Barak Calls for Olmert to Quit

Israel's defense minister told Ehud Olmert to take a leave of absence or step down while he battles corruption charges, reports the BBC, and threatened to leave the country's governing coalition if he refused. "The prime minister needs to disconnect himself from the day-to-day management of the government," said Ehud Barak. A US businessman testified yesterday that he gave $150,000 in contributions to Olmert in the last 15 years, the Guardian reports.

Morris Talansky said some of the money went to luxuries such as expensive hotels, and that he had been “disturbed” Olmert wanted cash. Talansky said the money was simply a contribution to Olmert, and that he never gained from any favors. He said he believed Olmert could reach out to the US Jewish community. "That's why I overlooked a lot of things," Talansky said. "Maybe I shouldn't have." (More Ehud Olmert stories.)