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Last update - 00:35 09/05/2008 PM denies allegations, says will quit if indicted By Haaertz Service and News Agencies Tags: corruption, Israel  Prime Minister Ehud Olmert admitted on Thursday that he accepted campaign donations from an American businessman, but denied that they were bribes and said he would only resign if he were indicted. Advertisement In a terse, late-night televised statement to journalists at his residence in Jerusalem on Thursday, Olmert said that a lawyer had handled his finances and that everything had been done legally. "I never took bribes, I never took a penny for myself, he said." He said he would not fight to stay in office if he is charged over the allegations. Olmert is suspected of illicitly receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from Morris (Moshe) Talansky, according to the details of an investigation currently being carried out against him. At the request of police and judicial officials, the Tel Aviv Magistrate's Court on Thursday relaxed a sweeping media gag order that has prevented the reporting of details on the probe. "I was elected by you, citizens of Israel, to be the prime minister and I don't intend to shirk this responsibility," he said. "At the same time, and even though the law does not require me to do this, I will resign from my job if the attorney general decides to issue an indictment against me." Olmert convened the news conference as speculation swirled that the police investigation into his affairs would increase pressure on him to resign. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Stronger than its ills The 60th anniversary celebrations are accompanied by a bad taste. Rise in racism Israeli Arabs say institutionalized racism has increased.   1.   Olmert denial - We`ll wait and see 00:48  |  Dwido 09/05/08

Read & React Bradley Burston: Sixty years of Nakba, sixty years of nothing Responses: 299 PA official: No Israeli partner in light of latest Olmert probe Responses: 185 Haaretz Editorial: Israel stronger than its ills; Mideast peace is still possible Responses: 125 Rosner's Domain: Obama and the Jews: is 61% enough? Responses: 84 Peres: I didn't imagine Qassams would be fired from Gaza after pullout Responses: 221 Rosner's Domain Obama and the Jews: is 61% enough? Who's pushing the US to war with Iran? (WTR) Poll: If Olmert is gone, who should be PM? What Muslims really think? (WTR) The Democrats are fighting over Iran More Headlines 00:48 Olmert suspected of accepting illicit funds from U.S. businessman 23:55 ANALYSIS / The PM seems crushed in face of allegations 00:32 BACKGROUND / When Ehud Olmert met Morris Talansky 22:14 FM Livni: Israel ready to make sacrifices for peace 21:43 Two seriously hurt when paratrooper hits crowd in Tel Aviv 18:31 Thousands take to streets and parks as Israel celebrates 60 years of statehood 17:34 British PM: Israel`s creation one of the 20th century`s `greatest achievements` 22:36 Six die and 12 hurt as sectarian clashes ravage Beirut 23:09 Hamas: Gaza-Egypt border to open for three days 18:06 Olmert said ready to bring about peace agreement with Syria 22:49 Five police officers and two Arab MKs hurt as clashes erupt at Naqba Day protest 21:41 Two Israeli tourists thought missing in Burma cyclone found unharmed Previous Editions Select Day 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr

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