Israel News 25/07/2008

A day after the cabinet agreed to embark on a deal with Hizbullah in order to secure the return of IDF reservists Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the decision was a painful one and far from easy. While the exchange with Hizbullah is expected to be carried out in the coming weeks, negotiations for the release of soldier Gilad Schalit are still ongoing.07/01/08

The cabinet on Sunday began deliberating on whether Israel would accept the United-Nations mediated prisoner exchange deal with Hizbullah. At the start of the cabinet meeting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert declared he had deliberated over the issue for a long time but added that a decision would be made one way or another regarding the deal.06/29/08

At a carefully staged campaign rally in the aptly named town of Unity, New Hampshire, Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton joined forces, pledging to put the divisive campaign of the past 16 months behind them and come together in an effort to win back the White House. 06/29/08

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert embarrassed the Labor Party on Wednesday when he announced at the Knesset podium that he intends to run for reelection as Kadima chairman despite the deal reached overnight Tuesday in which Labor gave up its effort to initiate an early election. At the Knesset on Wednesday the prime minister was ridiculted and jeered, despite discussing the nation's most pressing issues. 06/26/08

Attending a special parliamentary session in his honor at the Knesset, French President Nicolas Sarkozy declared France would not allow Iran to obtain nuclear weapons, and would never let Israel stand alone. At the same time Sarkozy warned there will never be peace until Jerusalem becomes the capital of two people, Israel and the Palestinians, a solution is found to the refugee crisis and there is a halt to settlement building.06/23/08

Former Vice President Al Gore pledged on Monday to do all he could to help Barack Obama win the White House, saying it was crucial the United States has not only a new leader but a new vision for its future. Gore, one of the most prominent figures in the U.S. Democratic party and known around the world for his push to combat climate change, publicly backed the Illinois senator for the first time at a huge rally in Detroit. 06/18/08

At a Labor party faction meeting on Thursday, party chairman and defense minister Ehud Barak declared that while Israel seeks to solve the ongoing rocket fire on southern Israel in a peaceful manner it is also responsible for protecting its citizens.Barak warned that unless Kadima holds primaries and forms a government to his liking, he will lead the way to dissolving the Knesset thus paving the way for an early general election.06/12/08

The cabinet decided on Wednesday to give Egyptian mediation efforts a chance but at the same time instructed the army to prepare for a possible military operation in Gaza. In recent days government ministers have come out in support of a military operation raising doubts over to the successful outcome of Egypt's efforts to bring about a ceasefire.06/11/08

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Ehud Olmert failed to mention the situation in Gaza and instead focused on the results of his recent visit to the United States. Ministers arriving to attend the cabinent meeting, however, were less interested in the Prime Minister's recent visit to the United States. 06/10/08

Former Justice Minister and Shinui Party chairman Yosef (Tommy) Lapid has died, aged 77. Lapid was hospitalized in a serious condition at Tel Aviv's Ichilov Hospital last week and succumbed to a long battle with cancer late Saturday night. 06/01/08

Members of the Kadima Party in France celebrated the official opening of its office this week together with the Kadima Zionist Youth Movement at a gathering in Paris. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni attended the event. Newly appointed President of Kadima France Claude Solarz welcomed the Israeli minister and the party's members.05/30/08

At a dramatic press conference on Wednesday, Defense Minister Ehud Barak called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to resign, saying he did not believe Olmert was capable of running the country and his own personal affairs at the same time.05/28/08

American businessman Morris Talansky, the key witness in the recent police investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, arrived at the Jerusalem District Court Tuesday for his pre-trial deposition in the case. Talansky's deposition – which will be considered as trial testimony in any future legal proceeding in the case, should an indictment by filed – was given in English before a three-judge panel, presided over by District Court Chief Justice Mosia Arad and the honorable Jacob Zaban and Moshe Sobel. 05/27/08.

PM Ehud Olmert is currently under investigation on suspicions of receiving cash envelopes from American businessman Moshe Talansky, the key witness in the trial that has rocked Israel’s political arena. Pato’s humor. 05/26/08

Members of Kadima from abroad and locally met at a gala event for Kadima party members in Kfar Truman last Saturday to discuss their visions for Kadima's future. At the event organized by Kadima and the Zionist Youth Movement, members from all over the world gathered to discuss the party's role and Israel's future.05/15/08