By Steven Shamrak

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says he will not resign after an official report sharply criticized his decision to go to war in Lebanon last year. The 232-page report stated, “The entire government supported the decisions, but it must be emphasized that these decisions were made in a faulty manner — mainly by Olmert, Peretz and Halutz. Responsibility for these decisions is shared by others, but is chiefly theirs — and primarily that of the Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert.” Despite the fact that Olmert’s approval ratings plunged to single digits after the inconclusive 34-day war which ended with a cease-fire in August, he said in a brief televised address: “It would not be right to quit and I have no intention of doing so”. (Might it just be not “right to quit” for him, in order to avoid criminal prosecution for corruption, or for the country? Is democracy in Israel dead? Decency was never strong point of the current government of Israel. Public support is less than 2%, but Olmert and his gang of incompetent and self-centered fools are still unwilling to relinquish their grip on power!)

Legal Opinion. Following the findings of Winograd report, Attorney Yosef Fuchs of the Land of Israel Legal Forum, an expert on Israeli constitutional law, issued a statement saying that Olmert has no choice but to resign. Fuchs says that this is the indicated conclusion based on the Kahn Commission precedent that investigated Sabra and Shatila in 1982. “Olmert must resign, which means the resignation of the entire government,” said Fuchs. The Kahn Commission found that one who is “found to bear ministerial responsibility for a grave security or political fiasco” must resign or be fired.

Tzipi is Just Another Political Rat. Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni made the call at a press conference in Jerusalem after her meeting with Olmert. Livni told the reporters that, “I told the prime minister in private talks that resignation would be the right thing. The public has lost faith in the government. We must restore it immediately. I believe that Kadima should stay and run the State of Israel. When the time comes, I will announce my candidacy for the party’s leadership,” she said. (Nothing will be changed in Israel if again one “political prostitute” replaces another. Livni is just concerned with saving her political future! Peace in Israel is only possible through abandoning the defeatist policy, and then setting and implementing the Jewish national agenda!)

‘Essential’ to Whom? US President George W Bush views Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as “essential” to Middle East peace efforts. Mr. Bush “works very closely with Prime Minister Olmert and thinks that he’s essential in working toward a two-state solution. The president remains committed to it”, said spokesman Tony Snow. (A two-state solution is not essential but detrimental for Israel! However, it is essential to blame Israel for the problems that the Bush administration is experiencing due its to faulty policy and the war in Iraq! — “If in doubt, blame Jews!” The American “Winograd report” on the war in Iraq is long overdue! It seems, by being able to produce a report critical of the government, that Israel is a stronger democracy than US.)