Katzav's resignation is the latest snag in preparations for Israel's 50th anniversary celebrations.

Three chairmen of the committee that was created to plan the events have stepped down during the past year, citing rancorous relations with Katzav, whom they accused of meddling.

Another turned down the position early this month, two days after it was offered to her.

Committee members and Katzav have clashed with them over a number of issues, ranging from budgets to when and how the jubilee celebrations would be kicked off.

Israeli media reports, meanwhile, cited sources in the Prime Minister's Office as saying that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to remove Katzav from his duties as government liaison for the celebrations, saying he had shown "ineptitude" in all the dealings on the matter.