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ANALYSIS / Police move won't hasten Olmert's departure By Yossi Verter, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Ehud Olmert, Israel, Police  In a carefully orchestrated and not-at-all surprising manner, the main evening news broadcasts opened Sunday night with an announcement of something we had all expected: The police have recommended indicting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for his involvement in the Talansky and Rishon Tours affairs. Although the police made their decision in the afternoon, somehow the news broke at precisely 8 P.M. An investigation that was started by the press reached its climax on television - where else? Anyone who did not see this coming the day Attorney General Menachem Mazuz himself appeared in court, wearing his robes and carrying his files, is either naive, asinine or an alien. Sunday, the suspect Olmert launched an offensive during the cabinet meeting to divert some attention from the headlines concerning the police's expected recommendations. He assailed Defense Minister Ehud Barak, accusing him of a variety of charges that bordered on betraying the homeland. This surprised everyone so much that they realized that the only explanation for the outburst was that it was supposed to steal some of the limelight from the other news that evening. Indeed, Olmert's plan succeeded - in part. Advertisement Now in the twilight of his tenure, all that's left is to bicker. So much has been written about the hatred that the deposed person feels toward his deposers, about the hatred between the two Ehuds, that there's nothing new left to write. These two and their hissing attacks at each other will be with us for a long time, like two wild cats. We just have to pray that Israel does not have to undergo an existential security test while these two are jointly running the country. This government's death throes are indeed ugly. But at least we are not in danger. The government meeting room on the third floor of the Prime Minister's Office has seen some wild spectacles and harsh exchanges in its day, but never such extremes of mutual hatred and ruthless backstabbing. The Olmert-Barak-Haim Ramon trio has made the cabinet roil with violent rhetoric. They resemble a soccer team on the verge of inevitable relegation: In the final moments, the coach tells the players to just relax and enjoy themselves. In political maneuvering Olmert always beats Barak. It isn't even really a fair match. Again Olmert raised a majority to approve the bill proposed by Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann concerning the definition of the judiciary's role, in regard to the Basic Law. It is doubtful the bill will become legislation as it has a long way to go, and the identity of the prime minister is likely to change. Both leading candidates for that position - Kadima's Tzipi Livni and Shaul Mofaz - voted against the proposed legislation Sunday. In fact, the Knesset may be dispersed before it can be passed. One must bear in mind that the police's recommendation in itself is not a big deal. Many police recommendations to indict prime ministers have been thrown into the trash can of history, and it may still be a long time until an indictment is submitted. Before that occurs, the attorney general needs to hold a hearing, and after the delays in the indictment of former president Moshe Katsav for sexual offenses - who knows how long this case will drag out? In any case, Olmert is a dead horse. Occasionally, he still kicks, but his kicks are weak. Olmert will fight for his name to be cleared as a civilian. Anyone who thought that a police recommendation would hasten his departure - perhaps in the form of taking a leave of absence - was proved wrong Sunday night, when his bureau stated that such a recommendation had no legal standing. And so Olmert is still with us, until the new coalition is formed or general elections are held. Related articles: The police announcement / Olmert should go home and hide his face in shame The Kadima circus Talansky to Haaretz: Olmert most astute politician I've met Bookmark to del.icio.us   Interfaith grandchildren A new group is helping U.S. seniors teach their interfaith grandkids Jewish traditions. Iranian war games Iran army to hold three-day drill amid speculation over Israeli strike.   1.   now we shall see 08:54  |  sam 08/09/08   2.   Olmert is here to stay 09:19  |  Isratinian 08/09/08   3.   all tarred with the same dirty brush 09:25  |  michael cohen 08/09/08   4.   If There Proof Indict if Not than Let US Move on! 10:36  |  Baruch Gold 08/09/08   5.   When the right One comes with enough courage 11:24  |  The Truthful one 08/09/08   6.   JUST GO ALREADY!!!! 13:26  |  Ben Yeppi 08/09/08   7.   kadima - a phoney left-wing party (hardly centerist) 14:40  |  Avi 08/09/08   8.   PROTEST: Take Your Garbage Bags to Kadima Offices - THEY STINK! 14:43  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 08/09/08   9.   Olmert a `Dead Horse` or a `lame duck`... 17:21  |  Dagma 08/09/08

Read & React Muslim immigrants attack three Jewish teens in Paris Responses: 130 Al Qaida No. 2: Iran waging 'crusader' war against Islam Responses: 54 Police: Indict Olmert's former partner too Responses: 58 Gideon Levy: Shin Bet operatives are no better than other students Responses: 32 Moshe Arens: Likud must say it won't give up Golan Responses: 53 More Headlines 22:13 Russia: Preparation for launch of Iran nuclear plant in final stage 22:44 Three people hurt in suspected mob hit in Netanya 15:05 Police: Indict Olmert's former business partner too 19:47 Al Qaida No. 2: Iran waging 'crusader' war against Islam 01:42 Security sources: Israel preparing for Hezbollah terror attack in Israel, overseas 23:03 Group offers Jews $50,000 to move to U.S. Bible Belt town 23:57 Livni: Kadima failed, but we'll rectify our mistakes 00:59 Neo-Nazi youth asks court to extend jail term so he can serve in IDF 01:40 Israel's first female ambassador submits credentials to UN 21:34 Joint Israeli-Palestinian industrial park to be built in north 20:06 14 Greenpeace activists arrested at Ashkelon power plant 15:39 Jewish World / Meet Michelle Obama's cousin the rabbi 22:32 Holocaust Claims Conference: We're running out of money 20:59 Olmert to olim: You've come to the most wonderful country in the world Previous Editions Select Day 08 sep 07 sep 05 sep 04 sep 03 sep 02 sep 01 sep 31 aug 29 aug 28 aug 27 aug 26 aug

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