May 4 Headlines
Sunday
HA’ARETZ
1. Police investigated Olmert for over an hour and hurried to update Attorney General Mazuz.
SOURCE CLOSE TO THE INVESTIGATION: "EVIDENCE AGAINST PM IS SIGNIFICANT."
Short investigation: PM investigated at his Jerusalem Residence by senior police officers in effort to make it difficult for him to change his version in the future. Shula Zaken under house arrest: Former head of Olmert's bureau investigated under warning last Tuesday in same affair; arrest due to end this evening. Blow to coalition: Three Pensioners Party MKs announce their defection. Olmert's coalition down to 64. Legal analysis: PM must resign upon presentation of indictment but High Court could force him out sooner.
2. NINE LIVES.
Despite tough season and 18-point deficit in semi-final against Maccabi Tel Aviv to play in classic championship tonight against CSKA.
MA’ARIV
1. PM investigated in new and severe affair.
"I REFUSE TO GO DOWN IN HISTORY."
Under restrictions of gag order, PM says: "I am not excited. I've already been in this movie." But senior legal sources are convinced: He will be obliged to go home.
2. BRING THE TROPHY.
After amazing recovery against Siena, Tzvika Sherf's Maccabi has one mission: European [Basketball] Championship. Battle against CSKA tonight at 22:00.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. CSKA, YOU'RE IN FOR IT!
National stages ready for dual celebration: European [Basketball] Championship and 60th Independence Day festivities. Tonight at 22:00 – [Maccabi Tel Aviv's] fateful game against CSKA in Madrid.
2. PM to be investigated again soon in new affair.
MAZUZ: NOT CONSIDERING SUSPENDING OLMERT.
Anticipation in political establishment following investigation.
[MAKOR RISHON-HATZOFEHwas unavailable today.]
______________________________
SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Ma'ariv contends that Israeli soldiers who later report on violations of civil rights that occurred while they were on active duty are, "Unethical youths, who instead of informing on the incident in real-time chose to close their eyes. Instead of preventing the plunder and the abuse, they chose to participate in the crime and – two years later – want to tell their friends about it. Instead of paying the price they are trying to pass it on to society…"
The Jerusalem Post states that while the Palestinians have done a fine job of articulating Palestinian grievances and setting goals, this is not true of Israel. The editor calls on the government of Ehud Olmert to explain to the world - and us - precisely where it stands, and to seek to galvanize support and understanding for Israel's positions.
Haaretz discusses the recent investigation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, and states that the attorney general will not be able to keep quiet or hide the details of the investigation from the public for long. "The severity of the allegations, even if they have not yet been proven or served as the basis of an indictment, will determine whether Olmert can remain in his post. He will be presumed innocent until the end of the proceedings, but if there is apparent evidence of taking bribes, that would be an allegation serious enough to force the prime minister to give up his seat."
Yediot Ahronot writes about Israel at 60 and reminds its readers that, "Nothing in achievements can guarantee the future, and Israel's future depends primarily upon us. Realizing the potential long-term prosperity demands a sharp about-face in the trend of the erosion of values, focus on the present, the decline in the quality of leadership and governance, the inability to make decisions and the growing social apathy."
[Roi Sharon and Yehezkel Dror wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronotand Ma'ariv, respectively. Makor Rishon-Hatzofehwas unavailable today.]
|
