President Moshe Katsav on Monday blasted the public and the media for demanding his suspension due the ongoing police investigation against him.

"You're eager to see people hanging in the square," he said. "I realize that some people want a conviction before the investigation [is completed] and I'm fighting for my reputation ... My family and I are going through hard times: Not only have we fallen victim to a base libel; even the laws of natural justice and basic rights are now being tested."

Katsav said at a news conference Monday that while he has offered to let a temporary replacement swear in the new Supreme Court president, Dorit Beinisch, he has no intention of stepping down from any other duty necessitated by his post, despite the investigation.

	Advertisement

He added that although some people wanted him to remove himself from office immediately, "we must all wait until the end of the investigation. There is no other way."