(Government Press Office)
The Jerusalem Post comments on what it calls 'The Olmert scandal', and states that if the prime minister cannot put this latest scandal to rest without delay, he must hand over the reins of power. The welfare of the country demands it.
Haaretz comments on the new allegations against Prime Minister Olmert, and states that he is not just another suspect in a long line of politicians, but to a large extent the person who symbolizes the entire system. The editor adds that the prime minister represents a losing system that may finally pass from politics after more and more people of his ilk are brought to justice.
Ma'ariv asserts that "Nothing is more destructive to social cohesion than corruption," and adds that "Only a few will be willing to risk their lives for a state that is seen as corrupt by its citizens."
Yediot Aharonot discusses Kadima's political future in light of its view that "This is Olmert's first and last term" as its leader. The editors believe that "Two years after its founding, Kadima is still not a political party, certainly not an established one. It is a collection of people, some good and worthy, who were chosen by the Sharon family…At the moment, Kadima is a one-time list that was formed on the basis of the Israeli voter's despair over the traditional parties. Today, it no longer has anything to sell…Kadima's current people – from Likud and Labor – have no home to return to, nobody wants them there…About the only possibility for Kadima in its present state is to immediately form a parliamentary bloc…with Labor and go to the next elections as a large centrist group (that currently numbers 48 MKs)…Maybe this will not happen but it is what needs to happen."
[Eitan Haber and Avi Simhon wrote today’s articles in Yediot Aharonot and Ma'ariv, respectively. Makor Rishon-Hatzofeh was unavailable today.]