Jerusalem – Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Wednesday that he has decided not to contend in the Kadima primary and would resign as soon as the new party leader was chosen, due to the criminal investigation that have embroiled him in recent months.
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Olmert made the announcement in a statement to the public from his official residence in Jerusalem on Wednesday evening.
The prime minister has been under official criminal investigation in recent months over allegations of corruption in his former capacities as Jerusalem mayor and trade minister.
Political sources had expected Olmert to announce that he would not run in upcoming leadership contest in his Kadima party, scheduled for September 17. This decision in effect signals an end to Olmert’s political career.
Olmert began the address by saying that despite having been beset by investigations during his tenure, he has improved the situation in Israel and continues to believe that peace is the most important track for the country.
The prime minister went on to say that as long as he was in power, he would work toward this goal of peace.
“I am proud to be the prime minister of a country that investigates its prime ministers,” he said. “The prime minister is not above the law, but he is in no way below it.”
The two most prominent investigations involve suspicions that Olmert took bribes from American businessman Morris Talansky, and charges he submitted duplicate claims for travel expenses which he allegedly used to fund family trips abroad. He has denied wrongdoing, but said he would resign if indicted.
Olmert’s announcement comes a day after Kadima said it had scheduled its leadership vote, an election that could lead to Olmert’s ouster. Olmert has not said publicly whether he intends to run.
The prime minister’s advisers in recent days have split into two groups: those who expect him to continue in his position and resign only if indicted, and those who have been urging him not to run in the primary elections and conclude his term with an air of respect.
On a different note, other analysts have surmised that during the address on Wednesday the prime minister will discuss developments in Israel’s indirect negotiations with Syria, the fourth round of which ended in Turkey on Wednesday.
good riddance!
You have shamed all of Israel.
You are directly responsible for hundreds of Jewish deaths.
You are a disgrace to the Jewish race.
You are a pandering, cheating, manipulative individual, with the sole agenda of self aggrandisement, career advancement and power.
DON’T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT.
TAKE YOU ILL GOTTEN MONEY AND SLINK OFF TO BERMUDA WHERE NOBODY HAS TO SEE YOU!
Rasha!
Oh Thank the Lord!
1:13 PM –
I love your style!
just in time, if i would have to look at this vile, rat faced creep any longer i would get sick. i just hope the criminal charges stick and he spends some time in prison
what is the whole timmul.
as we all know the satmar rabbi said the medina can not stand .all the time the news show that we are heading in that direction. evry president with a difrent scandel .
lets hope it should be done in a peacful way buy the un
Yeah right. I’ll believe it when I see it.