In a Thursday afternoon press conference, opposition leader MK Binyamin Netanyahu launched a sharp attack against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, stating one may not use the political process as an “Ir Miklat” (City of Refuge), accusing the prime minister of placing his own personal survival over national interests.

Netanyahu in a live address to the nation was addressing Likud faction members, accusing Olmert of intentionally moving ahead the talks with Syria, and carefully timing the release of the information as part of the effort to divert attention from the police investigation against him.

The prime minister is “up to his neck” in investigations he explained, stating adamantly that Olmert does not have a mandate to conduct high-level negotiations.

Netanyahu called on all parties, right and left, to agree on a date for early elections to bring an end to the current administration.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)