It is reported that former President Moshe Katsav is likely to be paroled from prison after serving five years of his seven-year term for assaulting women. In the Israeli prison system, one-third is traditionally wiped from a prisoner’s sentence for good behavior and it is reported Mr. Katsav fits the bill, and may be a free man in the coming days.

This news has elicited the ire of a number of female MKs, who feel that a former president who dubiously become the first former president to be tried and convicted of harassing and assaulting women should not be released before completing his entire sentence. They point out that Katsav continues to maintain his innocence, hence he never admitted to anything or expressed remorse. If the parole board does not agree to his early release, it is likely a request for a pardon will find its way to the desk of President Reuven Rivlin.

MKs (Meretz) Zahava Gal-On, Michal Rozen and Tamar Zandberg have called on both President Rivlin and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked to oppose any request for a pardon for Katsav for they feel it would be most inappropriate for them to overrule the prison parole board. MK (Machane Tzioni) Shelly Yacimovich is also opposed to the former president’s early release.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)