Olmert

Embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared on Sunday that Israel and the Palestinians have never been closer to making peace - even as a widening corruption investigation brings him closer than ever to being ousted from office. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas - who met with Olmert at the French presidential palace before a summit of European, Middle Eastern and African leaders - als

Yet more investigations are being launched against him: (IsraelNN.com) In a joint statement issued early Friday afternoon, the police and Justice Ministry said that they are looking into new allegations against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. According to these allegations, Olmert used to have several bodies – including the government – finance his trips abroad when he was Mayor of Jerusalem and

(H/T Our Jerusalem) Outside, we could hear the men storming about. Desperately, we sought to hide. Danny helped our neighbor climb into a crawl space above our bedroom; I went in behind her with Yael in my arms. Then Danny grabbed Einat and was dashing out the front door to take refuge in an underground shelter when the terrorists came crashing into our flat. They held Danny and Einat while they

Akhirnya, rezim zionis Israel pun harus mengakui kembali kekalahannya di hadapan gerakan Hezbullah Lebanon, setelah rezim penjajah ini sepakat menjalin pertukaran tawanan dengan Hezbullah. Dengan disahkannya keputusan pembebasan para tawanan Lebanon oleh kabinet rezim zionis, maka hitungan mundur detik-detik masa pembebasan para tawanan Lebanon telah dimulai. Rezim zionis berjanji bakal melakukan

PA TV som kontrolleras av Mahmoud Abbas visar under helgen upp den livstidsdömde Samir Kuntar (se bild med Israels karta i palestinaflaggans färger). Under veckan ska Kuntar friges i utbyte mot kvarlevorna av de kidnappade israeliska soldaterna Eldad Regev och Ehud Goldwasser (enl. Dick Haas) PLO-LEDARE om Kuntar: - Det palestinska folket och det palestinska ledarskapet står bakom dig. - Quntar

Here's the latest news on the Olmert investigation: Police say investigators have left for the US to question people in connection with the corruption probe involving Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said that the investigators flew to the US on Monday and are expected to be there about two weeks. He had no further details. Israel Radio reported that the officers

Two prominent stories this week feature sources citing IMMINENT events.  If you aren’t convinced that the portal to the Bizarro World has sucked you into an alternate reality then keep reading. Canadian & American Intelligence warn that Hezbollah attacks on Jews worldwide are imminent. At the very same time, a Lebanese official has stated that the release of [...]

To signal the end of his career, as he may now be endorsing a primary on Wednesday: Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is likely to initiate the end of his political career on Wednesday when he is expected to give the authorization necessary for a primary in Kadima to replace him. Olmert had intended to defy political pressure and continue to try to stall the process of ending his premiership, but

Well, I'd say it figures: (IsraelNN.com) Former Finance Minister Avraham Hirschson has been added to the growing list of those who may be involved in campaign finance irregularities and other forms of corruption in the widening investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. As part of the criminal investigation of Hirschson, Israel Police revealed Tuesday they are examining possible links

OCCUPIED JERUSALEM - PalestineNews : Israeli premier Ehud Olmert is to head a consultative meeting grouping him with war minister Ehud Barak and foreign minister Tzipi Livni on Tuesday to decide whether to launch a large-scale offensive on Gaza Strip, the Hebrew radio reported on Monday. The radio quoted Israeli political sources as saying that Barak is adamant on launching a "severe military offe

US President George W. Bush and Israeli premier Ehud Olmert say the international community must take the ‘Iranian threat seriously’. At the outset of Wednesday talks with the Israeli prime minister Bush suggested that Washington is committed to rallying up support against Tehran, claiming that, “Iran is an existential threat to peace.” “It is very important for the

Isi Leibler in the Jerusalem Post talks about Ehud Olmert's investigation, and says that: It could be weeks, or even months. But Ehud Olmert's political fate is sealed. Even if the nauseating revelations in Morris Talansky's testimony fail to result in a formal indictment, Olmert has passed the point of no return in the court of public opinion, which has determined that he must go. The displays

GAZA - PalestineInfo : The Hamas Movement on Sunday condemned PA chief Mahmoud Abbas's insistence on meeting with Zionist occupation leaders despite their ongoing murder crimes, aggression, judaization and colonization against the Palestinian people and lands. Dr. Sami Abu Zuhri, a Hamas spokesman, said in a statement to the PIC that the "dangerous" point in Abbas's meeting with Olmert on Monday i

NAZARETH - PalestineInfo : Israeli premier Ehud Olmert is to disuses calm with the Palestinian resistance factions during a mini-cabinet session on Sunday to precede his meeting with PA chief Mahmoud Abbas on Monday, Israeli government sources told the Hebrew media. They said that a number of ministers in Olmert's government oppose the calm including his first deputy Haim Ramon. They demand launch

I love Bi-Bi. He’s a hawk, and Hamas will be wetting their pants if they have to deal with him.  He’s a no-nonsense conservative who will not hesitate to defend Israel.  Let’s hope this happens soon. Yahoo News JERUSALEM - Hardline Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu would win national elections if a corruption probe topples Prime Minister [...]

Only fantasists can believe that in this day and age, and in the current situation, it is still possible to cling to the vision of 'Greater Israel,' Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Monday. Olmert participated in the committee's session to brief them on the resumption of negotiations with Syria and to address criticism of his ap

But Mr. Olmert, who has not been charged, seemed determined to stay put. Late Wednesday, according to the Israeli news media, he said, “There are those who believe that the launching of any investigation demands a resignation, but I don’t adhere to this notion and I will not step down.”An official close to Mr. Olmert said, “The prime minister is convinced that as this investigation continu

A Palestinian suicide bomber carried out an attack at a border crossing yesterday, killing only himself. The same day, a Hamas-led protest drew fire from Israeli soldiers: Later on Thursday, hundreds of Palestinians answered a Hamas call to protest the blockade, gathering on the Gaza side of the Karni crossing, an almost entirely closed commercial terminal on the territory’s eastern edge. Soldie

A day before he goes for another interrogative round, here's what's now told: The National Fraud Unit believes Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made "personal use" of the funds he received from New York financier Morris Talansky, a senior law enforcement official confirmed on Wednesday evening, as a media-ban on the criminal investigation was lifted. "Talansky transferred money to Olmert

Here's some of the latest on Ehud Olmert's shady business: While serving as minister of industry, trade and labor, and not just during election campaigns, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert received, in person, cash envelopes from American business Morris Talansky, State Attorney Moshe Lador told the Supreme Court monday, adding that new details of Olmert's alleged corruption would be revealed in the

President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush are joined by Mrs. Aliza Olmert, wife of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and Israel’s President Shimon Peres as Israeli Prime Minister Olmert delivers remarks Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at arrival ceremonies for President and Mrs. Bush in Tel Aviv. White House photo by Chris Greenberg President Bush Arrives in Israel, FULL STREAMING VIDEO Welcomed by Presid

Get ready for the international and islamic castigation: Olmert told Suleiman that any agreement must deal with stopping arms smuggling from Sinai into the Gaza Strip and the release of captured IDF soldier Gilad Schalit. I would figure these to be reasonable demands. In fact, if an Arab.islamists nation were on the receiving end they would claim the same. However, these kind of stipulations

Just today, the police paid a visit to Jerusalem's municipality: Detectives from the National Fraud Unit raided the Jerusalem City Hall with a search warrant on Monday afternoon, seeking documents dating back to Olmert's two terms as mayor of the capital from 1993 to 2003, during which he is suspected of illegally receiving funds from New York financer Morris Talansky. "The search is linked

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made clear he is not going to discuss issues with Hamas, but will put an end to the Gaza rocket attacks through some form of military action. “Let it be clear,” he told the Israel Cabinet, “we view Hamas as completely responsible for everything that happens in the Gaza Strip. [...]

Israeli's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has recently faced a number of accusations regarding financial scandals, as well as rising cries for his resignation. So far, he is refusing to step down. Olmert, whose departure could disrupt U.S.-sponsored peace negotiations with the Palestinians, pressed on with his duties after telling the nation in a late-night address on Israel's 60th Independence Day that he would resign only if the attorney general could produce sufficient evidence to indict him. Coalition allies have been conspicuously mute in offering their public support. But the prime minister, who will host U.S. President George W. Bush next week, looked relaxed when speaking in Jerusalem to Canadians who raise funds for Israel. He made only an oblique, passing reference to his troubles, sa

Prme Minister Ehud Olmert is facing criminal charges for supposedly accepting money from businessmen, but he is also under attack from another source as Palestinian Authority officials blast his latest comments as deliberate distortion of what is taking place in negotiations. Palestinians leaders are upset at the recent comment by Olmert that “significant progress” has [...]

Here's another report on Ehud Olmert's rapidly growing scandal: Uri Messer's testimony will cause difficulties for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in the investigation of suspicions that the prime minister accepted large sums of money from US businessman Morris Talansky, legal officials were quoted as saying Friday. Yediot Aharonot and Ma'ariv reported that Messer, Olmert's close associate and lawyer

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert admitted on Thursday taking bribes from a U.S. businessman but refused to resign. All of this on Israel's sixtieth birthday :(Note: He said he would resign only if formally indicted.Link - Skynews

A New York-area businessman and philanthropist has emerged as a key figure in an Israeli investigation into financial dealings of Ehud Olmert that have cast a new cloud over the embattled prime minister. Morris "Moshe" Talansky of Woodmere, Long Island, was questioned by police in Israel about reported payments he made to Olmert in the 1990s, when the prime minister served as Jerusalem's mayor, according to the New York Post, which first reported the story Tuesday. The investigation, which emerged last week, threatens to embarrass Olmert as the country marks its 60th anniversary of independence on Thursday. Dozens of world leaders, including President Bush, are scheduled to join celebrations next week. An Israeli court has barred publication of most details of the case. A court s

And tells about a millionaire in the midst of it (via My Right Word and NFC): A Long Island mogul is at the center of a sensational bribery scandal that could bring down embattled Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, The Post has learned. Millionaire financier Morris Talansky - who runs an investment firm out of his tony home in Woodmere - allegedly passed money to Olmert while the politician

Pathetic pacifism.  Not just to Syria, but to the world community.  It’s insane to think that Syria will commit to peace if the Golan Heights are given back.  They are intent on Israel’s destruction just as much as other Muslim countries are. Why would Olmert go to so much length to appease the international community and [...]

04-04-2008Estimado(a) Ehud Olmert,Le escribo para pedirle que se una a los jefes de estado que han pedido públicamente a China que abra un diálogo con el Dalai Lama sobre la situación en el Tíbet. Soy una del millón y medio de personas en todo el Mundo que firmaron una petición apoyando esta causa, y miles más se unen a nosotros diariamente. Con los Juegos Olímpicos en camino, contamos con que usted utilizará la diplomacia para llevar paz y justicia al Tíbet.Sinceramente, Norberto PortugheizIsrael ( Enviado a traves de la organizacion AVAAZwww.avaaz.org )

Over the next six months Israeli and PA negotiators are expected to finalize an agreement that will include dividing Jerusalem, flooding Israel with Palestinian immigrants and an Israeli withdrawal to the 1948 Armistice Line.

Remarks by Vice President Cheney and Prime Minister Olmert of Israel in Press Availability JERUSALEM, Mar 22, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Prime Minister’s Residence 8:25 P.M. (Local) PRIME MINISTER OLMERT: Good evening. Welcome, Mr. Vice President. I’m honored and delighted to have you visiting here after five years, which was your last visit. It is particularly significant this time because you [...]

This Hebrew-language article on Walla tells that Mercaz Harav has wisely thought to turn down a visit by Ehud Olmert. After all, his policies have led to this happening and letting him visit will not make things any better. On the other hand, John McCain is supposed to visit Israel in 2 weeks, and I think he should visit Mercaz Harav in a show of solidarity, which would be a most positive sign.

Mr. Ehud Olmert, Did Hamas do it or not? Was it Hizbollah? In the grand scheme of events it really doesn't matter. The fact is a "palestinian" went into an Israeli school and killed students. Who sent him to do it is up for debate. My bet is on Hamas. The initial claim and then disclaim are too suspicious. Once Hamas realized the repercussions of this act, they tried to take back their claim.

The following is a press release from Americans for a Safe Israel I received by email today. Judging by the headline in today's Jpost, Olmert and Abbas to start negotiations on core issues the long awaited crash of the Olmert regime may finally come to fruition. Bye bye Shas and Yisrael Beitenu. Pres. Bush may leave Israel wondering if he caused his friend Ehud his job. Click to enlargePress Release: U.S. Evangelical Leaders Reject Palestinian State in Judea and Samariain Jerusalem Post Ad Keyed to President Bush’s Arrival in IsraelJerusalem, 1/8/08 – Proclaiming “an ineradicable bond between the geographical integrity of the land…and God’s promise of the land as “an everlasting possession” to the people of Israel, 26 American Evangelical pastors and lay leaders from 11 state

Yossi Verter reports in Haaretz on the warming relations between Olmert and Peretz (Hebrew Version), labeling it a "Late Love":A senior figure in the Labor Party this week offered an incisive headline for the relations between Olmert and Peretz: "late love." While Peretz was in the government, their relations were marked by quarrels, lengthy periods of mutual silent treatment, and constant mutual suspiciousness. But after their paths parted, in June of this year, when Peretz was replaced by Ehud Barak as party leader, they rediscovered each other. The time apart has been good for them. Olmert meets frequently with Peretz privately and keeps him abreast of intelligence secrets and security developments. When the relations between the prime minister and the present defense minister deteriorated, Olmert found in Peretz an attentive and sympathetic listener. Olmert also enjoys hearing Peretz attack Barak and urge him to show a warmer attitude toward the negotiations with the Palestinians

I'm using the chance I have to write for several ideas I had over the weekend, posted as separate posts for sake of archiving. Others may have opted for this to be one long post. Yoel Marcus has returned to support Olmert (Hebrew). He supported him for premiership, considering him a successor of Sharon, was quickly disenchanted, and now supports him again. For me, this is only a sign not to take to much notice of someone who is supposed to be a leading commentator. For Olmert, this might be good news.

:: EHUD OLMERT har tydligen sagt Ja till en begäran från PLO att terrorledare får återvända till Betlehem och Gaza. Det är terrorledare som utvisades till länder i Europa i samband med belägringen av Födelsekyrkan i Betlehem våren 2002. Terroristerna tillhör Mahmoud Abbas Fatahmilis och har länge varit anklagade för kampanjer mot Betlehems kristna befolkning. Terroristerna anklagas för planering och genomförande av en mångfald attacker, inklusive självmordsbombningar och dödsskjutningar. EHUD OLMERT tillåter terroristerna att återvända som en gest gentemot Abbas efter den senaste månadens Annapolismöten. BAKGRUND Av de 123 beväpnade terroristerna som förskansat sig i Födelsekyrkan under sex veckor 2002 fördes 13, som stått högst på Israels lista över terrormisstänkta, till Cypern. 26 fördes till Gaza, resten släpptes fria. De som ockuperade Födelsekyrkan tog klostrets folk som gisslan och sökte undkomma Israels anti-terrorgrupp. Mer än 200 nunnor oc

Benjamin Netanyahu has rightfully taken Ehud Olmert to task for his pathetic act during the Annapolis farce: "Arabs do not respect a weak prime minister," opposition leader Binyamin Netanyahu said Thursday following the Annapolis summit, which he described as "a failure." He said there was "a virtual element" to the conference. "It was as if we were talking peace with a courageous partner but (

The Israeli police are to send in their investigation conclusions. It's interesting that MK Zevulun Orlev feels that the police shouldn't make a recommendation on this though: Knesset State Control Committee chairman Zevulun Orlev on Thursday appealed to Public Security Minister Avi Dichter with a request to prevent the Israel Police from submitting its recommendations on Prime Minister Ehud

Life in Israel talks about how this was mentioned on Israel Radio. This apparently had what to do with that Olmert's going to Annapolis, and they were under pressure not to "embarrass" him while he was there. Can we be clear here? Olmert is not a legitimate politician due to his corrupt activities and the police should not hesitate to make an announcement about whether they recommend indicting

Police are close to reaching a decision on the Bank Leumi scandal Olmert was involved in: The team of detectives investigating Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's possible corruption in the sale of Bank Leumi is expected to decide by Sunday whether the evidence gathered in the case justifies charging him. Olmert, who was serving as finance minister at the time of the sale, is suspected of

:: ANNAPOLIS är dömt att misslyckas. Det illustreras suveränt av Linus på linjen: YouTube (02:32)REFLEKTION Den politiskt fastlagda Annapolisprocessen modell George Bush/Condoleezza Rice är dömd att misslyckas eftersom den saknar alla grundläggande förutsättningar för fred. Det enda realistiska alternativet torde vara ELON-planen. Technorati tags: Annapolis Mellanösternkonflikten Israel-Palestinakonflikten Israel Palestina Condoleezza Rice Carl Bildt Läs även andra bloggares åsikter om: Annapolis, Condolezza Rice, Carl Bildt, Bush, Israel, Palestina ::

In a report that touches on the fourth investigation so far of Ehud Olmert's corruption: (IsraelNN.com) State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss has accused Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of using his influence as Minister of Trade, Industry, and Labor to obtain NIS 7.67 million in grants for an associate between 2000 and 2005. Rahamim Ben Shushan, an activist in Likud’s central committee, was given

In another shoddy act of contempt for the public, Ehud Olmert is going to release as many as 450 terrorist prisoners, and even pledging not to build "new settlements". There was a special demonstration held today at the Rose Garden opposite the prime minister's office, calling to release Jewish prisoners and not terrorists. Why exactly are innocent Jews being incarcerated while potentially

A major investigative raid was conducted by Israeli police to gather vital evidence in their investigation of Ehud Olmert: Over 100 investigators from the National Fraud Investigation Unit simultaneously searched more than 20 locations Sunday morning for evidence in connection with three ongoing probes into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for alleged corruption. Investigators searched private, public

The latest on the probe into Ehud Olmert's bank scam: (IsraelNN.com) The head of the police investigative team probing Olmert's alleged intervention in the Bank Leumi privatization recommends charges against the Prime Minister. According to a report in the Yisrael Hayom Hebrew-language commuter paper this week, the entire investigative team that was actively engaged in the probe supports the

Yes, that's right, THREE criminal investigations! It's a very serious blow to his career that he's been asking for. Here's some more: Israel's attorney-general has ordered a third police investigation into political appointments made by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. The investigation deals a fresh blow to the beleaguered politician who already faces two police probes, one possibly involving

Israel's Olmert to face new police probe(AFP) AFP - Israel's attorney general on Sunday ordered a police investigation into political appointments made by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert when he was trade minister, dealing a fresh blow to the beleaguered politician who already faces two police probes. Israeli land grabs erode confidence, says Rice(AFP) AFP - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Sunday she will tell Israel that its expropriation of Arab lands erodes confidence in its commitment to a two-state solution. Malaysia probes plane stowaway case(AP)AP - A Palestinian man managed to stow away in a wheel well of an airplane flying from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore, prompting Malaysian officials to order a probe into how he breached security, reports said Sunday. Israel PM lowers expectations of peace meeting(AFP) AFP - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday sought to lower expectations of a US-sponsored peace meeting saying that a joint document outlining a de

Today, the Israeli police questioned him under caution about his role in bank related fraud when he was finance minister in 2005. I have no doubt he's been very dishonest with them, but now, he's been questioned as last, and that's very important. I think he's going to be questioned further on Thursday, and that's important too.

And this may be even more important than the first. It's into his illegal method of purchasing a house: (IsraelNN.com) Attorney General Menachem Mazuz has instructed the police to launch a criminal investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert regarding his purchase of a private home on Cremieux Street in Jerusalem when he was Mayor of Jerusalem in October 2004. Olmert is suspected of

Ehud Olmert has said that he'll absorb 500 refugees from Darfur, but expel the rest. But look at what he called them:In a decisive move to address the African refugee crisis, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced on Sunday that Israel has agreed to absorb 500 refugees from Darfur among the 2,800 Africans that have illegally entered into Israel."Those who have entered Israel illegally from Egypt will be returned to Egypt," government spokesman David Baker said, according to the Jerusalem Post. "These people are illegal economic migrants and will be returned."Is that implying that they're literally illegal immigrants looking to take advantage of state welfare and jobs like those infiltrating the US? These are people who've fled from the Islamic massacres against the black natives of Sudan, and are really here to find safety. They certainly haven't found it in Egypt, where police once massacred many refugees. They all deserve to find some safety from the barbarism they've been forced

State prosecutor is supposed to issue a decision on an indictment following this investigation:(IsraelNN.com) Testimony by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert before the National Fraud Investigation Unit in the next few days is expected to clinch a decision by State Prosecutor Eran Shendar as to whether to issue an indictment in the Bank Leumi privatization affair.Investigators will grill the prime minister about his involvement in the sale of the government shares in the bank during his reign as acting Finance Minister. The tender was issued by Olmert in November 2005, during the term of former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.Olmert is suspected of using his position to help two business associates compete in the bidding for the bank shares. One of the two, Australian business tycoon Frank Lowy, was set to become a controlling shareholder in Bank Leumi after it was privatized.[...]State Prosecutor Eran Shendar is right now deciding whether or not to proceed with the investigation of the Prime Mini

Der israelische Rechnungshof macht Ehud Olmert im Zusammenhang mit dem Libanonkrieg vom Sommer vergangenen Jahres massive Vorwürfe.Rechnungshofchef Micha Lindenstrauss kritisiere in dem Bericht die Regierung, die Armee und Rettungsdienste für schwere Fehler beim Zivilschutz, hiess es in übereinstimmenden Medienberichten.Dabei würden Regierungschef Olmert, Ex-Verteidigungsminister Amir Perez sowie der frühere Generalstabschef Dan Halutz und ein Kommandeur des Zivilschutzes direkt beschuldigt, meldete der Armeerundfunk. Der Bericht soll morgen Donnerstag veröffentlicht werden. Laut öffentlich-rechtlichem Rundfunk hat Olmert bereits eine Antwort verfasst.In einem Ende April veröffentlichten ersten Bericht einer unabhängigen Untersuchungskommission waren Olmert, Perez und der Armeeführung bereits schwere Versäumnisse und überhastete Entscheidungen angelastet worden.Im Kabinett und aus der eigenen Partei Kadima wurden daraufhin Rücktrittsforderungen an Olmert gerichtet, die er

The state attorney's office has decided to recommend opening an investigation into Ehud Olmert's buying a house unlawfully:Despite reports late Sunday night that a criminal investigation would be opened against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert regarding his purchase of a home on the capital's Cremieux Street in 2004, Justice Ministry officials insisted that the case was simply in a "very advanced stage, pending a decision."Justice Ministry spokesman Moshe Cohen refused to confirm or deny rumors that State Attorney Eran Shendar had decided to recommend to Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz that Olmert face a criminal investigation for the real estate purchase.In the Justice Ministry, however, the belief was that a decision on a criminal probe would be made in the next two to three weeks.The circumstances surrounding the purchase of Olmert's home in the German Colony neighborhood raised suspicions last year when reports were released that Olmert, who formerly served as both mayor of Jerusalem

(Ehud Olmert) Right wing blasts PM over Syria report - The Jerusalem PostExcerpt:"Right-wingers were seething on Friday afternoon after a report that a recent flurry of secret messages from Israel to Syria signaled Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's willingness to give up the Golan Heights in return for a peace agreement."http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1181228572173&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFullAlex

Jerusalem, June 6 (Xinhua) A meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas scheduled for Thursday has been postponed at the Palestinians’ request, Olmert’s office said Wednesday. According to the prime minister’s office, the main divergence of the two sides was the Palestinian taxes, which were withheld by Israel. Media reports quoted chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat as saying that Israel refused the Palestinian’s request for the release of the money. Other Palestinian officials said Israel was also unwilling to accept a Palestinian demand to revive the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip on condition that it is extended to the West Bank.

The time for Olmert to face the Knesset and explain his refusal to resign is drawing near:(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will be forced to stand before the Knesset Tuesday afternoon and explain his response to the Winograd Committee's interim report in a session entitled, "The Prime Minister's Refusal to Surrender his Position Following the Winograd Report."PM Olmert has, until now, avoided offering an explanation to the Knesset, where outbursts and recriminations are a part of most addresses.Forty MKs signed a petition forcing Olmert to answer questions regarding his decision to stay in power following the damning report.I wonder if he'll be stuttering as he appears before them? But he certainly does have a lot explaining to do.

One of Ehud Olmert's associates in his illegal activities appears to be hiding evidence against him:(IsraelNN.com) In a report Friday, journalist Yoav Yitzchak said that the company accused of bribing Prime Minister Ehud Olmert by giving him a huge discount on the purchase of an apartment in a project for which he helped arrange hard-to-get permits had “lost” an important piece of evidence in the case. The Alumot construction company, which developed the Carmia project in which Olmert reportedly purchased an apartment at a $600,000 discount, says that it cannot find an appraisal document prepared by the company that states the developers could expect between NIS 1.8 million and NIS 2 million for dwellings of the type and size Olmert was able to purchase – for NIS 1.2 million.Are he and they trying now to destroy evidence? It would seem that way.

He wants to appear before the Lebanon war commission again:JERUSALEM (AP) - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert wants to appear again before the Lebanon war commission, after testimony released by the body showed he blamed the army for shortcomings but acknowledged he ignored warnings that Israeli forces were unprepared for the conflict last summer.Olmert's office said late Thursday that he wants to counter a statement to the commission from his foreign minister and political rival, Tzipi Livni, that she recommended a diplomatic solution instead of a large-scale military operation the day after Hezbollah guerrillas captured two soldiers and killed three in a cross-border raid. Olmert said there was no such recommendation.Olmert's appearance before the panel failed to stave off its severe censure of his wartime performance. Last week's publication of the commission's first report triggered a wave of calls for his resignation.The war ended without Israeli forces fulfilling Olmert's two state

The MKs want Ehud Olmert to explain why he refuses to resign:MKs from both opposition and coalition parties submitted a petition to Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik on Tuesday demanding the plenum hold a special debate with the participation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to discuss "the prime minister's refusal to resign following the Winograd report."46 MKs signed the petition, including six from the Labor Party. The signatures of only 40 MKs are legally required in order to force the prime minister to participate.[...]"We only turned to the clause in the Basic Law: The Government that forces the prime minister to participate in the discussion after Olmert, who refuses to take responsibility, evaded appearing before the Knesset plenum," [Gideon] Sa'ar said.To date, Olmert has refrained from addressing the report before the plenum.[...]"The prime minister cannot continue avoiding to deal with the report and its severe findings," [Ami] Ayalon said. "If he does not understand himself that h

Ehud Olmert, obviously desperate for survival, is trying to make the Likud an offer to join the government if Labor pulls out by offering them the defense portfolio. My recommendation: don't take it at all. The man is facing charges over his corrupt activities anyway.In another related item, Condi Rice has cancelled a trip to Israel following the publication of the Winograd report. That's just as well, since she's been undermining US policy already as it is.

This evening saw the biggest anti-government rally in quite a while. At least 200,000 people attended:Over 200,000 people have gathered in Tel Aviv's Rabin Square on Thursday night as a mass rally against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert gained momentum.Bereaved parents were the first to address the crowd.Asnag Vishneri, the mother of a soldier who was killed in Gaza, said, “We demand a leadership that is not cut off from the nation and that isn’t led by egos and political calculations.“I call on the government to look into the eyes of the real losers of this failed war, the bereaved families, and ask us for forgiveness.”[...]The demonstration was organized in the wake of a damning interim report on the handling of last summer's war with Hizbullah.The Winograd Commission, appointed by Olmert and Defense Minister Amir Peretz last September, censured both leaders for their flawed leadership during the war.People from all walks of life poured into the square to convey their frustratio

Top Party Official Calls for Olmert to Resign - New York TimesExcerpt:"A senior official in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s own party openly called for him to resign today, adding to mounting pressure in the wake of a damning report about Mr. Olmert’s performance in last summer’s war against Hezbollah.Avigdor Itzhaki, chairman of the Kadima Party’s representatives in Parliament and chairman of the governing coalition, told Army Radio that he was “trying to persuade Kadima members to ask the prime minister to resign.” He added that if Mr. Olmert did not resign, he would.In response, aides of Mr. Olmert called Mr. Itzhaki a disloyal “subversive” who has “no place in this government,” according to Army Radio."http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/world/middleeast/02cnd-israel.html?_r=1&hp&oref=sloginAlex

And now, Ehud Olmert has just been confronted with very hard, serious charges of corruption:State Comptroller Micha Lindenstrauss on Wednesday informed the attorney-general that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert may have been guilty of criminal behavior by taking an active part in an Investment Center decision to provide a $10 million grant to a company represented by his close friend, former partner and personal lawyer, Uriel Messer.The letter to Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz came in the wake of a 30-page report released on the same day entitled "Conflict of Interests on the Part of the Minister of Commerce and Industry." The decision to provide the grant to the company represented by Messer was made under the previous government, when Olmert served as minister of commerce and industry.[...]According to Lindenstrauss, Silicat Industries Inc. applied to the Investment Center in October 2001 for status as an "approved industry," which would enable it to obtain government money to build a Sili

An amazing bit of news today. Ehud Olmert cited Tzipi Livni as being just as responsible during the second Lebanon war as he was:(IsraelNN.com) Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, in an interview with Army Radio on Sunday, said that the Israeli government made mistakes during the Second Lebanon War, and included Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in the list of officials who made the mistakes.Livni is the highest ranking member of the government who has not endured widespread criticism and/or investigation since the summer. There is widespread belief that she is the most likely candidate to take over the Kadima party before the next elections.But with Olmert's turning against her and pointing a finger of blame at her as well, I think that any premier career hopes she may have are about to go the way of Hillary Clinton's.

All religious differences aside, the reform movement has serious issues. It actually believes that a withdrawal right now from Iraq would benefit Israel’s security? Olmert told them point blank that it would hurt Israel, but maybe the Reform movement has better intelligence resources than the... [ visit A Jewish Blog to continue reading ]

Ehud Olmert was on television a short while ago, admitting he's unpopular yet blaming it on the media, his opponents, and on Benjamin Netanyahu.In his speech, Olmert admitted that he is not popular as a Prime Minister, but blamed that fact on the media and on his opponents. Olmert singled out Likud head Binyamin Netanyahu for attack, saying that Netanyahu takes every opportunity to criticize him.Oh, please, can it, Olmert. You're unpopular because you FAILED. In Lebanon, and even in the case of kidnapped soldier Gilad Shalit. And if you're smart, you'll simply step down from office and make everyone happy.

But that's the story with his approval ratings now: Ehud Olmert has received some of the most rock-bottom ratings of all time:(IsraelNN.com) The low levels of approval for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert have broken the national record, according to Dr. Asher Cohen of Bar Ilan University. While other Prime Ministers such as Ehud Barak and Binyamin Netanyahu have also faced public disapproval, their ratings never sunk as low as the recent three percent given to Olmert.Cohen explained that the exceptionally low ratings may be due to a larger phenomenon. Party loyalty in Israel is decreasing, he said, and Olmert’s Kadima party in particular lacks a strong voter base due to its newness and lack of an ideological platform. Voters have no history of support for Olmert or Kadima, and thus will not hesitate to abandon them when mistakes are made, according to Cohen.He's bound to descend into the depths of history as one of the most unpopular politicians of all time.

And he's about to pay for his contempt by receiving more embarrassment:(IsraelNN.com) State Comptroller and Ombudsman Micha Lindenstrauss is gearing up to publish the initial findings of his investigation into the Home Front situation during last summer’s war against Hizbullah, in spite of fierce resistance from the office of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert after he refused to appear at committee hearings.Lindenstrauss is preparing a report on the state of the home front during the war against Hizbullah, while the Winograd Commission prepares its report on the mismanagement of the war itself.Unlike Defense Minister Amir Peretz and other senior officials, Olmert did not appear in person for his questioning and asked for an extra month to prepare written responses. The report, said Knesset member Zevulun Orlev, chairman of the Knesset’s State Control Committee, had been held up more than four months “due to the Prime Minister’s failure to cooperate.”The National Union / National Re

Good afternoon. Palestinian President Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Olmert and I met today here in Jerusalem. It was a useful and productive meeting.All three of us affirmed our commitment to a two-state solution, agreed that a Palestinian state cannot be born of violence and terror, and reiterated our acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.The President and the Prime Minister discussed how to move forward on mutual obligations in the Roadmap in regard to the implementation of Phase I.We called for respecting the ceasefire declared in November.The President and the Prime Minister also discussed issues arising from the agreement for the formation of a Palestinian national unity government, and the position of the Quartet that any Palestinian Authority government must be committed to non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including regarding the Roadmap.The President and the Prime Minister discussed

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met today, February 19. It was a useful and productive meeting.The leaders affirmed their commitment to a two-state solution, agreed that a Palestinian state cannot be born of violence and terror, and reiterated their acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the Roadmap.The President and the Prime Minister discussed how to move forward on mutual obligations in the Roadmap in regard to the implementation of Phase I.The participants called for respecting the ceasefire declared in November.The President and the Prime Minister also discussed issues arising from the agreement for a Palestinian national unity government, and the position of the Quartet that any Palestinian Authority government must be committed to non-violence, recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including regarding the Roadmap.The President and th

The indecent act was forcibly kissing a female soldier working on special assignment at the Justice Ministry. From the Jerusalem Post: Six months of testimony, allegations and counter-allegations concluded Wednesday when three judges in the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court convicted former justice minister Haim Ramon of committing an indecent act against H', a 21-year-old soldier who had worked for him in the Prime Minister's Tel Aviv office. The verdict itself was unequivocal and harshly worded against the defendant. The judges found that the version of events described by plaintiff was "authentic, coherent, credible, and reliable," and that Ramon had lied and distorted the facts in order to defend himself. "We found that the defendant had not restrained himself to the truth, and had tried to make light of his act," the judges wrote. The judges in the case also said that Ramon had tried to distort the truth. "[The plaintiff] is authentic and believable," the judges wrote. "She had no in

At long last, Ehud Olmert is about to receive something that's been coming to him for some time now: an investigation into his corrupt activities: Channel 10 reported Tuesday evening that Attorney General Menachem Mazuz plans to instruct Israel Police to launch an investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert over three affairs to which he is allegedly connected. According to the report, the decision to open a criminal investigation was made during the investigation of alleged criminal conduct in the selling of Bank Leumi's majority shares. Reports said that the prime minister, along with additional parties, allegedly committed criminal bribery offenses during the sale of the bank's shares in 2005. The allegations claim that Olmert, who was Minister of Finance at the time, apparently broke the law for two of his friends -- Daniel Abrams and Frank Louie -- with whom he conducted, directly and indirectly, a relationship which allegedly involved bribe. State Comptroller Justice Mich

Ehud Olmert continues to show everybody just how stupid and incompetant he is. Whether or not Israel has nuclear weapons, what he blurted out could be as harmful to Israel as the New York Times' tippings to terrorists could be to America. Here's more from the Jerusalem Post on this latest blunder of his (via Yid with Lid). He's already taken flak from local politicians as well, and rightfully so. He needs to be replaced, and soon.

Oggi il leader di Kadima sarà a Roma. E proprio oggi dirà di no a Massimo D'Alema riguardo le forze di interposizione ONU a Gaza. Gli incontri più importanti di Olmert saranno sostanzialmente quattro oltre a quello con il Pontefice: Un incontro informale con Napolitano, altri due tra "amici" (come li definisce lui) Silvio Berlusconi e Romano Prodi ed uno "scricchiolante" con Massimo D'Alema, con

President Bush Welcomes Prime Minister Olmert of Israel to the White House, FULL STREAMING VIDEO, Oval Office. 11:45 A.M. EDT. In Focus: Global Diplomacy President George W. Bush welcomes Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to the White House for a meeting Monday, Nov. 13, 2006. White House photo by Eric Draper.PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. Prime Minister, welcome back to Washington. The Prime Minister and I had a fascinating discussion the last time he was here. We were sitting on the Truman Balcony. We spent probably an hour-and-a-half strategizing about how we can work together to achieve peace. Our conversation today continued this -- that important dialogue.I appreciate the Prime Minister's strategic thoughts. He cares deeply about his country, and he cares deeply about securing the peace. We talked about our commitment to a two-state solution. We talked about the need for a Palestinian government to embrace the principles of the Quartet and the road map, which both our governments strongly

Ehud Olmert continues to anger many ends of the Israeli spectrum, including the black Ethiopian community:Some 200 Ethiopian Israelis demonstrated in Jerusalem on Monday to protest discrimination by government agencies. Clashes with police left eleven people injured, including four police officers.The protestors, led by religious leaders from the Ethiopian community, marched from the Jerusalem Convention Center to the government compound and began a sit-in on the road at the entrance to Jerusalem.The demonstration turned ugly when police cavalry came to disperse the crowd. One mounted police officer used his horse to trample a protestor. A driver who was unable to bypass the demonstration turned and drove straight into the crowd, injuring another person. The cavalry officer was not identified and the driver was not arrested, according to the Haaretz news service.Eyewitnesses at the demonstration said neither the police officers on foot nor those mounted on horses displayed any identifi

Olmert shares Sharon's vision of a Great Israel that takes into account the demographic factor : Israel cannot remain a Jewish state if it doesn't give a piece of land back to the Palestinians*. Since Sharon didn't want to give much land, he needed to pile up as many Palestinians in as small a space as possible, even if this meant a total redifinition of borders... a tradition for this bold warrior used to touring neighbouring countries driving his tank the foot to the metal and both hands to the gun (same for political borders : creating Kadima was maybe Sharon's smartest move ever).Olmert speaks to both the Likud and Hamas radicals : no one can win it all and both parties have to give up part of their dreams. But it sounds as if the Israeli sacrifice is over (past tense) while the Palestinian's still has to start somewhen in the future (more tensions ahead)**. What theses semi-harliners dream of is a not so Eretz Israel and a political failure in Gaza so that they won't have

La oración de los viernes en la Explanada de las Mezquitas de Jerusalén degeneró en violentas protestas contra las controvertidas obras que Israel esta llevando a cabo en la zona. ¿Qué intenciones tiene Israel? provocar otra intifada... En los enfrentamientos entre policías y manifestantes unas treinta personas resultaron heridas la mayoría de forma leve, entre ellas al menos 15 eran policías y 19 manifestantes.Mañana se podría repetir la misma situación. El líder del Movimiento Islámico en Israel, el jeque Raed Salah, exhortó hoy en la ciudad de Nazaret a miles de manifestantes musulmanes a desplazarse mañana, sábado, a Jerusalén para protestar por las polémicas obras de construcción junto a la mezquita de Al Aqsa, el tercer lugar más sagrado para los musulmanes.En un multitudinario acto de protesta, Salah se dirigió al primer ministro israelí, Ehud Olmert, a quien dijo: "Estás jugando con fuego, y todo el que juega con fuego acaba quemándose". También agregó

Ehud Olmert faces more and more criticism from inside his own party:Prime Minister Ehud Olmert faced sharp criticism over the weekend from two political foes inside his Kadima Party, coalition chairman Avigdor Yitzhaki and Construction and Housing Minister Meir Sheetrit.The criticism showed that members of Olmert's party felt freer than they had in the past to speak their mind about a prime minister who had led their party to its tailspin in the polls."I understand the feelings in the public that Israel is in the midst of the worst leadership crisis since its inception," Yitzhaki said in a speech on Saturday in Beersheba. "It will take time until we succeed in bringing forth a leader whom the public could trust and support."But not with that "party", I don't think.

An amazing surprise: even Ehud Olmert's own family members are abandoning him:Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's brother plans to stop being an active member of Kadima, Ynet learned Monday. Prof. Amram Olmert is the prime minister's eldest brother. He serves as Israel's counselor in agriculture in the Israeli Embassy in Beijing.Sources in Kadima said, following the report that, "Kadima's conception has collapsed."Amram Olmert is not the only family member expected to leave the party. His son, Attorney Yair Olmert, already made the move several months ago.Alex Fernand, a Kadima member in Haifa and a former Likud member, informed Knesset Member Tzachi Hanegbi on Monday afternoon that he also plans to leave the party.Olmert is turning out to become a very lonely man, isn't he?

Israel's Channel 10 News presented an important document exposing more of Ehud Olmert's bribery and corruption career:Prime Minister Ehud Olmert faced new allegations of corruption on Wednesday evening when Channel 10 exposed a document containing 115 names of Likud Central Committee members and activists whom the prime minister allegedly helped illegally when he served as industry, trade and labor minister.Allegedly, Olmert used his position as head of the investment department - which had authority over small businesses, the employment industry, the authorization of foreign workers, the broadcasting authority, Bezek and other communications companies - for the benefit of Likud members.Among the alleged misdemeanors, Olmert supposedly helped prevent the dismissal of a Likud member from the postal service, helped another Likud activist get a job, illegally helped obtain a telephone number from a cellular phone company and arranged permits for foreign workers for two Likud members.A

:: DICK HAAS skriver idag från Jerusalem, fredagen 10 november 2006,  kl 13:25 Sju av de avlossade 24 artillerigranaterna tog livet av elva palestinska barn och åtta kvinnor, merparten av offren var medlemmar av en och samma storfamilj. Utöver dem fick 53 personer splitterskador och i många fall men för livet, många av dem också barn. Det vore välkommet om Israel fattar beslutet att under obestämd tid bannlysa artilleriet i kampen mot Hamas och Fatah och låta bägge terrororganisationerna ensamma stå för de grova och urskillningslösa angreppen mot de invånare i Israel som råkar bo inom 20 km:s radie från Gazaremsan och Västbanken. Och det är ingen ursäkt ur israelisk synvinkel att palestinierna avsiktligen söker ta livet av israeliska medborgare varje dag med hjälp av raketer som är så inexakta att de faktiskt m å s t e avlossas mot tätorter för att ha en chans att döda. 19 Palestinians killed in Beit HanounVad Olmert kan göra med det israeliska artilleriet: Hela artikeln från Dick Haas