Free Republic

Israel can't abide political corruption Father Raymond J. De Souza in Jerusalem, National Post Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007 There are the scandals themselves. Then there is the scandal of the scandals. The consequences are greater here in Israel; public officials bear a greater burden of responsibility. Starting at the top, the presidency of Israel is a largely ceremonial position, with the head of state's main role being to lend dignity and decorum to public life. That is rather hard to do when you are accused of raping two women. The Attorney-General said last month that an indictment may...

Summary of Editorials from the Hebrew Press 6 Feb 2005 (Government Press Office) Haaretz - http://www.haaretzdaily.comMa'ariv - http://www.maariv.co.ilYediot Aharonot - http://www.ynet.co.ilGlobes - http://www.globes.co.ilJerusalem Post - http://www.jpost.comHazofeh - http://www.hazofe.co.il Yediot Aharonot surveys the maneuvering ahead of Tuesday’s summit at Sharm e-Sheikh and acknowledges that many are saying that, “We have already seen this movie.” The editors assert that, “The substantive question, the answer to which will be given only at the Sharm summit, is whether, at the moment of truth, the two leaders will succeed in proving that this time this is a new movie.” Hatzofeh commends President Moshe Katsav’s...

Swiss Foreign Minister to visit Israel 6 Feb 2005The Foreign Minister of Switzerland, Micheline Calmy-Rey is interested in learning directly about developments in the peace process, and to meet with the Israeli public. This is Ms. Calmy-Rey’s first visit to Israel. (Communicated by the Foreign Ministry Spokesman) The Foreign Minister of Switzerland, Micheline Calmy-Rey, will arrive in Israel for a visit on Sunday, February 6, as a guest of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom. During the course of the visit, Minister Calmy-Rey will meet with the President of Israel Moshe Katsav, Vice Premier Shimon Peres, Vice Prime...

Graffiti with Sharon as target drawn on major Jerusalem intersection Large inscription with target in its center shows arrows pointing in direction of houses of PM, Katzav and Netanyahu, who live nearby. Tal Yamin-Wolfowitz A large inscription with a target in its center indicating possible incitement against Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, President Moshe Katzav and Finance Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was drawn during Yom Kippur on a major intersection in Jerusalem. The graffiti, which shows arrows pointing in the direction of the houses of the three, who live nearby, with an image of a suicide bomber in the center of...

Nov. 26, 2003 Katzav hosts Geneva Initiative architects By GIL HOFFMAN President Moshe Katzav hosted the Palestinian signatories to the Geneva Initiative at Beit Ha-Nassi (the President's residence) Wednesday. At the start of the meeting, former Palestinian minister Yasser Abed Rabo said that his delegation is "extending the hand of peace to Israel." "We are looking for the support of all Israelis who want peace in this land to help create a bridge to peace," Abed Rabo said. "Both sides have suffered a lot. We hope to put an end to the suffering and start a new era of friendship,...

Feb. 3, 2003 National Union: we won't join govt. that supports creation of Palestinian state (UPDATE) By GREER FAY CASHMANThe National Union party has just finished its consultations with President Moshe Katsav about joining a coalition government. MK Tsvi Hendel, heading the National Union delegations, told Katsav that if Sharon forms a right wing government, which, as its basic guideline does not include a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River, then they (National Union) would be willing to be part of that government. However if the basic guideline of the new government does include a Palestinian state then they...

Discordance In Bid For Unity Official coalition negotiations will begin only after President Moshe Katzav officially charges Ariel Sharon with forming the next government. In the meantime, Sharon's plan to form a broad-based government continues to face difficulties. He is not concerned, however. "Nothing in my life has been easy," he said. The leaders of the second and third largest parties - Amram Mitzna of Labor and Tommy Lapid of anti-hareidi Shinui - met today, but neither convinced the other to accept his position. Lapid tried to persuade Mitzna to agree to enter a unity government, while the latter wants...

Straight Talk From The President In face of the world's demand to investigate Israel's behavior during the Jenin battles, President Moshe Katzav had this to say today: "With all due respect to self-righteousness, the international community must stop applying a double-standard. I do not understand why the world community has been silent for over one and a half years in the face of the cruel and brutal massacres that have been perpetrated against the Jewish population throughout the country. "The world has been silent even as terrorists have taken over the Church of the Nativity, looted it and desecrated it....