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Israelis Demand President Katzav’s Resignation
- Adults in Israel believe their current head of state should quit, according to two recent public opinion polls. In a survey by the Dahaf Institute published in Yediot Ahronot, 55 per cent of respondents believe Moshe Katzav should resign from his position as a result of the episodes related to him.
In a study by Geocartographia released by Israel Radio, 53.7 per cent of respondents believe Katzav should quit.
Earlier this month, Katzav was accused by two female former employees of sexual harassment and corruption. The two allege that Katzav has both acted improperly towards women, and received money to grant pardons.
On Aug. 23, the president—who has denied any wrongdoing—was interrogated by police investigators for more than seven hours.
The Israeli Parliament currently elects the president to a seven-year term. In August 2000, Katzav took over from interim head of state Avraham Burg. In Israel, the president is considered as a largely ceremonial dignitary.
Before becoming president, Katzav served as deputy prime minister in a government headed by Likud party member Benjamin Netanyahu. In the 2000 vote, Katzav defeated former prime minister Shimon Peres in the Knesset by six votes.
Polling Data
a) Should Katzav resign from his position as a result of the episodes related to him?
Yes | 55% |
No | 33% |
Source: Dahaf Institute / Yediot Ahronot
Methodology: Interviews with 499 Israeli adults, conducted on Aug. 23, 2006. Margin of error is 3.7 per cent.
b) Should president Moshe Katzav...
Resign already now | 53.7% |
Continue serving for the time being | 38.5% |
Don't know | 7.8% |
Source: Geocartographia / Israel Radio
Methodology: Interviews with 540 Israeli adults, conducted on Aug. 23, 2006. Margin of error is 4.3 per cent.
