I think I can. I think I can become the next President of Israel.First came the conviction. Then came Israeli President Moshe Katsav's plea of innocence. Actually, the prior statements are a bit like the chicken and egg scenario. One of them came before the other, but I can't figure out which actually preceded which.

Regardless, Katsav suspended himself earlier today and now comes news of more corruption from inside the Knesset.Vice Premier Shimon Peres knew of Katsav's sexual conduct and his other criminal activities back in 2000, but urged his collegues to ignore it.

President Moshe Katsav's opponent in the 2000 presidential race, Vice Premier Shimon Peres, revealed on Wednesday that he could have exposed sexual harassment allegations against Katsav ahead of the race, but decided against it.

Peres said he had been presented with complaints from women about Katsav, as well as allegations of criminal ties, but he ordered his associates not to make any use of the charges and to allow the race to be held solely on the two men's qualifications for the job.

"I don't regret my decision, even now," Peres told reporters in the Knesset cafeteria.

Ever the political opportunist good samaritan, "Peres signaled that he hoped the presidential race would take place as soon as possible, for the good of the country."