IDF Chiefs of Staff are always very prominent and important figures in Israeli politics and society. They frequently enter politics after they retire (Moshe Dayan, as an example) and at least two I can think of off the top of my head have become prime ministers (Rabin and Barak). The current one, Dan Halutz, has had a particularly prominent role in the current war.
Now it is being reported that in the hours between the original kidnapping of the soldiers on the Lebanon border and the commencement of full-scale hostilities, Halutz went to a branch of the Bank Leumi and sold off his investment portfolio.
The pure facts of the matter are not in dispute. Halutz admits that he sold off the portfolio at the time in question but says it was unrelated to the events of that day.
Said Halutz: “It was my portfolio of shares, on which I had lost NIS 25,000. It is true that I sold the portfolio on July 12, 2006, but it is impossible to link that to the war. At the time I did not expect or think that there would be a war … I am a citizen too and have my own economic affairs. This has stained [my reputation] for no reason and is unworthy of any further comment.”
Bank Leumi has ordered an investigation into the source of the leak.
New statement from George Allen on the “Macaca” incident:
“I also made up a nickname for the cameraman, which was in no way intended to be racially derogatory. Any insinuations to the contrary are completely false.”
The Republican senate nominee from Connecticut — who no Republican will endorse — makes his debut.
Groups on the right and left get together to muckrake congressional earmarks.
Bush Secret Decoder Ring / Dictionary for Insiders.
Central Front in the War on Terror = Geographical setting of Failed Bush Policy
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After “Macaca” — the American Prospect rakes new muck on Sen. George Allen (R-VA) and his involvement with a dubious high-tech firm. That and other news of the day in today’s Daily Muck.
“Good judgment is an essential part of good governance.”
Ned Lamont writes an Op-Ed for The Wall Street Journal.
After Tom DeLay… TX-22 is looking like it might be a train wreck for the Republicans.
Sen. Allen/Macaca Fall-out Watch: Allen to sit down with Indian-American leaders in damage control effort.