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Israeli PM fights for political life in bribery
scandal
Jerusalem— Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was
facing mounting calls for his resignation on Friday over a criminal
probe into allegations he took bribes from a millionaire US
financier.
Olmert vehemently denied any wrongdoing but said he would quit if he
is charged in a case that threatens to shake up the political
landscape at a crucial moment in Middle East peacemaking.
Details of the allegations were unveiled on Thursday after the
justice ministry lifted a gag-order in the case, which has been the
subject of a swirl of speculation for days. The timing of the
revelations was particularly embarrassing for the premier, coming as
Israel celebrated its 60th anniversary and one week before a
scheduled visit by US President George W. Bush.
The justice ministry said Olmert was being investigated over
suspicions he unlawfully received payments from a foreign
businessman during his time as mayor of Jerusalem and as industry
minister. “Citizens of Israel, I look you in the eye and I say to
you, in no uncertain terms, I have never taken a bribe, nor have I
unlawfully pocketed money,” Olmert said at a hastily convened press
conference on Thursday.
“If the attorney general decides to file an indictment against me I
shall resign immediately, even though I am not required to do so by
law.”
Olmert admitted he had received financial contributions for various
election campaigns from Jewish American businessman Morris Talansky,
75, but insisted they were not illegal.
The probe is the fifth into the dealings of Olmert before he became
prime minister in 2006.
Opposition calls for Olmert’s resignation have been mounting and
even his coalition partners are getting edgy. “It’s the straw that
broke the camel’s back, considering all the previous
investigations,” said Eytan Cabel, secretary general of the Labour
party.
Palestinian officials expressed fears the affair could affect the
peace process, particularly if early elections are called. “In the
immediate future, we fear this crisis could have an impact on talks
led through Egypt’s mediation for a truce (in the Gaza Strip),” said
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erakat.“In case of early elections, the
peace process will be put on hold,” Erakat told AFP.
A White House spokesman said there would be no change to the Middle
East trip by Bush, who is pushing for an Israeli-Palestinian peace
deal to be reached before he leaves office in January even though
little progress has been made since long-dormant negotiations were
restarted in November..—AFP
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