«--Previous Post | Blog Index | Next Post--»
Happy 60th. Sorry About That Indictment.
Talk about awkward timing. Next week, President Bush heads to Israel to mark that country's sixtieth anniversary celebrations. But as Israeli media have reported this week, a rapidly moving corruption investigation has put the political future of Bush's chief interlocutor there, Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert, in jeopardy.
Israeli media are subject to a sweeping court gag order inhibiting them from reporting details of the investigation. But today, the New York Post reported that a New York financier, Morris Talansky, with residences in Long Island and an apartment in Jerusalem, is central to the investigation of whether Olmert took bribes when he served as mayor of Jerusalem:
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 was mayor of Jerusalem in the '90s, sources said.
In a highly unusual move, Israeli authorities have barred the country's media from publishing Talansky's name - revealed now in The Post - saying it could hamper their investigation. Israeli media has referred only to the involvement of an "American businessman."
Talansky is apparently set to sing to Israeli authorities about his alleged role in the scheme, sources said. ...
The 75-year-old was earlier questioned about the alleged scheme almost immediately after arriving in the country for Passover, and he implicated Olmert, sources have said.
It was unclear what the alleged payments to Olmert were for, but sources said they involved hefty amounts of cash.
Talansky repeatedly appears - sometimes under the nickname "The Laundry Man" - in the logs of financial dealings kept by Olmert's longtime aide, Shula Zakan, a source said.
Olmert was grilled by investigators Friday. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. ...
Fevered speculation aside, Olmert could very well come out of the whole thing ultimately unscathed. Israeli political life has a kind of Italian drama and turmoil to it, and yet key players seem to have a decades long persistence. Stay tuned.
Comments
Not surprising when you consider that Israel is an outlaw state according to the EU. STRASBOURG - European Union lawmakers urged Israel not to inflict "collective punishment" on Gaza's population, saying its isolation of the territory had failed and its actions were endangering civilians.
They urged Israel to lift a blockade which has cut supplies to the 1.5 million people in Gaza, run by the Islamist group Hamas, and let in aid and essential goods and services.
"The policy of isolation of the Gaza strip has failed at both the political and humanitarian level," the European Parliament said in an adopted resolution.
"The civilian population should be exempt from any military action and any collective punishment." "The European Parliament calls on Israel to cease military actions killing and endangering civilians, and extrajudicial targeted killings," The resolution said.
Horst:
This was an article about alleged financial pay-offs of Omert when he was a mayor and may have provided zoning or other improper influence. Since Christopher Christie was appointed U.S. Attorney of New Jersey by GW Bush, about 55 various politicians have been convicted of similar offenses for as little as $1,500.00 in bribes.
Everyone is well aware of the EU's objection to the security wall and other security measures routinely taken by Israel. The fact remains that no country in the EU has had thousands of anti-civilian rockets fired into its civilian neighborhoods since Jan 1, 2008. It is simply NOT their business. They have NO legislative authority under international law. They DO however, have a dependance on Mid East oil.
No different then a 'junkie' testifying against someone (he never met), in order to stay out of jail. Its the only crime older then prostitution: 'Salvation of one's own ass'.
Posted by: Trollstein on 05/06/08 at 6:49 PM Respond
"Fevered speculation aside, Olmert could very well come out of the whole thing ultimately unscathed. Israeli political life has a kind of Italian drama and turmoil to it, and yet key players seem to have a decades long persistence. Stay tuned."
-- If you think that, you don't have anything worth "staying tuned" to.
Posted by: Rowan Berkeley on 05/06/08 at 7:11 PM Respond
The people of Israel is going to mark its 60th Independence day forced to dig for information on foreign websites. Disgrace.
Posted by: Gillie on 05/07/08 at 5:57 AM Respond
Israel promotes NOT a vision of a inclusive "multi-cultural," "multi-ethnic" society (like we do in America) for Israel, but instead a racist exclusionary "Jewish state." It is racist because a Jew is defined as coming from a Jewish mother(genes). That state is openly dedicated to the advancement of the Jewish religion, culture, and even the genetic preservation of the Jewish people. Israel uses racial profiling. Israel values Judaism above other religions. Israel should seek to be welcoming and inclusive and respect all religions, or even those with no religion.
Israeli ethnocentric, chauvinism and xenophobic values are just too extreme. Israel does not share American values and let us therefore not share American taxpayer money with them. Israel needs to advance to the 21st century in its values. The days of racism should be a thing of the past. Israeli society is where America's society was 100 years ago. Israel can do better. Let us have that as our goal to advance Israel to the 21st century in the field of civil rights.
Posted by: Prof Wadsworth on 05/07/08 at 10:47 AM Respond
ARCHIVE
April 20, 2008 - April 26, 2008
April 13, 2008 - April 19, 2008
April 6, 2008 - April 12, 2008
March 30, 2008 - April 5, 2008
March 23, 2008 - March 29, 2008
March 16, 2008 - March 22, 2008
March 9, 2008 - March 15, 2008
February 24, 2008 - March 1, 2008
February 17, 2008 - February 23, 2008
February 10, 2008 - February 16, 2008
February 3, 2008 - February 9, 2008
January 27, 2008 - February 2, 2008
January 20, 2008 - January 26, 2008
January 13, 2008 - January 19, 2008
January 6, 2008 - January 12, 2008
December 30, 2007 - January 5, 2008
December 23, 2007 - December 29, 2007
December 16, 2007 - December 22, 2007
December 9, 2007 - December 15, 2007
December 2, 2007 - December 8, 2007
November 25, 2007 - December 1, 2007
November 18, 2007 - November 24, 2007
November 11, 2007 - November 17, 2007
November 4, 2007 - November 10, 2007
October 28, 2007 - November 3, 2007
October 21, 2007 - October 27, 2007
October 14, 2007 - October 20, 2007
October 7, 2007 - October 13, 2007
September 30, 2007 - October 6, 2007
September 23, 2007 - September 29, 2007
September 16, 2007 - September 22, 2007
September 9, 2007 - September 15, 2007
RECENT COMMENTS
Happy 60th. Sorry About That Indictment. (5)
Prof Wadsworth wrote:
Israel promotes NOT a vision of a inclusive "multi-cultura...
[more]
Clinton: Damn the Pundits, Full Speed Ahead (3)
Al Martinez wrote:
I heard one theory that she'd wait for her victories in Ke...
[more]
Would Seating Michigan and Florida Change the Race? (2)
Egalitare wrote:
Back in late April, Sen. Carl Levin, UAW President Gettelf...
[more]
With the Media Seemingly Decided, Clinton Faces Three Options (9)
kirkbrew wrote:
Kathy – Since you may not have been paying attention to th...
[more]
The Clinton War on Economists Continues (6)
eh wrote:
Hillary has to pinch every penny... because she and Bill o...
[more]
Clinton Continuing On... For Now (11)
sdd wrote:
"harridan", "narcissist" "meglonarcissist" "abundantly dis...
[more]
Awkward Sports Metaphor of the Day (7)
Chris wrote:
"We're going to knock balls out of the country's park for ...
[more]
White House Admits It Is Missing Email Backup Tapes From Start of Iraq War (2)
dubl wrote:
except GWB doesn't use email specifically for this reason....
[more]
Know Your Enemy: Heather Mac Donald (14)
Frank wrote:
Macdonald is a joke...
[more]
Syriana (the Rendon Group Edition) (2)
Rowan Berkeley wrote:
I hope you get some real dough for pumping out this propag...
[more]
Movable Type 3.33


Posted by: Horst on 05/06/08 at 4:33 PM Respond