It can not be pointed out enough that Olmert is just a symptom of a overall rot that has infected the Israel state systems of justice,politics,media and police. Nepotism ,favoritism, bribes, lies and other dirty tricks are pretty much an accepted way of behavior to worship and bow down to MONEY, our modern day golden calf. On top of that when one is caught in wrongful acts, there is no accountability, taking responsibility or acknowledgement of wrong doing. The Herzelist system lacks any moral compass , because it is based on secularism. This kind of rot has plagued us as a nation many times before , just because we turn away from the one that puts us here in the first place. As much as we have the potential to be a great nation, so too is there the potential to be wicked. Now the big question is what will we do about this?

what he has painted is only the beginning.......................................................................................ohlmert has friends that r afriad to come here as they will go right to jail.

Only the behavior of the government ministers and members of the coalition, who to a man and woman have yet to either leave the government or demand that Olmert step down at once, is more revolting then the receiving of cash filled envelopes. Until they do they should be seen as condoning and identifying with Olmert's nauseating ways. Shame on them all!

Part of being a fund raiser is to be persuasive. Is it possible that the other side of that is to be a con artist? Is it possible that Talansky is conning everyone into believing that he was taken advantage of by Mr. Olmert? Is it possible that Talansky has set his goal to "bring down" the PM, because the PM stopped being Talansky's political "good boy"? Is it possible that Talansky has set out to destroy Israeli democracy even further? Is Talansky's emotional old man position just an act to keep himself out of American jail? In other words is it Talansky's attempt to have his cake and eat it too?

Is 'nt ostentation a traditional part of Israeli politics ? Is Olmert " the only one " ? Getting funding from abroad has ALWAYS been a part of Israeli politics since the country itself can hardly survive and it is not the 1.500.000 Israelis living under poverty level who will subsizide our elected MKs and ministers...If It is indeed always shocking to face politicians who provide lessons of morals but are unable to abide by them , .It is even more shocking when it appears that this particular politician is Jewish and is suppose to empower the traditional Jewish values. Olmert's conduct is indeed questionable.....but there are others also whose conduct has been dictated mostly by personal interests rather than by the well beeing of Israeli people....Is nt time to clean up Israeli politics ? To quick MK out of T.a's discos, to close down all the expense accounts, to keep MK travelling in Economy class on the flights to the US ....etc, etc.....Finally , and after looking with some depth in the "political habits" of the middle-eastern constituants, we are definately not so far remote from our Arab cousins ; Is ostentation a way to compensate for our inabilities to be " real politicians " ?

Maybe he doesn't need one as he has a whole NPO to finance his ego: the Peres Piece Center

At the least, it appears as though Olmert is guilty of tax evasion. In any case, with serious accusations over his head, and until he's cleared of all charges, he's not suited to be prime minister. He must resign.

The modern State of Israel is THE golden calf. Collaboration with it and participation in it at whatever level is a sin for which the Jews are and will be punished for in a terrible, terrible way.

You are forgetting that Olmert admits he took cash in envelopes that wasnt declared? Thats an admission of guilt! I agree Talanski is no angel and it was bribe money he gave Olmert for reasons that have yet come to light, but you cannot deny that Olmert took illegal handouts! You also cannot deny that Olmert must step down for the sake of Israels democracy! I believe that Talanski is as much of a crook as Olmert, but that has nothing to do with Olmerts innocence!

Olmert went to his Grandsons Bris and stayed at a hotel. I put up my parants when they come over. I would never leave Israel if my Father was prime minister It does not say a lot about Olmers Kids

this is only the beginning. he has these friends around the world..............

between the 2 u can vomit. it's disgusting............................ one a sex maniac the other a crook. shame we are not a computer. shut the country down and press re-start deleting all the crooks/liars/thieves/sex maniacs etc.

Olmert is innocent till proven guilty (that's just the way the law works in Israel) The job of the lawyers and the court system is to establish his guilt beyond the shadow of a doubt.

The word God is for me nothing more than the expression and product of human weaknesses, the Bible a collection of honourable, but still primitive legends which are nevertheless pretty childish - Albert Einstein. Now where can i get one of those golden calfs for my salon?

...the Polititurd that should have been jailed" Oh My. Olmert is a low life hedonistic scumbag, who seeks out the perqusites of position and office while providing the mereist shell of poorly acted upon performance in those lofty realms? Now who could have; would have EVER thought that??? EVERYONE!; is the answer. Now force him out of office before he does more damage to the state. Somewhere a trubador strums a lute whilst writing a song for the ages about this particular scandal. Hmmm, what to name it?

Ehud, I can't believe it, I can't believe it...!!!

I just don't get it! No morals! I am even too embarrassed to ask my own mother for money! I feel humiliated and ashamed. And when she gives it, without my asking, I turn it downsaying I am fine and she must keep it and buy herself a ticket with it to come and see us. She haseven slipped it in to my wallet just before leaving so I don't refuse. How could Olmert ask and take and not pay back such huge amounts!! There is no humility and shame in him! He represents the degradation of the morals in this society and therefore should never be allowed to be a leader!

Peres, Barak come to US asking money, asking cash several times each year. Beilin travels to various places to collect cash. These is the way Meretz, Kadima and Labor operate. They show up at Reform Temples in US, star meetings demanding CASH, promissing them something in Israel. While the US Zionists and American Christians give money to poor Israelis, these corrupt politicians demanding money fron Reform Jews. Shame on them all.

One or more crooked politicians is expected, it's a universal given w/politicians. The state of Israel will valiantly endure both her politicians and her pal population w/ victory and successes. You on the other hand may dream on, fool. You'll be long gone when Israel celebrates her next 60 years. No one will remember a pal w/ no brains. It's also a given....

There is nothing here to surprise anyone who has seen the officially blessed antics of the Hebron settlers. Any government that allows the settler thugs to get away with their hellish activities there is obviously one that will line its own pockets at the first and every opportunity.

The great shame is that it has taken so long for us to relace this unethical and greedy man who is surrouded by suspicions in so many of his dealings. The greater shame is that his inadequacies as the P.M. in war revealed in the findings of Winnograd did not budge him. Olmert shame!shame! go! go!

Simon is blind to the beauty of the Judiasm and Andras distorts Jewish values to the point where he become anti-Israel. Fortunately most of the population do not fall into either extreme view. As for Olmert, this is a man who simply is void of values. He cares about nothing but himself.

for projects in Iran and New Orleans within months without raising the suspicions of US political circles. Olmert is alleged to have received $150,000 over several years and will likely pay with his job, at the very least. Cheney left Halliburton to become VP, and his employer, known to punish, not reward, suspiciously gave the VP to be a dazzlingly golden parachute. Now why would they break tradition for Cheney? That would not have anything to do with a future payback, would it? Never happen! Then Cheney-Bush decide to save Israel from Sadam and occupy Iraq. first through the door with a no-bid multi-billion dollar gift is... Yup, Halliburton. Bush, no doubt fed by Cheneys spin doctors educates the US taxpayer to the fact that Halliburton is the most experienced for the job, so the administration was justified in gifting Cheneys previous employer. The along came Christina. Again, Halliburton is best for the job so why consider a competitive alternative. Cheneys ex-boss gets another multi-billion dollar contract competition-free. The wonder is not that Olmert has to explain the $150,000; but how did Bush-Cheney get away with their swindle? They make that last great swindle case of Republican graft, Teapot Dome, look clean.

talk back has not 1 thing to do with a corrupt Olmert who was corrup LONG before Bush/Cheney came along. What a putz!

On the bright side, this is at least an indication that you have something more in common with your Mideast neighbors than you've thought. Maybe you should make the kaffiyeh the official headgear of the Prime Minister's office, like you've appropriated falafel and hummus. Try it, you might like it. It's got an exotic flair to it. Very dashing.

the worst of both is to lie in emotion .i think talanasky is not a lier .lying is on the top of corruption . and when it come from a leader it will be destruction not to the one but to the all

The one word missing from this article which would best describe Olmert's behavior and also his character is hedonist. Olmert is a man bereft of moral fiber who lives for his next luxurious high. It is such an outlook, plus the headying effects of power which make him very dangerous. Further, Olmert really is a leftist, having been indoctrinated by his ardent leftist, post Zionist wife. It is this household which bred 3 ! post Zionist progeny. The fact that Olmert was able to rise so far within the political echelon speaks to the corrosive atmosphere of Israeli politics.

Sima, you're a bit slow on the uptake aren't you? By the way, did you know that the Americans landed on the moon?