HA’ARETZ

1. Olmert investigation: DM Barak considering calling on PM to resign.

TALANSKY TESTIFIES: I GAVE OLMERT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR FLIGHTS, HOTELS AND VACATIONS ABROAD.

PM's attorneys: Staying in a suite is not criminal; wait for cross-examination.  The testimony: Talansky burst into tears – I knew that, one of these days, they'd come to me.  State Prosecutor's Office: We will decide whether or not to indict only after cross-examination.  Elections soon?  Today – Barak and senior Labor Party officials to discuss possibility of early elections.

MA’ARIV

1. OLMERT'S LETTERS.

Thus Morris Talansky turns to his friend Olmert and states: "Money from my bank account has been transferred to cover the debts of your elections non-profit association."  And thus Olmert asks billionaire Sheldon Adelson to help Talansky.

2. THE TESTIMONY.

For seven hours, Talansky related his version and revealed: "Olmert wanted to receive only cash from me."

3. BARAK CONSIDERING: DEMAND THAT OLMERT SUSPEND HIMSELF.

Last night: Labor Chairman summoned Reuven Adler for dramatic consultations.  If PM accepts the demand, Tzipi Livni would become Acting Prime Minister.

YEDIOT AHRONOT

1. Emergency Labor Party discussion in response to Talansky testimony.

BANKER'S REVENGE.

Full testimony: Cash, credit card and checks – Talansky detailed how he transferred money to Olmert over 15 years.  The documents: First publication – Hotel accounts, checks transferred by Talansky, receipt from Uri Messer.  Olmert confidants: Claiming – damaged caused by Talansky's court testimony is image – but not criminal.

[MAKOR RISHON-HATZOFEHwas unavailable today.]

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SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS

Three papers comment on various issues regarding the allegations against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert:

Ma'ariv cautions against drawing conclusions from Morris Talansky's deposition yesterday, given that there was no cross-examination and that no decision has been made on whether or not to actually present an indictment.  However, the author declares, "What is especially shocking, is the method of financing," and asserts that "Cash transactions that are not documented immediately, that are not via a banking institution, so that it is impossible to follow the cash flow, raise a great danger and suspicion that an appreciable portion of the money is liable to be utilized for personal needs."

Haaretz states that the behavior attributed to Olmert by Talansky is intolerable, and cannot represent the Israeli public, which is frequently called upon by its leaders to make economic and social sacrifices. According to the editor, if Olmert insists on continuing to retain his position at the government's helm, he is obliged to appear before the public, without delay, and present his version of the facts.

Yediot Aharonot suggests that "It would be a serious mistake to consider Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's continuation in office mainly from a legal point-of-view, as if anyone who has not been accused of a criminal offense or who has not been indicted, is eligible, from an ethical perspective, to serve as prime minister", and believes that "The moment it becomes clear that the Prime Minister received significant sums in cash, or in similar form, he must give up his seat."

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The Jerusalem Post discusses the plight of South Africa under black rule, citing the recent violence, the country's ineffectual public services, a 30% unemployment rate, the erratic supply of electricity, and the unnecessarily high infant mortality rate. The editor states that Israelis are keenly interested in what goes on in South Africa, because it is hard to imagine the continent thriving without Pretoria leading the way, and hopes that soon the country will finally fulfill it potential.

[Prof. Yehezkel Dror and Prof. Emmanuel Gross wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot and Ma'ariv, respectively.  Makor Rishon-Hatzofeh was unavailable today.]

(Courtesy of the GPO)