Moshe Katsav Convicted of Rape
Claims to fame: Eighth president of Israel (2000-07); Deputy Prime Minister under Benjamin Netanyahu; former Minister of Tourism; former member of Knesset (Likud); right-wing nationalist hawk (think: equivalent of a hardcore Republican neoconservative); misogynist; convicted rapist
Moral apex: After four years of investigation, a trial and five months of deliberation by a three-judge panel, convicted, on December 30, 2010, of “rape, sexual harassment, committing an indecent act while using force, harassing a witness and obstruction of justice.”
The known rape victim: “Aleph,” a female employee who worked for Katsav at the Tourism Ministry.
The “known” victim? Right. Katsav is said to have indulged in other acts of inappropriate behavior, targeting other women, involving everything from sexual comments to questionable hugging.
Possible sentence: Up to 49 years, although hardly anyone thinks he’s going to get that much time.
Memorable observations:
Throughout the interview, Katsav displayed other signature signs of a man who has no respect for women. He repeatedly referred to his accusers, as well as the women who worked for him generally, as banot (girls) and not women, a common sting in Israeli society even among the most high level professional settings, a usage that systematically infantilizes women. Similarly, he disparagingly dismissed the reporter’s questions and her entire professional identity by calling her gvirti, loosely translated as “Hey, lady.” The reporter thus did not have a name, an identity or status in front of him. He did not call her, “Ms. Betito” or even “Merav,” but just this dismissive, biting, “You are nothing to me” term of gvirti. It is a classic expression of the manipulative, abusive man, trying to control the women around him and prove he is stronger, more powerful and superior to all those around him. (If you ever want to get on my bad side, try calling me gveret.) It is one of the most embedded put-downs for women in the Hebrew language — right after banot.— Elana Sztokman
“Shame on you, Gila Katsav“
Jerusalem Post
March 24, 2009
The court today delivered two clear messages, one being that everyone is equal in the eyes of the law and the second the right of every woman to be in control of her own body.
— Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Bloomberg
December 30, 2010
My message to women who are exposed to harassment or molestation is to go and complain, even if the path to justice is long.
— “Aleph”
Jerusalem Post
December 31, 2010
Suggested Torah reading for Mr. Katsav:
And if ye will not yet for all this hearken unto me, then I will punish you seven times more for your sins.And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:
— Leviticus 26:18-19
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