JERUSALEM, Aug 22: President Moshe Katsav will be questioned by police for the first time on Wednesday over sexual harassment allegations, in the latest top-level Israeli scandal and one that could topple the head of state.

Computers and documents have already been confiscated from his official residence.

According to a report published in the country’s biggest-circulation Yediot Aharonot newspaper, two young women employees unbeknown to each other at the presidency enjoyed Mr Katsav’s attentions.

When each discovered their rival, the women flew into a jealous rage. One of them allegedly returned from overseas to try to blackmail the head of state, demanding money and a job or threatening to file charges.

Mr Katsav at that point alerted Mr Mazuz to the alleged attempted blackmail, a development that in time saw the police inquiry get underway.—AFP