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When the PM met Talansky By Gidi Weitz Long Island mogul Morris Talansky is a longtime acquaintance of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, even before the latter was elected Jerusalem mayor. Olmert used to call Talansky "my dear old friend," and his aides referred to him as "Mr. T." Olmert's close associates called Talansky "the banker" or "the launderer." Talansky has been named as one of the contributors to Olmert's mayoral campaign in 1998. Olmert's associates say Talansky used to meet Olmert when he visited Israel in his bureau or in a Jerusalem hotel lobby. When Olmert visited New York the two usually met in Olmert's hotel suite. Advertisement Some Jerusalem municipal officials remember Talansky's visits. "He used to go directly inside without stopping for small talk with advisers and secretaries," said a former senior city official who worked with Olmert. Veteran city officials said an ultra-Orthodox contractor and political wheeler dealer, Yehuda Peli, introduced Olmert to Talansky. Talansky, who was executive director of the American Committee for Shaare Zedek Medical Center for over 20 years, is believed to have met Olmert during this period. Olmert frequently attended Shaare Zedek dinners and other fundraising events sponsored by the Jerusalem-based hospital. Talansky's associates have recently denied reports that he was a right-wing activist who was acting against Olmert for ideological reasons. They said Olmert and Talansky kept close ties even after Olmert modified his political approach and supported the disengagement. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Siniora vs. Hezbollah The Lebanon prime minister accuses Hezbollah of staging a coup. Plant down - again Palestinians say tha Gaza power plant has closed due to a fuel shortage.

Read & React Hezbollah fighters start withdrawing from Beirut Responses: 601 British PM: Israel`s creation one of 20th century`s `greatest achievements` Responses: 328 Ahmadinejad: Israel is a 'stinking corpse' doomed to disappear Responses: 350 Key witness 'fears Olmert may seek to harm him' Responses: 96 Jews bend over backward to stay neutral in U.S. vote Responses: 127 Jerome Segal: Through tough love, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can be ended Responses: 141 More Headlines 01:57 Hezbollah claims victory as Lebanon gov't U-turns 02:09 ANALYSIS: Clashes in Lebanon have yet to affect Israel 22:48 Olmert to appeal move to hear early testimony from key state witness 22:16 21 Qassams hit the Negev on Saturday, lightly hurting five 22:30 Palestinians: Gaza power plant closes due to fuel shortage 01:16 Jewish Republicans are jockeying to win McCain's favor 01:06 ANALYSIS: Hezbollah, Lebanon gov't are boxers girding for next round 22:24 Rabbi testifies in support of Hamas-linked imam facing U.S. ban 14:01 Palestinians: Gaza-Egypt border opens temporarily 07:32 ANALYSIS / Olmert probe shows the media really is the message Previous Editions Select Day 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr

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