The Christian Science Monitor May 15, 7:40 AM EDT
US billionaire: Allegations in Olmert case 'insulting'
By JOSEF FEDERMAN Associated Press Writer
JERUSALEM (AP) -- A Jewish-American billionaire questioned by
police as part of a corruption investigation into Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert said Thursday he has never given money to
the Israeli leader and called suggestions of any wrongdoing
"insulting."
S. Daniel Abraham, a philanthropist who made his fortune as
founder of Slim-Fast food products, was summoned by police
this week to discuss his ties with Olmert. Police suspect
Olmert accepted hundreds of thousands of dollars in illegal
donations in the U.S., either for campaign financing or
possibly as bribes.
"Of course I never gave any money to Ehud Olmert. The very
question is insulting to me," Abraham told Israel Army Radio.
"This is my reputation at stake and I have no reason to risk
it."
Abraham, a strong sup****ter of Israel who is in the country
during its 60th anniversary celebrations, said he believes
Olmert is honest and "one of the best prime ministers we have
ever had."
The police investigation has cast a cloud over the country's
celebrations, raised doubts about Olmert's ability to
negotiate a peace deal with the Palestinians and embarrassed
the prime minister at a time when he should be enjoying the
spotlight.
Another Jewish-American billionaire, Sheldon Adelson, also
gave a statement to police this week as part of the
investigation. At a Wednesday gala, the casino mogul sat in
the front row with President Bush, first lady Laura Bush and
other U.S. and Israeli officials, including Olmert.
The focus of the investigation has been on the role of Morris
Talansky, an American businessman who has said he raised money
for Olmert. Talansky, who has denied trying to bribe Olmert
and said he believed all contributions were legal, is
scheduled to give a court deposition on May 25.
Olmert on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to bar some of
Talansky's testimony, a court spokeswoman said.
Police said last week that they suspect Olmert accepted large
sums of cash from Talansky. Some of the donations are believed
to have taken place during Olmert's 10-year tenure as mayor of
Jerusalem as well as while he served as trade minister early
this decade. Olmert became prime minister in 2006.
Olmert has denied breaking any laws and promised to resign if
indicted.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/ISRAEL_OLMERT?
SITE=MABOC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2008-05-15-07-
40-09
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A government, of, by, and, for: Rich, Elite, Freemasons.
But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the
light:
for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
The light ****neth in darkness;
and the darkness comprehended it not.
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be
single,
thy whole body shall be full of light.
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of
darkness.
If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great
is that darkness!
Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead,
and Christ shall give thee light.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
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