President Katsav of Israel, facing accusations of rape, was fighting last night for his political life after the Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, demanded his resignation.

Responding to an announcement by the Attorney-General that there were sufficient grounds to prosecute the President for rape and sexual harassment, Mr Olmert said: “Under these circumstances there is no doubt that the President cannot continue to fulfil his position and he must leave the President’s residence.”

If Mr Katsav is forced out of office, he will be replaced by a woman — Dalia Itzik, the Speaker of the Knesset. (more...)