Katsav meets with gays, offers nothing

But if the Israeli gay group thought they had found an ever-open door at the pinnacle of the establishment, they were mistaken. At the end of the meeting, Katsav told them, "I thought it was important to meet you and hear what you have to say -- though I don't see how I can help you."

Earlier he said that the meeting should not be interpreted as either encouragement or criticism.

Nonetheless, PCGR members said Katsav was sensitive to their grievances and said that if there was anything he could do in the future, he would help. But there was a clear implication that he did not want to be bothered by a bevy of gay groups or individuals.

Michal Eden, a Meretz Tel Aviv City Council member, complained that leading politicians, such as Education Minister Limor Livnat, say that they accept gays as equals, but then decline to attend their functions, and invited Katsav to the 2002 Gay Pride festivities.

"When you're mayor of Tel Aviv and you issue the invitation again, I'll be happy to accept," he told her. "You've given me a challenge," replied Eden.