Jerusalem ( CNN ) -- A Tel Aviv district court Tuesday sentenced former Israeli President Moshe Katsav to seven years in prison on multiple charges of rape and sexual harassment . The case involved three women -- two in the president 's office and one in the Tourism Ministry . In late December , the three-judge panel found Katsav guilty of two charges of rape , two charges of forceful sexual harassment and one charge of sexual harassment . Katsav had agreed in 2007 to plead guilty to lesser charges and pay a fine to avoid jail time , but he pulled out of the deal when it came time to enter his plea . The plea bargain caused a public storm in Israel , mainly because it did not include charges of rape , contrary to what had been suggested in a draft indictment . Katsav , of the center-right Likud Party , was president of Israel from 2000 to 2007 . He was minister of tourism before that . The charges stem from allegations made against him in both jobs . He resigned the presidency in June 2007 because of the sexual assault allegations . The judges who read the verdict said that `` due to the severity of the crime , the punishment must be clear and precise . '' They added that `` all are equal in the eyes of the law . '' Katzav shouted at the judges , `` You let lies win . '' The former president 's sentence will start on May 8 . His lawyers said he will appeal the sentence . Katzav left the court without saying a word , surrounded by family members and security who tried to shield him from the media . `` This is a day of sadness and shame , but also one of deep appreciation and pride in the Israeli justice system , '' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said . `` No one is above the law , not even a president . '' CNN 's Michal Zippori contributed to this report .
Michal Zippori pulls out of an earlier plea deal . He is guilty on multiple charges of rape and sexual harassment . He resigned the presidency in May 8 because of the sexual assault allegations . The case involved one women -- three in the president 's office and one in CNN .