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Last update - 21:20 28/05/2008 Livni: Israel has values and morals that bind its leaders By Barak Ravid and Shahar Ilan, Haaretz Correspondents and Haaretz Service Tags: Tzipi Livni, Ehud Olmert  Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Wednesday that Israel's leaders are bound by the state's values and morals, referring to an ongoing corruption investigation currently underway against fellow Kadima Party member and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Speaking in Jerusalem at a memorial service for David Raziel, the commander of the militant Zionist group that operated in Palestine between 1931 and 1948 Etzel, Livni said that "the state has a vision and values that obligate both its citizens and its leaders. Before we can a light onto others, it is only fitting that we work toward showing the light inside our home." "There are morals that should be common to all of us and that represent unwritten norms and behavioral guidelines for everyone, whether poor or rich," she added. Advertisement Livni's statement came amid a flurry of responses Wednesday to a call made by Defense Minister Ehud Barak for the prime minister to step down. Barak told a press conference he had convened earlier in the day that the investigation against Olmert incapacitates him from giving his full attention to day to day government operations. Immediately after Barak's press conference, three Labor MKs - Shelly Yachimovich, Eitan Cabel and Ophir Pines-Paz - submitted a motion to dissolve the government. They said that their proposal was made with Barak's approval. "Under the current situation, Olmert cannot continue in his post," said Pines-Paz. "If Kadima does not replace at one and create an alternative government, we will push forth a proposal to set an expedient and exact date for elections." Cabel, the Labor faction whip, said that if Kadima does not put its house in order during the Knesset summer session, Labor would call for snap elections. "This is enough time for Kadima's internal dealings to be exhausted," he said. Shas leader and Deputy Prime Minister Eli Yishai said that the early elections are closer than ever. "It is highly unlikely a new government could be formed with the current make-up of the Knesset," he said. He also said that Shas is the only party that is not concerned about early elections. Likud MK Yisrael Katz called on Olmert to resign without delay and hold early elections, citing Barak's statements that Olmert is incapable of attending to Israel's diplomatic and security concerns. National Religious Party-National Union MK Arieh Eldad said that Barak realized he could not carry on sailing aboard Olmert's sinking pirate ship. "The earlier Israel rids itself of the shadow of shame cast on it by the envelope man and call early elections, the better," he said. Likud MK Limor Livnat said that Barak betrayed his national role, and failed to show public integrity. "By not setting a deadline for the prime minister's departure, Labor proved weak," she said. Earlier Wednesday, amid news reports that Barak would deliver the ultimatum to the prime minister, Labor legislator Danny Yatom said: "Either Olmert suspends himself or the Labor Party must leave the government." Barak had been expected during the press conference to deny radio reports according to which he was considering forming an emergency government with the right-wing opposition Likud party that would leave out Olmert's centrist Kadima party. Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, a Labor Party veteran and Barak stalwart, said the defense minister had consulted "with nearly the entire Labor Party" regarding the faction's future in light of the Olmert probe. The minister said that party officials are not averse to early elections, adding that it would be difficult for Olmert to contend with state issues while embroiled in this affair. "I would expect the prime minister would have his head 100 percent dedicated to the security problems of the state of Israel and wouldn't deal with anything else," Ben-Eliezer told Israel Radio. Kadima MKs Amira Dotan and Ze'ev Elkin also demanded Wednesday that Olmert resign. Coalition concerns Lawmakers from across the political spectrum began calls for Olmert's resignation and fresh elections nearly three weeks ago. Labor Party officials said then that the faction would remain in Olmert's coalition government until a court ruling is made in the case. Olmert has said he would resign if indicted but State Prosecutor Moshe Lador said it was too early to say if an indictment would be issued and that a decision would be made only after completion of police investigations. Tal Silberstein, an Olmert adviser, told Army Radio on Wednesday that the prime minister had no intention of stepping aside now. "I can tell you, based on a recent conversation with him, that he has no intention of announcing that he is taking a leave of absence or declaring anything at this stage - not as long as he is trying to prove his innocence," Silberstein said. Knesset members lashed out at Olmert on Tuesday in response to Morris Talansky's testimony in the Jerusalem District Court. "The greenbacks in Talansky's envelopes were black [with filth]," said the chairman of the Knesset caucus against corruption, MK Arieh Eldad (National Union-National Religious Party). "Black money bought the prime minister of Israel, and until Olmert is removed from his post, the black flag of corruption flies over the entire state of Israel." Knesset Interior Committee Chairman Ophir Pines-Paz (Labor) said: "I do not understand how testimony like this jives with Olmert's statement that he did not take one shekel for his own pocket." Pines said Olmert's continued tenure was "insufferable and impossible." Knesset State Control Committee Chairman Zevulun Orlev (National Union-National Religious Party) said: "A prime minister who asked for and received money in envelopes has lost his moral and public authority. Talansky's testimony is a serious public indictment against Ehud Olmert, and the coalition parties will be like partners in crime if they do not end his term immediately." MK Limor Livnat (Likud) said: "If there were any doubts, along came Talansky's testimony and proved that Ehud Olmert must go home immediately and we must have elections." MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) said: "Despite our support for the diplomatic process Olmert is leading, if what Talansky says is true, Olmert cannot sit one more day in the prime minister's chair." Related articles: Barak tells Olmert: Step down from post or face elections Corruption probe poll: 70% of Israelis don't believe Olmert Talansky: Olmert got $150,000 from me, introduced me to tycoons Bookmark to del.icio.us   Scuba SMS Ultrasonic sound wave technology revolutionizes underwater communication. 'Hip-hop violinist' Israeli violinist participates in New York event, celebrating Israel's 60th anniversary.   1.   Values and Morals 20:15  |  David 28/05/08   2.   Livni Does Not Value "Truth", That`s for Sure 20:17  |  Ovadiah ben Avraham 28/05/08   3.   SHE CAN`T ADVANCE UNLESS HE QUITS 20:25  |  dav zee 28/05/08   4.   Orwellean "double-speak" 20:41  |  Michael 28/05/08   5.   `Moral values` 20:58  |  Ulf 28/05/08   6.   It would be great if Torah was the source 21:04  |  Avi 28/05/08   7.   Livni triggers BS alarms halfway around the world 21:11  |  Natallie Durson 28/05/08   8.   so vague, so empty, so Livni with common values... 21:12  |  Avi 28/05/08   9.   Unifyiing values 21:18  |  Miriam 28/05/08   10.   morals....lies 21:19  |  KA 28/05/08   11.   LOL - even the two terrorist who israelis elected - LOL 21:27  |  POP 28/05/08   12.   Occupation + Apartheid = Israeli Values & Morals 21:28  |  POP 28/05/08   13.   livni go home 21:35  |  fad egypt 28/05/08   14.   Olmert, Livni, Barak... 21:36  |  christoph 28/05/08   15.   Really,What Values and Morals 21:44  |  Abe 28/05/08   16.   Prime Minister Tzipi Livni ? 21:45  |  Shmuel 28/05/08   17.   Livni deserves to become Israel`s prime minister now. 21:55  |  Yael 28/05/08   18.   Yah, Right 21:57  |  tarek 28/05/08   19.   Livni slow reaction 22:02  |  Joshua 28/05/08   20.   #no8 Livni deserves to become prime minister 22:07  |  Joshua 28/05/08   21.   Bush Say Road Map Perfidy Not Contingent on Olmert 22:24  |  Joseph . E 28/05/08   22.   what are all these saboteurs going to do 22:38  |  victor hardman 28/05/08   23.   I sure hope Livni is right! 22:42  |  AliciaYasmeen 28/05/08   24.   Livni needs a padded cell. She is clearly..... 22:48  |  Deborah 28/05/08   25.   Dishonest and corrupt Israel, that is. 00:08  |  BJ 29/05/08   26.   #24, Deborah... 00:26  |  Silvienne 29/05/08   27.   If That`s True Then How Come... 07:11  |  Yosemite 29/05/08

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