Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., March 03, 2009 Adar 7, 5769 | | Israel Time: 10:06 (EST+7)   Back to Homepage web haaretz.com Haaretz Toolbar Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Car Rental Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File

Olmert: Corruption probe against me is none of Diaspora Jewry's business By Barak Ravid Tags: ehud olmert, israel news Prime Minister Ehud Olmert went on a rampage during yesterday's cabinet meeting, lashing out at targets as varied as tennis star Andy Ram, comedian Lior Shlein, Israeli rightists and the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute. The official topic of the meeting was the institute's annual report assessing Israel's situation and that of the Jewish people as a whole. But as institute director Avinoam Bar-Yosef was finishing his presentation of the report's main findings, Justice Minister Daniel Friedmann passed a note to Olmert drawing his attention to page 31 of the document, which stated that Israel's leadership was about to change due to "its ongoing corruption problem." The report declared that Olmert's resignation last fall constituted "a depressing climax to the parade of corruption in the senior echelons" of government and expressed hope that "out of the ruins of the Olmert government, perhaps a cleaner political culture will emerge." Olmert read this passage and erupted. "This is none of Diaspora Jewry's business and none of the Jewish People Policy Planning Institute's business," he shouted. "On what basis do you conclude this? I haven't been charged with anything yet; these are only suspicions. And former president [Moshe] Katsav" - whose case the report also cited - "has also yet to be indicted." Advertisement Olmert was further outraged by a passage declaring that Diaspora Jews viewed the Second Lebanon War as a failure. "What are you talking about?" he demanded. "I can bring military experts who will prove that the war brought us great achievements. Who appointed you? Why are you sticking your nose into these matters, and on what basis do you draw these conclusions? Why don't you tell the truth? That's what happens when you let people who hide behind curtains write a report." That remark was a reference to former institute president Prof. Yehezkel Dror, a member of the commission that investigated the Second Lebanon War, who hid behind a curtain at a public event a few weeks ago to avoid shaking Olmert's hand. However, the institute said that Dror had left his post a few months ago and was not involved in writing the report. Once having gotten started, Olmert soon moved on to other topics. He first attacked the Dubai tennis tournament, for having refused a visa to Israeli player Shahar Peer earlier this month, and then proceeded to local tennis star Andy Ram, who did receive a visa in the wake of the international outcry over Peer's exclusion and decided to use it. "I was a bit surprised to discover that Andy Ram did intend to go there," Olmert said. "It would be highly worthwhile for someone to advise him to demonstrate patriotism and solidarity and boycott the tournament." Next, Olmert lashed out at rightists who oppose a Palestinian state, implicitly blaming them for the recent worldwide surge in anti-Semitism. "The phenomenon that the enlightened international community calls the occupation - as long as this situation exists, it provides an opportunity for attacking Israel," he declared. Related articles: U.S. to offer witness in Olmert probe partial immunity over testimony given in Israel Legal official: Evidence against Olmert in appointments probe strengthens Bookmark to del.icio.us   Celebrity conversion Lindsay Lohan is said to be converting to Judaism for her DJ girlfriend. Settlement expansion Peace Now: Israel planning 73,300 new homes in the West Bank.   1.   Olmert wrong again on so many accounts 03:11  |  Ben 23/02/09   2.   corruption 03:20  |  DOV KORET 23/02/09   3.   Great play, Shakespeare 03:54  |  Chrisona 23/02/09   4.   OLmert outburst 03:59  |  Steve 23/02/09   5.   Olmert is the reason of increased anti-semityism 05:00  |  MichaelNYC 23/02/09   6.   While I`m certainly not an Olmert fan... 05:33  |  Nemesis 23/02/09   7.   If only that were true, motek 06:59  |  Jon 23/02/09   8.   Open letter 08:08  |  Daniel 23/02/09   9.   Give Olmert a Jimmy Carter award then show him to the door 08:36  |  Ilan 23/02/09   10.   Olmert: "This is none of Diaspora Jewry`s buisness..." 08:46  |  Esther 23/02/09   11.   it`s ALL in the "money", olmert!...but their optimism is "blind" 09:00  |  eric 23/02/09   12.   Unusual Cabinet?s meetings reports 09:49  |  H.H.M 23/02/09   13.   GET OUT OF OUR KNESSET YOU JACKASS 10:11  |  Jew 23/02/09   14.   #10 Esther - "Where is Talansky from...?!" BRILLIANT! 11:36  |  S 23/02/09   15.   "Just shut up, but keep sending money!" 12:58  |  samos 23/02/09   16.   I am not a crook! 14:24  |  W 23/02/09   17.   This is Why We Need Kadima Out of the Next Government 19:04  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 23/02/09   18.   Olmert is right 21:12  |  rafiq 23/02/09   19.   this is a sample of oldmert`s brainless thinking;that he can just 23:09  |  glenna 23/02/09   20.   Olmert: Corruption probe against me is none of Diaspora Jewry`s b 06:09  |  birenbad 24/02/09   21.   This imbecile led us? Scary ignorance displayed by the chief of 06:14  |  Jae 24/02/09   22.   Ironic 09:39  |  Josh 03/03/09

Read & React Durban 2 draft: Israel's Palestinian policy is a crime against humanity Responses: 105 Bradley Burston: Hillary Clinton, Gaza, and the six-state solution Responses: 31 Israel to present Clinton with 'red lines' on talks with Iran Responses: 35 'Obama offers Russia deal on Iran nukes' Responses: 7 IDF captured fewer than 200 prisoners during Gaza offensive Responses: 5 More Headlines 09:54 'Obama offers Russia deal on Iran nukes' 09:25 Israel to present Clinton with 'red lines' on talks with Iran 08:15 Yoel Marcus / Got something new, Madam Secretary? 08:53 Gaza rocket hits Ashkelon, Israel files complaint with UN 08:37 IDF captured fewer than 200 prisoners during Gaza offensive 09:50 U.S. Attorney General: Protecting our friends from terror is top priority 08:33 Olmert camp: Mazuz policy on PM charges is 'Chinese water torture' 09:27 Durban 2 draft: Israel's Palestinian policy is crime against humanity 10:00 Gunmen kill five policemen in attack on Sri Lankan cricket team in Pakistan 07:39 Barak to meet Netanyahu despite Labor Party dissent 09:31 Vatican picks Nazareth as venue for papal mass 06:13 Importers say IDF thwarting scooter sales in PA 00:40 How many Israeli companies will go belly-up in 2009? 05:07 Brother leads police to spot where he buried murdered sister 05:35 British minister renews calls for two state solution 08:14 Strokes becoming increasingly common among young Israelis Previous Editions Select Day 02 mar 01 mar 27 feb 26 feb 25 feb 24 feb 23 feb 22 feb 20 feb 19 feb 18 feb 17 feb

Special Offers Advertisement Spring Specials-Dan Hotels Jerusalem from 179$. Tel-Aviv from 223$. Herzliya from 336$ Dead Sea Skin Care Quality cosmetics from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 12% off! Summer in Israel Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009 Passover Vacations The BEST Passover Vacations around ? Mexico, Arizona and Florida Camp Kimama Israel 2009 The best place for your children this summer Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations Jewish Singles Personal Ads Find the love of your life on JDate.com Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | | Israel 2009 election results

Site rules | Makom: Engaging on Israel | Search engine marketing

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved