Subscribe to Print Edition | Thu., January 03, 2008 Tevet 25, 5768 | | Israel Time: 06:52 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Magazine

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert conversing with comedian Eli Yatzpan in Jeruslaem. (Avi Ohayon) Last update - 02:31 02/01/2008 Olmert trades quips with Israeli comedian in television interview By The Associated Press Tags: comedian, interview, Olmert  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert traded quips with an Israeli comedian in a TV interview broadcast late Tuesday, also saying that U.S. President George W. Bush likes to walk outside during their meetings. Bush is scheduled to visit next week, and Olmert said it would not be his last trip here. "He'll come again," Olmert told the comedian, Eli Yatzpan, who has a weekly program on Israel's Channel 2 TV. On his visits to the U.S. to meet Bush, Olmert said, "Sometimes when I'm there, he says in the middle, 'let's go outside.'" Olmert appeared relaxed in his session with Yatzpan, known for one-liners and impersonations. Yatzpan recalled that in 2001, Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak took offense at one of his sketches, and Olmert said he settled the matter with Mubarak. Advertisement "You can go to Egypt, you won't have any problem getting in," Olmert told the comedian, adding with a smile, "I don't know if you'll get out." Yatzpan asked if Olmert's wife interferes in his work, noting that his wife would like to replace him on TV. Olmert replied that he listens carefully to the advice of his wife of 38 years, "but she doesn't want to replace me for even a minute." He added, "In your case, though, that might be a good idea." Asked about threats by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, Olmert quipped, "I'm checking reports that he has something against you personally." In a more serious tone, he said, "Israel has the power to protect itself and its citizens," adding, "I wish I could share with our citizens everything that I know." Olmert rejected a suggestion that in response to the daily rocket fire by Palestinian militants at Israeli towns outside Gaza, Israel should fire rockets at Gaza towns. Blaming the Islamic Hamas rulers of Gaza for the rocket fire, Olmert said, "They are a terror group that all the world recognizes as such. We are not a terror organization." Olmert was diagnosed several weeks ago with prostate cancer but has not scheduled an operation. He told Yatzpan, "I don't have time to take care of personal and health matters." Related articles: Police question PM's associate Messer in corruption probe State: Leumi-Olmert file still open AG opposes moves to postpone criminal probes against Olmert Bookmark to del.icio.us   Muslims study Holocaust For Dutch educators, Islamophobia can be a teaching aid for Holocaust studies. White House race Edwards is the angry candidate; Obama prefers conciliation.   1.   Clown 01:00  |  Henry 02/01/08   2.   Misleading headline 04:24  |  Mark Lincoln 02/01/08   3.   Priority:Olmert should let Yatzpan sit in his meetings with Bush. 04:52  |  avigdor 02/01/08   4.   Listen`s to his wife the EU Agent 05:16  |  Sam Weinstein 02/01/08   5.   Olmert hints of work to do helping Bush in "let`s go outside" 06:05  |  avigdor 02/01/08   6.   Olmert should do the operation. 09:47  |  S 02/01/08   7.   Olmert should flashback for a moment that Jerusalem needs him 06:38  |  avigdor 03/01/08

Today Online No moving Jewish lips in prayer on Temple Mount, says Dichter Responses: 240 IAF strike wounds senior PRC militant in Gaza Strip Responses: 288 Court rules to evict 8 Jewish families from E. Jerusalem house Responses: 70 Uzi Benziman: Sooner or later, Olmert will have to quit Responses: 61 Hamas thanks Egypt for ensuring return of Palestinian pilgrims Responses: 92 Rosner's Domain Factor panel: Better for Israel if Clinton wins Iowa Guest: Is it important for American Jews to learn Hebrew? Obama, Huckabee widen leads in Iowa, but anything could happen What Will the Palestinian Authority Do With All That Money? If McCain goes up, down goes Giuliani (WTR) More Headlines 04:02 J'lem seeks Bush okay for IDF free hand in W. Bank 02:57 Hezbollah chief Nasrallah: Israel backtracking in negotiations to release abducted IDF soldiers 03:47 Hezbollah dismisses senior commander for wartime failures 04:30 PA security forces restore public order in turbulent W. Bank city 21:33 U.S. Rep. Lantos, only Holocaust survivor in Congress, to retire 02:08 Jerusalem Police planning highest security for Bush visit 02:04 Obesity now recognized by NII as a disability 05:21 Faculty strike becomes longest in Israel university history 05:58 Nature authority seeks to declare underwater areas nature reserves Previous Editions Select Day 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec 21 dec 20 dec

Special Offers Advertisement Inbal Jerusalem Hotel Unbeatable rates at the Finest hotel in Jerusalem Long-term Israel programs MASA is your gateway. More programs. More grants. Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Dead Sea Salt Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off! AMERICANS ONE MONTH LEFT US citizen in Israel beat online Democrats-Abroad Presidential Primary deadline.

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved