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Forza Israele (Marco Travaglio)
"L’altra sera, in quella parodia di telegiornale che si fa chiamare Tg1, il ridanciano Attilio Romita annunciava giulivo come quarta notizia del giorno che “prende sempre più piede la moda dell’aperitivo in spiaggia… e allora cin-cin in riva al mare!”.
In compenso, a una settimana di distanza, si attende ancora un servizio che metta a confronto Italia e Israele in relazione a una straordinaria coincidenza (entrambe le democrazie hanno il premier sott’accusa per corruzione) e a un’altrettanto straordinaria differenza: in Israele salta il premier sotto processo, in Italia saltano i processi al premier. ..."
Link all'articolo: http://www.voglioscendere.ilcannocchiale.it/post/199021... "L’altra sera, in quella parodia di telegiornale che si fa chiamare Tg1, il ridanciano Attilio Romita annunciava giulivo come qua... more -
Olmert will resign as Israel's Prime Minister after Kadima primary
Prime Minister Ehud Olmert intends to hand his resignation letter to President Shimon Peres the day after the September 17 Kadima primary and ask him to entrust the new party leader with forming a new government, Olmert's associates said Wednesday night.
Olmert leaves the podium upon concluding his statement, Wednesday.
Photo: Alex Kolomoisky
Slideshow: Pictures of the week They spoke soon after the prime minister had made a somber speech at his official residence in Jerusalem in which he announced that he would not seek to retain the leadership.
By law, Olmert will remain prime minister until a new government is formed. If the new Kadima leader forms a government soon after the primary, Olmert will then leave office. But if no new government is established, Olmert, despite having formally tendered his resignation, could remain prime minister until after a general election that would likely be held in spring 2009.
Olmert decided 10 days ago to announce his imminent departure on Wednesday - to coincide with the last day of the Knesset's summer session and the Kadima election committee's formal decision to set the September 17 date for the primary.
"He didn't want to humiliate himself by waiting until the last minute as some people thought he would," an Olmert associate said. "He is the most realistic person in the world. He didn't want to look like he cared only about himself by staying as long as possible. He decided he wanted to play the responsible adult."
The Jerusalem Post reported exclusively in its lead story Wednesday that Olmert would decide his political future "very soon."
In his 8 p.m. speech, broadcast live here and abroad, a defiant and almost tearful Olmert lashed out at Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and other adversaries without naming them and vowed to keep the peace process with the Palestinians and Syria moving forward until he left office. He referred bitterly to his opponents as "self-styled fighters for justice."
"As a citizen in a democratic state, I have always believed that when a person is elected prime minister in Israel, even those who opposed him in the ballot box would want him to succeed," Olmert said. "But instead of enjoying this basic level of faith, I found myself, immediately upon being elected, subjected to a wave of investigations, probes and criticism. Almost from my first day in the Prime Minister's Office, I was forced to repel personal attacks, even as I was busy making fateful decisions regarding Israel's security and existence."
Olmert recounted the successes of his premiership and insisted that his personal work had not been harmed by the investigations against him, but lamented that his adversaries had gotten in his way.
"At the same time, I was forced to defend myself against relentless attacks by self-styled fighters for justice who sought to oust me from my job and saw all means as justifying of that end," he said.
"Things have gone out of all reasonable proportion. Have I made mistakes over the many years of my activities? I certainly have! And I regret them, and I am sorry," he said. "But does the picture presented to the public fairly reflect the reality? Absolutely not!"
Olmert said he was proud to be a part of a nation in which a prime minister could be investigated like any other citizen. He agreed that the prime minister was not above the law, but said he was also not below it.
"To my profound sorrow... correct procedure does not take place in [our country]." he said. "Maybe I today, in my personal decision, have opened a portal to a more appropriate reality." Prime Minister Ehud Olmert intends to hand his resignation letter to President Shimon Peres the day after the September 17 Kadima prim... more -
Israeli Prime Minister resigns after corruption accusations
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, tonight announced that he will step down, throwing the country into political uncertainty, reports the Guardian.
He said he would step down after his ruling Kadima party chooses a new leader on September 17.
In a surprise announcement from his official residence in Jerusalem he said: "I have decided I won't run in the Kadima movement primaries, nor do I intend to intervene in the elections. When a new (Kadima party) chairman is chosen, I will resign as prime minister to permit them to put together a new government swiftly and effectively."
The declaration from Olmert, who has been accused of corruption, clears the way for rivals to form a new government.
He is suspected of taking bribes from an American businessman, and submitting duplicate claims for travel expenses in a former capacity as trade minister and mayor of Jerusalem.
Olmert has denied any wrongdoing, but has said he would resign if indicted, and has seen his political ratings sink, following criticism of the way he handled the war against Hizbullah in Lebanon in 2006.
Is it high time he resigned or has he caused even greater political instability? What do you think is next for Israel's political climate? The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, tonight announced that he will step down, throwing the country into political uncertainty, re... more -
Olmert Resigns
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, tonight announced that he will step down, throwing the country into political uncertainty.
He said he would step down after his ruling Kadima party chooses a new leader on September 17.
In a surprise announcement from his official residence in Jerusalem he said: "I have decided I won't run in the Kadima movement primaries, nor do I intend to intervene in the elections. When a new (Kadima party) chairman is chosen, I will resign as prime minister to permit them to put together a new government swiftly and effectively."
The declaration from Olmert, who has been accused of corruption, clears the way for rivals to form a new government.
Several Kadima ministers, including the foreign minister, Tzipi Livni, have already thrown themselves into the succession battle.
* * * * *
More at link.
Hopefully, Benyamin Netanyahu will not succeed him, for he is a very, very dangerous man who lusts for war and bloodshed. The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Olmert, tonight announced that he will step down, throwing the country into political uncertainty. ... more -
Olmert: No Jerusalem deal with Palestinians in 2008
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told parliament on Monday Israel and Palestinians could agree this year on borders and refugees but said a full deal settling claims to Jerusalem was not a "viable possibility," aides said.
U.S. President George W. Bush had urged both sides to sign a "peace treaty" before he leaves office in January.
But Olmert said Jerusalem was too contentious an issue to be resolved this year and that Israel and the Palestinians should instead agree on a "mechanism" to tackle it in 2009.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said Olmert's comments showed "Israel's determination to destroy the negotiations and the peace process."
Olmert, who earlier this month said Israel and the Palestinians had never been so close to an agreement, has been talking up peace prospects as he clings to office in the face of a police investigation that could force him to step down.
Officials said Olmert envisages agreeing a joint document this year with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas that sets out borders for a future Palestinian state, security arrangements and a way to deal with millions of Palestinian refugees. But Jerusalem would be left out, they said.
"I do not see a viable possibility of reaching understandings on the issue of Jerusalem in the stated timeframe," Olmert was quoted by an official as telling an Israeli parliamentary committee.
"On the other three issues, I estimate that it would be possible to reach understandings by the end of the year, including the refugee issue," Olmert said, describing the gaps on borders, refugees and security as "not insurmountable."
Continued story at the link. JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told parliament on Monday Israel and Palestinians could agree this year on borders an... more -
Israeli P.M. Says Peace Deal Unlikely This Year
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he doesn't believe a peace accord can be reached with the Palestinians in 2008.
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Bush Backs Israel Strike Plans on Iran
The Sunday Times of London reported this weekend that "President George W. Bush has told the Israeli government that he may be prepared to approve a future military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities if negotiations with Tehran break down." The Times report quoted a senior Pentagon official as its source.
With increased resistance from the Pentagon and the November elections closing in, the White House may be choosing its next best option in dealing with Tehran: to have Israel launch strikes on Iran's nuclear weapons facilities.
The paper said Bush has told Israel it has an "amber light" to proceed.
“Amber means get on with your preparations, stand by for immediate attack and tell us when you’re ready,” the paper quoted a U.S. official as saying.
Military experts are not sure that Israel's military forces can do the job. Iran has dispersed its nuclear program sites around the country, and some weapons facilities are said to be deep within the earth. The U.S. has special bunker-busting bombs that could destroy such underground laboratories, but Israel does not.
Iran has made clear it will retaliate against Israel and the U.S. if either nation attacks it. Last week, Iran's military demonstrated its reach by firing nine long- and medium-range missiles -- including the modified Shahab-3 ballistic missile, which can easily strike Israel from western Iran.
Political factors may be playing a role in strike plans for both Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
Bush is in lame-duck status, and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama, the front-runner to win the presidency in November, says he favors the use of diplomacy over force when dealing with Iran.
Olmert is facing a political crisis as corruption charges threaten his hold on office. Some Israeli political analysts say Olmert may order an attack on Iran to bolster his political standing in Jerusalem.
The Times cited one of Olmert's closest friends as quoting the prime minister: "In three months’ time it will be a different Middle East.” The Sunday Times of London reported this weekend that "President George W. Bush has told the Israeli government that he may be pr... more -
Corrupt Israeli Prime Minister falls deeper into scandal
The Israei Prime Minister is enduring some hard times with the rise and expansion of his corruption scandal. Here is the text from the article:
"JERUSALEM (AFP) — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was under fire from the media on Sunday over fresh corruption allegations, with commentators saying the embattled premier's political career was all but over.
"Ehud Olmert is finished. Politicians, the leaders he will meet today in Paris, the prosecutor and the police, all of them know this. The only one who wants to ignore it is Olmert," wrote Nahum Barnea, a columnist for the mass-selling Yediot Aharonot newspaper.
Police suspect that on at least 12 occasions when Olmert was Jerusalem mayor or trade and industry minister he submitted multiple invoices to different organisations for the same trip, pocketing about 110,000 dollars (60,000 euros) in reimbursements, Yediot Aharonot reported.
Olmert, already the subject of four pending investigations, is accused of using the ill-gotten gains from speaking tours to finance private trips for himself and his family.
"Ehud Olmert needs to give up. Enough. This has already gone out of all bounds," Ben Caspit wrote on the front page of the Maariv newspaper. "This country needs a real government, not a shadow one."
The speaking tours were allegedly funded by several private organisations, including foundations for physically and mentally disabled children, the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, and the American Friends of the IDF (Israeli army).
"Olmert made an illegal profit by speaking about Holocaust survivors, wounded kids, and soldiers." wrote Amir Oren, a columnist for the left-leaning Haaretz newspaper.
"To his friends, Olmert is a frequent flyer, but to the police he's just a frequent liar," he added.
Olmert's own children have sought to distance themselves from the charges against their father. His two sons and two daughters released a joint statement to local media saying they knew nothing about the allegations.
"We want to make it unequivocally clear that we were specifically told that the plane tickets given to us were a gift from our father and were privately financed by him," the statement said, according to the Ynet news service.
The new claims surfaced on Friday after police questioned Olmert, 62, for the third time since May.
He is also accused of illegally receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash-stuffed envelopes from US millionaire financier Morris Talansky before he became prime minister in 2006.
Olmert, who took office in January 2006, has denied all the allegations and on Saturday night lashed out at investigators before heading to an international summit in Paris.
"I was shocked by the distorted reports on behalf of law enforcement entities. The only result will be the weakening of the public trust in law enforcement bodies," Olmert told reporters.
An aide to Olmert and key witness in the case insisted on Saturday that he had "never stolen a shekel," according to local media.
"The prime minister is neither a thief nor an imposter. He has never stolen a shekel or used public funds for family expenses," said Rachael Risby Raz, who organised Olmert's travels while he was trade and industry minister.
Since the Talansky affair broke in May Olmert has lost much of his support from his Labour coalition allies and even from within the ranks of his own centrist Kadima party, which has agreed to hold a leadership vote in September.
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni is viewed as the front-runner in the party election, but both Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter are also jockeying for the top job.
It remains unclear whether Olmert himself will seek to run again."
For updates on the scandal this is another decent article:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/2008/07/11/a-new-tw... The Israei Prime Minister is enduring some hard times with the rise and expansion of his corruption scandal. Here is the text from the... more -
Impending naval blockade against Iran?
Congress has gone mad for sure. This resolution of a naval blockade against Iran could be considered an act of war.
Hello Americans. Call your congressman and tell them you don't want another war! Congress has gone mad for sure. This resolution of a naval blockade against Iran could be considered an act of war. ... more -
Gunshot starts panic as Sarkozy leaves Israel
Bodyguards rushed Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, and the visiting French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, to safety yesterday after an Israeli police officer shot himself in the head during a departure ceremony at Tel Aviv airport. Bodyguards rushed Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, and the visiting French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, to safety yesterday a... more
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Israeli Deputy Prime Minister criticised over Iran threat
A key defence official has accused one of Israel's deputy prime ministers of threatening to attack Iran in order to boost his own political standing.
On Friday Shaul Mofaz said military strikes to stop Iran developing nuclear weapons looked "unavoidable".
Deputy Defence Minister Matan Vilnai said Mr Mofaz was using the issue to position himself to challenge Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's leadership.
Mr Mofaz's comments were partly blamed for a record oil price surge.
Mr Vilnai told Israel Radio Mr Mofaz's comments were linked to a likely leadership contest in Mr Olmert's Kadima party, if the prime minister is forced to step down over corruption allegations.
Olmert denies taking $500,000 in bribes or illegal campaign donations. He has not been charged, but says he would resign if indicted. A key defence official has accused one of Israel's deputy prime ministers of threatening to attack Iran in order to boost his own... more -
Israeli warning: Iran's nuclear programme must be stopped by "all possib...
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said Iran's nuclear programme must be stopped by "all possible means". Speaking during a visit to Washington, he said Tehran must be made to see it would suffer devastating repercussions if it pursued atomic weapons.
The US and others have accused Iran of building a nuclear arms capability. Tehran says its programme is peaceful.
"The Iranian threat must be stopped by all possible means," Mr Olmert said in his speech before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee - a lobby group.
"The international community has a duty and responsibility to clarify to Iran, through drastic measures, that the repercussions of their continued pursuit of nuclear weapons will be devastating," he added. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has said Iran's nuclear programme must be stopped by "all possible means". Speaking... more -
Israel plans more settler homes
The Israeli government has announced plans to build nearly 900 new housing units in a part of East Jerusalem that is considered occupied territory.
The Israeli government insists that any final peace deal will see these districts redrawn inside the Israeli border.
The contentious move comes amid the ongoing political battle swirling around Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is accused of corruption. In addition to Mr Barak's call for him to step aside, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said that the Kadima Party, to which both she and Mr Olmert belong, should hold new leadership elections.
In March, Israel announced plans to build 600 homes in East Jerusalem as part of the Jerusalem mayor's initiative to construct 40,000 homes in the city to ease the housing plight of young couples.
At the time, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice -- who was in the region to shore up support for the peace initiative -- said Israel should stop all settlement activity.
Largely at the request of the United States, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert froze construction in both Har Homa and Pisgat Zeev, the Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported.
The newspaper said Israel issued a tender last year for the construction of 300 housing units in Har Homa, sparking harsh international criticism. The Israeli government has announced plans to build nearly 900 new housing units in a part of East Jerusalem that is considered occupi... more -
Livni: Rising star of Israel's troubled political establishment
Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who on Thursday challenged the Kadima party leadership of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, under investigation for alleged corruption, is seen as as rising political star and a contender to be its second woman leader.
The 49-year-old lawyer, who defied her staunch nationalist background to become the number two in government and in the centrist Kadima, is today the most popular member of government.
She is seen as the strongest candidate to succeed Olmert as Kadima's head and enjoys high public approval ratings, though she still trails right-wing Likud party chief Benjamin Netanyahu in polls as a potential premier.
Today Livni heads the peace negotiations with the Palestinians, launched late last year in a US conference, but which have since made little visible progress.
She has met frequently with her US counterpart, Condoleezza Rice, on improving conditions for Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, where she is committed to the creation of a Palestinian state but also ensuring Israel's security and fight against terror.
"The creation of a Palestinian state, of a Palestinian economy, is clearly in Israel's interests, and we share the Palestinians' desire, just as cracking down on terror is a Palestinian interest," Livni said, while attending a donors conference for the Palestinians in Paris in December.
In April she took the rarely available opportunity of visiting an Arab country, attending a democracy forum in Qatar, where she lobbied for support against Iran's nuclear drive and urged Arab states to forge ties with Israel. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who on Thursday challenged the Kadima party leadership of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, under inve... more -
Ehud Olmert took thousands of dollars, US businessman tells court
A US businessman at the centre of a high-profile corruption investigation told an Israeli court yesterday he gave thousands of dollars to Israel's prime minister, Ehud Olmert, in envelopes stuffed with cash, some of which he claims was spent on expensive hotels, holidays and cigars.
Morris Talansky, a long-time supporter and friend of Olmert, said he gave at least $150,000 (£75,000) over 15 years, including the years when Olmert was a government minister and mayor of Jerusalem. There are no records of how the money was spent and Talansky admitted he was "disturbed" when Olmert specifically asked for cash rather than cheques A US businessman at the centre of a high-profile corruption investigation told an Israeli court yesterday he gave thousands of dollars... more -
Saudi-Israeli Plot Against Hezbollah
Former Saudi Ambassador to the US Prince Bandar bin Sultan asks Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert to move against Hezbollah.
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Police seize more Olmert papers
Israeli police have raided the Ministry of Industry and Trade as a corruption investigation into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert continues, official radio says.
The raid follows one on Jerusalem's city hall on Monday.
He is suspected of accepting bribes from a American Jewish businessman during his time as Jerusalem mayor and later as a minister.
He has admitted accepting election campaign donations from Morris Talansky but said he took no money for himself.
Police have now seized documents from Mr Olmert's time as both mayor of Jerusalem and minister of industry and trade.
Mr Olmert is already being investigated in several other corruption scandals.
Police questioned Mr Talansky on Monday and have asked him to remain in Israel until later in the month.
Morris "Moshe" Talansky - a New York-based financier - is said to have given hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash to Mr Olmert at a series of meetings in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Mr Olmert said Mr Talansky had helped him raise funds for election campaigns but he insisted everything had been legal.
Mr Talansky has also said all his actions on behalf of Mr Olmert were legal.
Mr Olmert became prime minister in 2006 after being minister for industry and trade from 2003-2006 and mayor of Jerusalem from 1993-2003.
Resignation calls
The accusations have cast doubt on Mr Olmert's ability to negotiate with the Palestinians and there have been growing calls for his resignation.
Mr Olmert has said he would only resign if prosecutors filed criminal charges. Israeli police have raided the Ministry of Industry and Trade as a corruption investigation into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert continues,... more -
Cheney to meet Abbas in bid to revive peace efforts
US Vice President Dick Cheney is set to meet in the West Bank Sunday with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and prime minister Salam Fayyad as part of an Easter weekend bid to revive peace efforts.
Cheney, who met with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Saturday, promised an "unshakeable" defense of Israel's security whilst assuring Palestinians of US "goodwill", as he renewed efforts to secure a peace deal before US President George W. Bush's term ends in January 2009. US Vice President Dick Cheney is set to meet in the West Bank Sunday with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and prime minister Salam... more -
Israel pulls troops from Gaza
The Israeli army is withdrawing its troops from the Gaza Strip as military operations there are 'winding down'. This comes after almost a week of intense Israeli assaults on the territory which killed more than 100 people. Hamas has called this welcomed withdrawal a 'victory' for Palestine, and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas, has suspended all contact with Israel over the attacks.
This spate of violence prompted international outcry, and was condemned by EU officials and the UN. The Israeli army is withdrawing its troops from the Gaza Strip as military operations there are 'winding down'. This comes a... more -
U.N Chief condemns Israeli violence
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned Israel for using "excessive" force in the Gaza Strip and demanded a halt to its offensive after troops killed 61 people on the bloodiest day for Palestinians since the 1980s.
Since Wednesday more than 90 Palestinians have died as a result of air strikes and ground incursions in Gaza, making this the most violent and volatile time since the intifada in 2000. Ban Ki-moon was speaking at an emergency security council in New York to address the four days of fighting where he said,
"While recognizing Israel's right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children ... I call on Israel to cease such attacks...I condemn Palestinian rocket attacks and call for the immediate cessation of such acts of terrorism."
The Palestinian rocket attacks have killed three Israeli's in the past year, the rockets are launched from inside the Gaza strip.
Watch a reuters news report on the violence here:
http://www.reuters.com/news/video?videoId=77231&vid...
Read Journalist_pal's reports on the violence here:
http://current.com/people/journalist_pal U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon condemned Israel for using "excessive" force in the Gaza Strip and demanded a halt to its... more
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Ehud Olmert
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Ehud Olmert
