most respected office in Israel and who is supposed to set an example for all citizens will not finish serving his sentence for such serious crimes." Katsav's family mostly preferred to remain mostly silent on Sunday, and simply expressed happiness that they would soon be welcoming him home.
