January 16, 2010
The Amazing Ehudini
The Amazing Ehudini 
Edna Spennato 2009.
Photomontage made on 1 February 2009.
Click on image to enlarge
Originally published at Auntie Ziona as The Amazing Ehudini
Also at these links: Kenny’s Sideshow, Window Into Palestine, BuJ Al Arab, Uprooted Palestinians.
Updated 17 April 2010:
Olmert faces new corruption charge
Ehud Olmert, the former Israeli prime minister, who left office last year due to corruption charges, has been identified as a key suspect in separate bribery charges.
Police said on Thursday that Olmert, 63, was suspected in a case in which millions of dollars were exchanged for the promotion of real estate projects, including a controversal housing scheme in Jerusalem in which zoning laws had to be changed.
Olmert is suspected of taking almost $1m in bribes during the time of the Holyland residential project in the 1990s, when he was the mayor of Jerusalem…
…The case has been billed as Israel’s “real estate scandal of the century” in the local media. Olmert’s picture had previously been placed next to the story in newspapers, although the gag order prevented the “public figure” allegedly involved from being named.
Al Jazeera’s Jacky Rowland, in Jerusalem, said: “An investigating judge called it one of the worst corruption cases in the history of Israel.
“Police suspect that he benefitted from backhanders to change planning laws. Olmert is expected to speak later.”
Olmert was already facing three different charges of corruption.
He was forced to step down as prime minister last year after police accused him of double and triple-billing Jewish organisations for trips abroad and taking the extra money.
However, police have said that the new charges are much bigger then those previously filed against him.
Read in full here.
Updated 25 February 2010:
Trial Against Israeli ex-PM begins
JERUSALEM, Feb. 25 (UPI) — Prosecutors expressed confidence Thursday evidence would prove former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was guilty of fraud, tax evasion and breach of trust.
Defense attorneys countered that the prosecution knows its evidence was inadequate to prove its case against Olmert, The Jerusalem Post reported.
Olmert’s trial opened Thursday in the Jerusalem District Court. He was indicted for fraudulent receipt of goods, false registration of corporate documents, fraud, breach of trust, tax and tax evasion on three different issues…
Read in full here.
September 2009:
Trial against former premier Olmert opens in Israel
Jerusalem – The first trial in Israeli history against a former premier opened Friday in Jerusalem’s District Court. Almost exactly a year after he resigned amid corruption allegations, former premier Ehud Olmert made his first court appearance, in what was largely a preliminary procedural hearing…
As Olmer arrived at the court he told reporters: “I arrived here as a man innocent of any crimes, and I believe I will leave here as a man innocent of any crimes.”…
The indictments themselves were filed in August.
They include charges of fraud under aggravated circumstances, breach of trust, forging of corporate documents, and failure to report income. Olmert is not, however, facing charges of bribery, as the police had recommended to prosecutors.
Amongst other charges, he is suspected of having submitted multiple times over the same travel expenses for trips abroad to different government bodies and Jewish organizations.
The ex-premier allegedly pocketed the excesses, which accumulated in a special account managed by his travel agent and used for private trips with his family. That alleged corruption scandal became known in the Israeli media as Rishon Tours, after the travel agency, or as “Olmertours.”
The former premier is also suspected of having accepted envelopes with large amounts of cash from Jewish-American businessman Morris Talansky. Olmert insists they constituted legitimate donations.
His office manager Zaken allegedly in many cases accepted the money on his behalf.
Lastly, Olmert stands accused of cronyism, allegedly giving preferential treatment to a factory represented by a friend of his, Uri Messer, when he served as trade and industry minister…
Although Olmert is the first former or current Israeli premier ever to stand trial on criminal charges, but the proceedings come as Israel’s political elite is tarnished by a host of corruption and other scandals….
January 14, 2010
Barak Faces Arrest for War Crimes
Barak Faces Arrest for War Crimes Edna Spennato 2009.
Photomontage made on 10 January 2009.
Click on image to enlarge
Originally published at Auntie Ziona as Will Barak Follow in Eichmann’s Footsteps?
Also at these links: Kenny’s Sideshow, Window Into Palestine, Europalestine, BuJ Al Arab, Wake Up From Your Slumber, Uprooted Palestinians.
This photomontage was based on the famous photograph of Eichmann taken at his trial.
Turkish Organization: Arrest Barak for War crimes When He Arrives Here
AL – MANAR TV 14/01/201014/01/2010 Despite the intensifying crisis between Israel and Turkey, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak is insisting to follow through with his scheduled plans to visit Turkey next week. However, on Thursday it became clear that an arrest warrant may await him there.
One of the major human rights organizations in Turkey, Mazlumder, requested from the Turkish state prosecution to order that Barak be arrested upon landing in the country for what they call “his responsibility for war crimes during Operation Cast Lead….”
More at this link.
Israeli officers fear UK arrest
Al Jazeera 5 January 2010. A group of Israeli military officers have delayed an official visit to Britain over fears they could be arrested on war crimes charges.
Danny Ayalon, Israel’s deputy foreign minister, said on Tuesday that four officers invited to the UK by the British army would not be travelling “as we do not have a 100 per cent guarantee that they will not become objects of criminal lawsuits”.
The officers, who hold ranks from major to colonel, are the latest in a string of Israeli politicians and military officials to call off travel to Britain due to fears over possible legal action…
Read in full here.
January 13, 2010
The Rat Patrol
The Rat Patrol Edna Spennato 2009.
Photomontage made on 9 February 2009.
Click on image to enlarge
Originally published at Auntie Ziona as The Ratalach Patrol
Also at these links: Window into Palestine, Wake Up From Your Slumber, Uprooted Palestinians.
A second Gaza war around the corner?
Hasan Abu Nimah, The Electronic Intifada, 13 January 2010
Israel is once again complaining that its “security” is being threatened by new eruptions of violence along the border with Gaza. About two dozen Qassam rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza in recent days. Although they fell in (and may have been deliberately targeted at) open areas, causing no damage or injuries, Israel took revenge with destructive air raids that did cause damage and killed several people, including a 15-year-old boy.
Before asking who should stop first, one should recall who started the latest ugly round of violence….
More at this link.
Massive Israeli Biological Attack Drill Begins
Al-ManarTV: 13/01/2010 A two-day exercise simulating a response to a biological warfare attack will begin Wednesday in the Dan region. The exercise, which will be the largest of its kind in Israel’s history, will be carried out in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan and Holon, seeks to evaluate the ability of the Home Front, medical services, rescue teams and municipal authorities to respond to conditions created by a biological catastrophe caused either by terrorists or by some kind of accident….
Read in full here.
February 10, 2009
Livni and Barak, the Shepherds and Their Flock
Like Lambs to the Slaughter Edna Spennato 2009.
Photomontage made on 5 Jan 2009.
Click on image to enlarge.
Published at these links: Kenny’s Sideshow, Auntie Ziona, Uprooted Palestinians, WUFYS, Ziopedia, A-Z-C.
No Lamb Left Behind Edna Spennato 2009.
Photomontage made on 5 Jan 2009.
Click on image to enlarge.
Published at these links: Auntie Ziona, WUFYS, Ziopedia,Uprooted Palestinians.
She Who Leadeth the Chosen Edna Spennato 2009.
Photomontage made on 4 Jan 2009.
Click on image to enlarge.
Published at these links: Beyond the Fringe, Auntie Ziona, Uprooted Palestinians, WUFYS, Ziopedia.
Mundo dos Sonhos 