Olmert to Step Down as Israel's PM

[rayograph]

المعركة تحتدم بين ليفني وموفاز ... ونتنياهو يصر على انتخابات مبكرة

حرب تموز تلتهم أولمرت

دخلت إسرائيل مرحلة ضبابية مع إعلان رئيس وزرائها إيهود أولمرت عزمه التنحي قريبا عن قيادة حزب كديما، ما ساهم في تأجيج معركة الخلافة، سواء داخل الحزب، حيث يتنافس أربعة مرشحين أبرزهم وزيرة الخارجية تسيبي ليفني ووزير النقل شاؤول موفاز على الرئاسة، أو على مستوى الحكومة، حيث جدد رئيس حزب الليكود بنيامين نتنياهو دعوته إلى إجراء انتخابات مبكرة رافضاً الدعوات إلى تشكيل حكومة وحدة، وهو ما يفتح المشهد السياسي الاسرائيلي خلال الاسابيع المقبلة على تعقيدات عدة

وفيما وضعت هذه الخطوة حداً رسميا لحالة »الموت السريري« غير المعلن التي عانى منها أولمرت منذ هزيمته في لبنان في العام ،٢٠٠٦ ولأسابيع من الترقب شهدت صراعات داخلية في الحزب الحاكم، فإنّ قرار التنحي قد فتح الباب على مصراعيه أمام التكهنات بشأن مستقبل عملية التسوية في المنطقة، سواء السوريين او مع الفلسطينيين الموعودين اميركيا بـ»دولة« قبل نهاية العام ٢٠٠٨

ورغم أنّ رئيس الوزراء الإسرائيلي قد تفادى، في خطابه الذي استغرق نحو عشر دقائق، الإشارة الصريحة لهزيمته في لبنان، ولصفقة الاسرى المذلة له مع »حزب الله«، فإنّ وسائل الإعلام الإسرائيلية أجمعت على أنّ »نهاية أولمرت« تأخرت عامين، حيث رأت صحيفة معاريف أنه »سينهي أيامه كرئيس وزراء مثلما كان يعمل منذ ١٤ آب ،٢٠٠٦ وحيدا، مهانا، مثالا للفشل للأجيال«، فيما اعتبرت »يديعوت أحرونوت« أنّ »أولمرت ودعنا في الحقيقة قبل سنتين: في ١٢ تموز ٢٠٠٦«، عندما اندلعت الحرب على لبنان

وتراوحت التعلقيات في الصحافة الاسرائيلية ما بين وصف اولمرت بانه نيكسون الاسرائيلي، والاشارة الى ان قرار استقالته جاء في الذكرى الثانية للحرب على لبنان، والى مرارة اخفاقه في لبنان وصمود المقاومة طوال اكثر من شهر، في حين ان اللهجة العامة في صحف اسرائيل حفلت بالشماتة بالرجل الذي ظل يحاول منذ عامين تأجيل سقوطه الحتمي بشتى الوسائل، والتي سبقه اليها العديد من رموز الحرب على لبنان، من دون ان تستبعد ان يسعى وهو في نهاية اللعبة التي يمارسها، وفي سقوطه الاخير هذا، الى فتح المنطقة امام خيارات الحرب او السلام

ففي إعلان مفاجئ امس الاول من مقر إقامته الرسمي في القدس المحتلة قال أولمرت »قررت ألا أرشح نفسي في الانتخابات التمهيدية لحزب كديما (في ١٧ ايلول) ولا أعتزم التدخل في الانتخابات«. وأشار إلى أنه »عندما يقع الاختيار على رئيس جديد (لحزب كديما) سأستقيل من منصب رئيس الوزراء للسماح لهم بتشكيل حكومة جديدة على وجه السرعة وبطريقة فعالة«، معتبراً أنّ »مثل هذه الحكومة ستحظى بقاعدة شعبية وستتشكل سريعا«.
وتابع أولمرت، الذي يتوقع أن تستجوبه الشرطة مجدداً في قضايا الفساد التي يشتبه بضلوعه فيها، »ساترك مهام منصبي كما ينبغي، بصورة مشرفة وسليمة ومسؤولة، كما فعلت طيلة ولايتي... وبعدها سأثبت براءتي«. وأضاف لقد ارتكبت أخطاء، واشعر بالأسف لذلك

وتشمل أهم التحقيقات التي تجرى مع أولمرت شكوكا بأنه تلقى رشى من رجل الأعمال اليهودي الأميركي موريس تالينسكي، وأنه تقاضى مصاريف سفر أكثر من مرة عن نفس الرحلة عندما كان وزيرا للتجارة ورئيسا لبلدية القدس المحتلة

ووفقا للدستور، يتعين على رئيس الدولة شمعون بيريز تكليف الرئيس المقبل لحزب كديما، اكبر الأحزاب في البرلمان، بتشكيل الحكومة. وأمام هذا الأخير مهلة من ٤٢ يوما لحشد الغالبية في الكنيست والتصويت على الثقة

وفي حال الفشل، بإمكان بيريز منح الرئيس المكلف ثلاثة أشهر إضافية، أو تكليف نائب آخر القيام بالمهمة. وفي حال فشلت كل هذه المحاولات يمكن لرئيس الدولة أن يقترح على البرلمان أن يحل نفسه، والدعوة إلى انتخابات مبكرة خلال ٩٠ يوماً، علماً أن ولاية الكنيست الحالية تنتهي في العام .٢٠١٠ ويرى معلقون سياسيون أن هذه العملية قد تتطلب شهورا، وقد تسمح لاولمرت بالبقاء في السلطة حتى مطلع العام ٢٠٠٩

وتتمتع الحكومة الانتقالية بكامل صلاحيات حكومة طبيعية فضلا عن انه لا يمكن الإطاحة بها عبر حجب الثقة عنها في البرلمان، الامر الذي يمنح اولمرت هامش مناورة كبيرا خصوصا أن غالبيته انهارت خلال سلسلة من عمليات التصويت على مشاريع قوانين أخيراً

وفي دليل على بقائه أشهراً عديدة على رأس الحكومة، قال أولمرت إنه »طالما أنني ما زلت أمارس مهامي، فلن أتخلى عن محاولات التفاوض مع الفلسطينيين للتوصل الى نتيجة تسمح بإعطاء الأمل«. وأضاف »نحن اقرب من أي وقت مضى من تفاهم متين واتفاقات على المسارين الفلسطيني والسوري

لكن محللين شككوا في قدرة اولمرت السياسية على قطع تعهدات، سواء فيما يتعلق بمحادثات الوضع النهائي مع الرئيس الفلسطيني محمود عباس أو في المفاوضات غير المباشرة مع سوريا

أمّا مارك هيلر من »معهد دراسات الامن القومي« اعتبر أنّ »أي اتفاق سياسي يجب أن توافق عليه الحكومة والبرلمان، وأولمرت أصبح اقل قدرة على تمرير ذلك«، فيما رأى الأستاذ في جامعة بار إيلان جيرالد شتاينبرغ أنّه »بالنظر إلى تاريخ أولمرت فإن هذا تحرك استراتيجي«، موضحاً أنه »إذا فشل رئيس حزب كديما الجديد في تشكيل ائتلاف، فستتم دعوته (اولمرت) للعودة مجددا، أو أنه سيصبح قائما بأعمال رئيس الوزراء حتى إجراء انتخابات

ليفني وموفاز

ورحب المتنافسان الرئيسيان على خلافة اولمرت، وزيرة الخارجية تسيبي ليفني ووزير النقل شاؤول موفاز، بقرار أولمرت

وقالت ليفني أن كديما يريد تشكيل حكومة من دون إجراء انتخابات مبكرة داعية كل الأحزاب التي تدعم خطط تعزيز امن إسرائيل ومكافحة التهديدات القائمة من الخارج، الى وحدة الصف تحت راية الحزب

وقال موفاز للإذاعة العامة إن اولمرت »اتخذ قرارا شجاعا يصب في مصلحة الدولة«، معرباً عن اعتقاده بأن »جميع الأحزاب المشاركة في الائتلاف الحالي ستبقى في الحكومة المقبلة وأن أحزابا أخرى ستنضم إلى حكومة الوحدة الوطنية التي أتمنى أن أشكلها

وتظهر استطلاعات الرأي تقدما طفيفا لليفني على موفاز، المصنف ضمن »الصقور«، فيما ذكرت إذاعة الجيش الإسرائيلي بعيد اعلان استقالة اولمرت ان عددا متزايدا من نواب كديما يدعمون ليفني التي لم تشوه سمعتها أية قضية فساد
نتنياهو

وفيما أكدت ليفني وموفاز رغبتهما في تشكيل حكومة وحدة وطنية تضم خصوصا حزب الليكود المعارض، رفض نتنياهو بشدة الانضمام إلى مثل هذا الائتلاف، حيث اعتبر أن »هذه الحكومة تلفظ أنفاسها وليس أمرا مهما من سيكون الرئيس المقبل لكديما«. ورأى نتنياهو أنّ »الجميع مسؤول في هذه الحكومة عن سلسلة إخفاقات، ويجب ترك الشعب يقرر من خلال انتخابات جديدة«، لافتاً إلى أنه »في حال انتخابي سأشكل حكومة وحدة وليس حكومة منبثقة عن صفقات

ولم يكن نتنياهو وحده الذي يتحدث عن انتخابات جديدة، حيث أوضح المسؤول الثاني في الحكومة حاييم رامون، وهو من حزب كديما، أنه لا يعتقد »بوجود فرص كثيرة لتشكيل حكومة بقيادة كديما لان الأجواء السياسية دخلت منطقة من الاضطرابات حيث من الصعب جدا عودة الهدوء إليها

أمّا وزير الدفاع الإسرائيلي إيهود باراك، الذي يرأس حزب العمل الحليف الرئيسي لأولمرت في الائتلاف الحكومي، فأكد أنه »لم يتضح بعد ما إذا كانت ستجرى انتخابات في غضون ثلاثة أو أربعة أشهر من الآن«، معرباً عن ثقته بقدرة كديما على تشكيل حكومة جديدة من دون إجراء انتخابات كما يطالب نتنياهو

ورداً على سؤال حول ما إذا كان يرغب في رئاسة الحكومة الإسرائيلية، اكتفى باراك بالقول »نحن ندعم دولتنا، ونريد حمايتها، وسنساعد في أية فرصة للمضي قدماً

فلسطين

وفي تونس تعهد الرئيس الفلسطيني محمود عباس بالعمل مع اولمرت وخليفته رغم الاضطرابات التي تشهدها إسرائيل. وفي المقابل وصف المتحدث باسم حركة حماس سامي أبو زهري إعلان أولمرت بأنه »انتصار«، فيما اعتبر القيادي في الحركة محمود الزهار أن »أطراف ما يسمى عملية السلام دخلوا في مستنقع الغرق«، موضحاً أن »بوش سيخلي موقعه في تشرين الثاني المقبل، وأولمرت أعلن التنحية فيما أبو مازن (محمود عباس) سيفقد شرعيته كرئيس للشعب الفلسطيني في كانون الثاني المقبل

واشنطن

وفي تعليق على خطوة أولمرت، أكدت الولايات المتحدة أنها ستواصل العمل على تحقيق هدف الرئيس جورج بوش الوصول الى اتفاق سلام إسرائيلي فلسطيني هذا العام. وقال المتحدث باسم البيت الأبيض غوردن جوندرو إنّ بوش »تحدث مع رئيس الوزراء اولمرت قبيل إعلانه، وهو يتمنى له حظا طيبا وسيواصل العمل معه عن كثب خلال الفترة التي سيظل فيها رئيسا للوزراء«، فيما أكد المتحدث باسم وزارة الخارجية الأميركية شون ماكورماك أنه على استعداد للعمل مع أية حكومة إسرائيلية جديدة

1/8/2008
Al Safir

[J. Abizeid]

Olmert's impending exit deals blow to peace effort - Yahoo! News
Olmert's impending exit deals blow to peace effort
Are we supposed to shed tears now for blowing Olmert’s peace efforts?
If I don’t hear it otherwise, I’m going to start crying. Now!

[proIsrael-nonIsraeli]

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

PINI, I am sure they are doing "something" right, but doing the right thing is not always the right thing to do. Especially in the middle east.

Doing right thing is always right thing to do, ME or not. That is why we call it 'right thing'.

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

Its obvious that the lessons learned in the previous wars are no longer valid. Olmert's problem was not even his, he was told what to do by the supremes in DC and as such it fell apart. Furthermore, the option of using force to put an "enemy" at bay no longer works. Look at Gaza, a complete blockade and they are still sending rockets on Sderot.

I do not know whether using force to put enemy at bay works or not. All I know is that ever since the end of 2006 war there were no attacks coming from Lebanese side. Not a single one. In that respect 2006-2008 is completely different if compared to 2000-2006. Of cause true peace would be better but Syria-like peace will do too.
As to Gaza. It was given to Palestinians. Did not help though. Oh, and there is no blockade. In fact blockade is impossible since Israel does not surround Gaza completely. Israelis are not keepers to their enemies, especially when shot at from Gaza. Stop asking for impossible and get real.

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

The only option for an "ignorant" and "stubborn" Israeli PM is to completely give the Palestians their land back, the Syrians their land back and the Lebanese their land back and establish a Palestinian state with no conditions. Otherwise, its the same Israeli PM as the rest of them but different flavors.

First, see Gaza example from above.
Second, attempt to give land back was made in 1967 soon after the end of the war. If you want to know what happened next research what is Hartum conference and what are three famous NOs.

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

There is not a single PM coming from Israel these days is worth the election. They are either corrupt, were corrupted, want to be corrupt, ignoring the fact they are corrupt, lost a war, will lose a war, on their way of losing another war, and last but not least talk about the **** problem before launching their cool planes on people.

I have a feeling great many Israelis would agree with you. But for the same token so would many citizens of all other countries in the world in regard to their respective rulers. So? Its human nature.
About cool planes. Israel never attacked you first. If I were you I would've drawn at least one valuable conclusion from this fact.

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

Israel is prospering due to donations from uncle sam. Only if the American Public knew what they get in return from the Trillions invested in israel so far.

Please, stop repeating this nonsense. Yes, Israel receives help from US. And it helps a lot. But to say that Israel is prospering because of that is incorrect. While it helps it is very small portion of overall GDP still.
BTW, do you know that Israeli neighbors get US help too? And I do not see them prospering. So, again, maybe Israel is doing something right despite of its corrupt leaders and despite being in the hart of ME.

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

I just hope next time an Israeli PM gets elected, he will stand by his word and stop building settlements on palestinian land, stop talking tough on "terror" and stop acting like Israel is under threat all the time.

My 2 Lebanese Piasters

Until Palestinians will get serious about defining borders and building a state there will be no such thing as Palestinian land. Settlements can always be removed later if necessary. We've seen it done.

[Hye4Lebanon]

Originally Posted by proIsrael-nonIsraeli

Doing right thing is always right thing to do, ME or not. That is why we call it 'right thing'.

Let me give you a hint. Carpet bombing Lebanon to save 2 soldiers was not the right thing to do. Everyone knew that will not achieve any results and we saw it happen.

Originally Posted by proIsrael-nonIsraeli

I do not know whether using force to put enemy at bay works or not. All I know is that ever since the end of 2006 war there were no attacks coming from Lebanese side. Not a single one. In that respect 2006-2008 is completely different if compared to 2000-2006. Of cause true peace would be better but Syria-like peace will do too.
As to Gaza. It was given to Palestinians. Did not help though. Oh, and there is no blockade. In fact blockade is impossible since Israel does not surround Gaza completely. Israelis are not keepers to their enemies, especially when shot at from Gaza. Stop asking for impossible and get real.

Gaza is blocked form the sea, air and land except for a small patch of dirt going to Egypt. If Israel had the chance, it would block that as well. Even an ex U.S. president is echoing what is going on in Palestine as ghetto style. Give the palestinians to govern their land their way and not some Israeli falvored version of governence. Look how the west bank is carved and called Area A and Area B...give us a break.

Originally Posted by proIsrael-nonIsraeli

First, see Gaza example from above.
Second, attempt to give land back was made in 1967 soon after the end of the war. If you want to know what happened next research what is Hartum conference and what are three famous NOs.

I do not care, the same routine been happening since the 67 and every prime minister has paid dearly and costly and much blood has spilled because they just want their land back. Simple as that and will continue to do so until they get their land back.

Originally Posted by proIsrael-nonIsraeli

I have a feeling great many Israelis would agree with you. But for the same token so would many citizens of all other countries in the world in regard to their respective rulers. So? Its human nature.
About cool planes. Israel never attacked you first. If I were you I would've drawn at least one valuable conclusion from this fact.

Israel just needs an excuse to attack. Remember Natanyahu speech in 1996 during the Grapes of Wrath operation..."Let's see now if Lebanese economy will grow at a rate of 5% a year". Regardless...the whole thing will be over if the Lebanese demands are met without firing a single bullet which by the way, are not much...Israel is just to stuborn to take action and hand over the Lebanese land.

Originally Posted by proIsrael-nonIsraeli

Please, stop repeating this nonsense. Yes, Israel receives help from US. And it helps a lot. But to say that Israel is prospering because of that is incorrect. While it helps it is very small portion of overall GDP still.
BTW, do you know that Israeli neighbors get US help too? And I do not see them prospering. So, again, maybe Israel is doing something right despite of its corrupt leaders and despite being in the hart of ME.

The difference between these countries in the Middle East and Israel is they get paid to keep their mouths shut. What happens in their country is a different story. Israel on the other hand invests them locally.

Let's just say these funds will come in handy for anyone really...including Lebanon.

Originally Posted by proIsrael-nonIsraeli

Until Palestinians will get serious about defining borders and building a state there will be no such thing as Palestinian land. Settlements can always be removed later if necessary. We've seen it done.

Give them a chance and you will see how they can. But Israel is asking the Palestinians to compromise a compromise which was already being compromised a long time ago. Give them some room to breath and see how they can prosper. Why build settlements knowing eventually they will be removed. Check out BtSelem on how many Palestinian houses have been demolished vs Israeli.

Remove them from now...why wait? Blaming the victim for a crime is truly pathetic.

Let's hope the next Israeli PM can do better. But I doubt...highly doubt it.

[J. Abizeid]

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

Let me give you a hint. Carpet bombing Lebanon to save 2 soldiers was not the right thing to do. Everyone knew that will not achieve any results and we saw it happen.

May be steeling a whole country from its people and terrorizing them so they leave and never come back is the right thing to do. At least for some,

[proIsrael-nonIsraeli]

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

Let me give you a hint. Carpet bombing Lebanon to save 2 soldiers was not the right thing to do. Everyone knew that will not achieve any results and we saw it happen.

OK, since we all are in hinting mood let me return a favor.

If Israelis are willing to exchange hundreds of their enemies just for dead try imagining what would they be willing to do if they hope to get alive Israelis.
As to carpet bombing, I wish you'd not use those terms so freely. You cannot even imagine what carpet bombing is.

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

Gaza is blocked form the sea, air and land except for a small patch of dirt going to Egypt. If Israel had the chance, it would block that as well. Even an ex U.S. president is echoing what is going on in Palestine as ghetto style. Give the palestinians to govern their land their way and not some Israeli falvored version of governence. Look how the west bank is carved and called Area A and Area B...give us a break.

But Israel does not have a chance and therefore there is no blockade. So, now you know. I hope you will not say anymore that there is a blockade.
BTW, this 'patch of dirt going to Egypt' is way more than enough as recent events had shown to us.

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

I do not care, the same routine been happening since the 67 and every prime minister has paid dearly and costly and much blood has spilled because they just want their land back. Simple as that and will continue to do so until they get their land back.

If you do not care then why do you even start all this talk about land to be given back?

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

Israel just needs an excuse to attack. Remember Natanyahu speech in 1996 during the Grapes of Wrath operation..."Let's see now if Lebanese economy will grow at a rate of 5% a year". Regardless...the whole thing will be over if the Lebanese demands are met without firing a single bullet which by the way, are not much...Israel is just to stuborn to take action and hand over the Lebanese land.

If you know that Israel just needs an excuse then do not give it.
And regardless of what any of them is saying they still need an excuse. They cannot start anything without it.

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

The difference between these countries in the Middle East and Israel is they get paid to keep their mouths shut. What happens in their country is a different story. Israel on the other hand invests them locally.

Talk about excuses. You know what? I can take horse to water, I cannot make horse drink the water. So, now you are blaming Israelis for using money wisely? Why don't you blame yourself for not doing the same instead?

Originally Posted by Hye4Lebanon

Give them a chance and you will see how they can. But Israel is asking the Palestinians to compromise a compromise which was already being compromised a long time ago. Give them some room to breath and see how they can prosper. Why build settlements knowing eventually they will be removed. Check out BtSelem on how many Palestinian houses have been demolished vs Israeli.

Remove them from now...why wait? Blaming the victim for a crime is truly pathetic.

Let's hope the next Israeli PM can do better. But I doubt...highly doubt it.

Palestinians were given many chances, they still are. Problem is not with lock of opportunities. Problem is with lock of desire. And I blame them for that. Well, not blame really, it is their life to ruin.


PS. I hope new Israeli PM will be very good for Israel first and foremost. Everything else is distant second, very distant.

[lebneniye]

Olmert's biggest mistake was sending the IDF into Lebanon on the "American Plan". Olmert must step down for the good of Israel...and take Peretz with him.

[TayyarBeino]

Last update - 20:17 07/09/2008


Police recommend indicting Olmert on corruption charges

By Jonathan Lis, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service



After reviewing the evidence for five hours on Sunday, the police submitted a unanimous recommendation to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz, urging him to indict Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in two corruption cases.

The police has recommended that the premier be charged with bribery, the most severe charge he faced, fraud, breach of trust and a string of other charges.

The cases in question are the Rishon tours double billing affair, involving allegations that Olmert funded trips abroad for himself and his family with money obtained fraudulently from public organizations, and the Talansky affair, in which Olmert is suspected of having illegally received money from Jewish American businessman Morris Talansky over the course of 15 years.
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The police are expected to reach a decision regarding a third case, the Investment Center affair, in the near future. The affair revolves around allegations that Olmert granted personal favors to his old law partner, Uri Messer, who was acting on behalf of a company, an act which would constitute a conflict of interest, breach of trust, and fraud.

The head of Israel Police's Investigations and Intelligence Division, Maj. Gen. Yohanan Danino, and senior officers examined the evidence collected on the Morris Talansky, the double-billing (Rishon Tours) and the Investment Center affairs. If no further investigation is deemed necessary, the material will be given to the State Prosecutor's Office along with recommendations whether the evidence in any or all of the cases constitutes a basis for indictment.

The State Prosecutor's Office is expected to make a decision whether or not to file an idictment two weeks after receiving the material and holding a hearing for Olmert.

Olmert's media advisor, Amir Dan, said Saturday: "The police have no choice but to recommend an indictment, since they have to justify the fact that they brought down a prime minister in office."

Following a meeting last Thursday at the Lod headquarters of the police crime-fighting umbrella unit, Lahav 433, a recommendation to indict in the double-billing affair seemed to be in the offing.

With regard to the Talansky affair, a source said that "its various links do not completely correlate." The source was referring to the fact that investigators were not always able to connect Talansky's testimony with the exact bank withdrawals, and Talansky and those present during the alleged hand-overs of cash "describe the events differently."

The source said the Investment Center investigation was also considered "complex" in terms of the evidence.

Nevertheless, a senior police official said recently that there was a good chance that both the Talansky and the Investment Center investigations would result in a recommendation to indict.

After Sunday's meeting, which convened at National Police Headquarters at 9 A.M., Danino presented the conclusions to Police Commissioner David Cohen.

Police and the State Prosecutor reportedly prefer to formulate the indictments together because attorney Uri Messer is allegedly involved in all of them. In addition, police were to decide on Sunday on the indictment of others involved in the various affairs, including Shula Zaken - Olmert's former bureau chief - Messer and Talansky. Sources close to the case say Zaken is likely to be indicted. However, since Messer and Talansky are also central witnesses, the State Prosecutor's Office is said to be wary of losing their cooperation by indicting them.