Former president convicted of rape released from prison

Former President Moshe Katsav, who was sentenced to seven years in prison following a conviction on two counts of rape and sexual assault, released from prison Wednesday after serving five years and 15 days of his sentence.

The Israel Prison Service Parole Board decided to grant Katsav's motion for parole last week. The decision went unchallenged by the State Attorney's Office, to the indignation of women's rights organizations.

The IPS informed his victims of the impending release. Katsav, 71, continues to deny any wrongdoing and has never expressed any remorse for his actions.

Despite walking free, Katsav will have to follow strict limitations, including a curfew between 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.; he is barred from giving media interviews until the period of his original sentence elapses; he cannot leave the country without IPS approval; he must follow a strict sex offenders' rehabilitation plan, including psychological treatment and group therapy; and he is barred from employing women in any capacity that would place him in a position of authority over them.

Any violations to the conditions of his parole would automatically void it, sending the former president back to jail to serve the remainder of his sentence.

Defending its decision not to appeal the Parole Board's decision, the State Attorney's Office said: "After studying the Parole Board's decision and reasoning, the state came to the conclusion that, based on current case law, and as the decision in question cannot be construed as being highly unreasonable, its motion to deny [parole] would most likely be denied."

The State Attorney's Office stressed its decision does not downplay the severity of the offense. "The State Attorney's Office and the justice system's handling of former President Katsav's case proves that the State of Israel acts on the principles that all are equal before the law."

Orit Sulitzeanu, director of the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel, denounced the decision as "outrageous."

"The release of the former president and convicted rapist Katsav is outrageous, not just for the victims of sexual assault but also for anyone who values justice and equality in Israel," she said. "It's unacceptable for a man with means and connections to take advantage of his status and exhaust the justice system until he is released. It's inconceivable that the State Attorney's Office did not appeal this parole. They are supposed to protect the rights of the victims."

Gila Oshrat, head of the Women's International Zionist Organization in Israel, said, "Today a convicted rapist was reintroduced into Israeli society. His early release, without a shred of remorse, betrays the public's trust in the justice system. This is an affront to thousands of sexual assault victims, many of whom still do not dare complain. The State Attorney's Office's decision not to appeal the Parole Board's decision sends a clear message to women in Israel -- the price for hurting you has been reduced."

Odelia Carmon, one of Katsav's victims, denounced the decision as well.

"The public is not stupid. When the justice system sees how he doesn't acknowledge his action, doesn't apologize, doesn’t show remorse but finds himself free nonetheless -- that simply trivializes the system, trivializes women, and trivializes all of us. And most importantly, it trivializes anyone who thinks it's important to fight against sexual harassment."

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