Last update - 00:00 09/10/2006
Thousands visit Katsav at official residence, amid protest
By Roni Singer-Heruti, Haaretz Correspondent, and Haaretz Service
Several thousand people turned out Monday for an annual Sukkot holiday open house held by President Moshe Katsav at his official residence in Jerusalem, as the Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel held a protest outside.
The demonstrators were calling on Katsav to suspend himself from office due to multiple allegations of sexual assault.
"Our goal is to remind visitors to the President's Residence that he is under criminal investigation, and that perhaps it would have been worthwhile not to come this year because the president is being investigated," said Sharon Mayevsky, the association's spokeswoman.
"We want to remind those who arrive about the complaints that have been filed against him, and as a result, perhaps we will convince the guests to join our side and not his sukkah."
The police are set to complete their investigation of allegations against Katsav on Monday, and make their recommendations to the State Prosecutor's Office.