Tel Aviv - The trial of former Israeli President Moshe Katsav got underway in Tel Aviv Thursday, with the defence team rejecting all charges against their client.

The allegations against Katsav, which concern acts he allegedly committed while Minister of Trade and Industry as well as while president, include two counts of rape, two counts of committing an indecent act, two counts of sexual harassment, once count of harassing a witness and one count of obstruction of justice.

Speaking before the court session began, Katsav told reporters that "I am fighting to prove my innocence. We are setting out on a long, hard struggle to clear my name. I promise that once more I shall remain innocent."

"A year ago I decided to reject a plea bargain. I did this to fight for my innocence," Katsav said.

Dozens of protestors were at the courthouse in Tel Aviv, chanting slogans against the former president.

The trial is set to resume on September 1.

The charges against Katsav first came to light in July 2006, when the then-president complained to Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz that he was being blackmailed by a female employee in the president's office.

Mazuz launched an investigation, which came to include allegations that Katsav himself had been guilty of sexual misconduct.

As he investigation continued, other women who had worked with Katsav over the years also lodged complaints against him.

In 2007 Mazuz announced a plea bargain, whereby Katsav would not be charged with rape, but would plead guilty to lessor charges and resign as president.

Katsav did leave the presidency, but in May last year his lawyers announced they were cancelling the plea bargain and said their client would not plead guilty to any charges of sexual misconduct. (dpa)