Win, lose or draft

The country is still buzzing over Ehud Olmert’s acquittals on Tuesday, with commentators speculating on how his trial is already affecting the political situation and whether he can make a comeback.

Israel Hayom tries to dampen the fervor with a front-page headline that quotes from a survey it conducted, “The majority of the public: Olmert can’t come back.” Inside, the survey stated that 55% of the people don’t think that Olmert can return, compared to only 26.8% who thought he could. Other results of the survey: 47.7% thought that state prosecutor Moshe Lador does not need to resign, and despite the verdict 37.5% still think Olmert is guilty (dwarfed only by the 38.6% who answered that they don’t know).

Maariv’s front-page headline is about one of the witnesses in the Rishon Tours case against Olmert. The paper dedicates a lot of space to the article, which is just a preview of a longer story to be published in the weekend supplement. The preview relates to one of Olmert’s travel coordinators while he was mayor of Jerusalem, and her ostensible role in the case.

Yedioth Ahronoth combines the Olmert case with the latest developments in the universal draft law in their headline, “The Olmert effect.” Likud and Kadima are arguing about draft quotas and sanctions while negotiating a new law to replace the Tal Law that expires on August 1. Both parties are now accusing each other of wanting new elections to prevent Olmert from returning to politics. Apparently they didn’t see the Israel Hayom survey.

Haaretz’s front-page headline paraphrases the pessimistic attitude of Kadima about the draft law, “Ya’alon and Plesner: Little chance to formulate a draft law.” Despite Ya’alon’s negative assessment, the article quotes Kadima chairman Shaul Mofaz as he left a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu last night. “We have decided to try again to move forward. We joined the coalition to pass this law, and not to leave it.”

Lower taxes?

Maariv reports that the customs tax on a variety of products will be reduced, some by 100%. Household appliances like washing machines, vacuum cleaners, and microwaves will not have any custom taxes. Beef, which has a tax of 190%, would be reduced to 90% for the next four years. Maariv states that the official reason for the reductions is based on the recommendations of the Trajtenberg committee formed in the wake of last summer’s socioeconomic protests, but Maariv suspects something else, “Election year economics.”

Under the new proposal, taxes won’t be reduced on automobiles but that hasn’t stopped the treasury from buying new BMWs for every government minister. The plan to purchase BMWs, which cost 400,000 shekels, has provoked outrage but defending the plan, Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz stated, “BMW gave us a discount to win [the contract].” Eli Yishai is not as enthusiastic. “It’s not possible while we are wrestling with the cost of living and while tens of thousands of Israeli families can’t pay their bills, government ministers will be driving extravagant cars.”

To investigate or not to investigate

Israel Hayom reports that the mayor of Afula, Avi Alkavetz, was arrested along with three employees on suspicion of bribery, fraud and breach of trust. Also arrested were the director and two clerks from the education and city budget departments. An associate for the mayor stated that “There is nothing behind these accusations.”

While police in the north were investigating the mayor in Afula, Haaretz reports that police in Ramat Gan refused to address the complaint of a young woman who was a victim of sexual assault. According to the story, a British man attacked the young woman on a bus from Jerusalem to Bnei Brak. After finding a picture and name of her assailant online she went to the police in Ramat Gan to file a complaint. But claiming they were too busy, the police refused to take her complaint and said she should come back the next day.

Israel Hayom finally answers the age-old question: Which military unit is the fittest? The brigade with the best physical and operational fitness is the paratroopers, followed by the infantry field school and in third place is the officers training school. The results come from a study at the army’s fitness facility, where officers were given a number of challenges including field navigation, wilderness runs, and running in the sea and sand.

Haaretz reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu is initiating a negative PR campaign for Israel for citizens of Eritrea and Sudan, highlighting that coming to Israel is not “worthwhile.” The campaign is part of a plan to deter refugees from Sudan and Eritrea from coming to Israel to look for work. Critics worry that the plan could backfire on Israel and ultimately hurt its image.