Israeli police questioned President Moshe Katsav for a second day Thursday about sexual harassment allegations, while a lawmaker collected signatures to begin the impeachment process. Police questioned Katsav on Wednesday for more than five hours, the Associated Press reported. The probe focuses on accusations by two former female employees who told police Katsav harassed them. One of the women has also reportedly accused Katsav of receiving money for granting pardons _ one of the few authorities vested in the president, who has a largely ceremonial role. Katsav, who denies wrongdoing, has said he will not resign. However, with the investigation intensifying, calls are growing for Katsav to step aside, at least until the investigation is completed. Katsav's predecessor, Ezer Weizman, resigned from his post in 2000, just before the end of his term. The resignation came after the attorney general ruled that he had acted improperly when he accepted more than $300,000 (¤234,155) in gifts from a French millionaire. Weizman was never indicted, but the police investigation tainted the office of the president, which is supposed to be a symbol of Israel and be above scandal. The current police investigation further damages the image of the post.
