News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Politicians from across the political spectrum called on Prime Minister Olmert to resign Tuesday following pre-trial testimony delivered by American businessman Moshe Talansky that Olmert accepted gifts and cash payouts of at least $150,000.

MK Limor Livnat (Likud) said the testimony "proves" that Olmert should resign and that Israel needs new elections. On the other side of the political landscape, MK Ran Cohen (Meretz) said that despite his support for Olmert's plans to cede parts of the Land of Israel to Arabs, the current crisis should be enough for the prime minister to resign.

"If Talansky's testimony is accurate," he said, "Olmert cannot sit for even one more day in the prime minister's chair."