Last update - 00:00 16/08/2007
Knesset okays NIS 1 million for former president's security
By Moti Bassok, Haaretz Correspondent
The Knesset Finance Committee approved on Wednesday the annual allocation of some NIS one million for former president Moshe Katsav's personal security.
The sum was approved following a request submitted by the Shin Bet security service.
Katsav has agreed to plea guilty to sexual harassment, forcible indecent assault and harassing a witness, as part of a plea bargain that struck rape charges from the indictment and handed him only a suspended jail sentence.
The committee rejected for the second time a motion to discuss granting millions of shekels each year to fund two assistants and an office, which are usually granted to former presidents and prime ministers.
The motion to discuss the issue was rejected in an attempt to preserve the dignity of the president, because it is almost certain the committee will deny Katsav the funds should they be brought for a vote.
Several weeks ago, amid public fury, the committee was reportedly leaning towards denying Katsav the assistants and office. Representatives asked the former president's brother, Lior Katsav, to ask his brother to relinquish his rights to these benefits, so that the committee could spare him the humiliation of voting against them.
Lior Katsav recently told the committee that his brother insists on receiving these rights.
Committee Chairman Stas Misezhnikov (Yisrael Beiteinu) told the committee on Thursday of the president's decision, though a vote on the budget for his assistants and office has not yet taken place.
The budgets Katsav is requesting are in addition to his pension funds, and include: financing for his private Kiryat Malachi apartment; a government vehicle; a monthly expense account of NIS 928 to cover entertaining, health insurance for him and his wife, phone expenses, and newspaper subscription.
The committee voted several weeks ago to revoke state benefits for former presidents and prime ministers who have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude. Katsav's conviction is pending approval by the High Court of Justice, which is in the midst of hearing petitions against the plea deal.