HA’ARETZ
1. ENFORCEMENT OFFICIAL: INDICTMENT – QUESTION OF TIME.
Olmert interrogated a second time and, in words of enforcement officials, he did not succeed in refuting suspicion that he illegally received money from Talansky.
2. AMERICAN JEWISH RESEARCHER WHO MET WITH HEZBOLLAH CAME TO ISRAEL – AND WAS EXPELLED.
3. END OF THE ROMANCE: GRANT FIRED FROM CHELSEA.
Israeli soccer coach takes leave of English Premiere League team three days after UEFA Champion's League loss.
MA’ARIV
1. Investigation and peace. In two days – Talansky's deposition.
OLMERT TO INVESTIGATORS: "SHULA AND URI TOOK CARE OF THE MONEY."
Another long interrogation awaits PM, after investigation in US.
2. KICKED OUT.
Three days after defeat: Avram no longer coaching Chelsea. Over NIS 30 million in dismissal compensation.
YEDIOT AHRONOT
1. Talansky…expresses disappointment with Olmert: "He has become condescending. He told me once: "Leave the envelope and go."
ASSESSMENT: "INDICTMENT AGAINST OLMERT BY THE END OF THE SUMMER."
Already in State Prosecutor's Office: Within four months, we will submit draft indictment for fraud and breach of trust. Only after Olmert's hearing will final decision be made. Exclusive: Investigation trick that brought down Uri Messer.
2. KICKED OUT.
Roman Abramowitz didn't wait long to fire Avram Grant. Sources close to Chelsea's Israeli coach: He feels betrayed. His father: Abramowitz capitulated to anti-Semitism. Grant can take comfort with $10 million.
3. HONORABLE.
Boaz Mauda gave his all in Eurovision and finished in top ten.
[MAKOR RISHON-HATZOFEHwas unavailable today.]
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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS
Ma'ariv opines that Syrian President Bashar Assad is making political gain from the recently announced peace initiative by improving his reputation in the West without having to sever its ties with Iran and Hizbollah.
Haaretz writes: "Each of the leaders is holding on to the peace process to extricate himself from his difficult circumstances. Olmert aspires to become untouchable, Assad wants to be the new Arab hero, and Erdogan needs to prove to secular Turks that he can provide Turkey with a regional stature that no one before him has achieved. Their difficulties may prove to be the mother of all inventions, and under the right circumstances can also offer various strategic results."
The Jerusalem Post writes: "Russia is now forcing its way back into the Middle East - and not necessarily in the most encouraging manner. By dangerously increasing its arms sales to the region, notably to Syria and Iran, Moscow is seeking to restore prestige, bolster influence and - not least - to make money. Israel must put far greater pressure on Moscow to stop the sale of weapons that threaten Israel's basic security requirements. Israel can no longer allow Russia to maximize its regional power at Israel's expense."
Yediot Ahronot points out that major, historic peace accords are always concluded behind closed doors, far from the cameras. The editors also contend that, "No Arab leader would agree to receive even one centimeter less than did Egyptian President Anwar Sadat in 1979".
[Yossi Ben-Aharon and Eitan Haber wrote today’s articles in Yediot Ahronotand Ma'ariv, respectively. Makor Rishon-Hatzofehwas unavailable today.]
