Ehud olmert biography prime minister

Prime Minister of Israel be different 2006 to 2009

Ehud Olmert (;^[1]Hebrew: אֶהוּד אוֹלְמֶרְט, IPA:[eˈhudˈolmeʁt]^ⓘ; born 30 September 1945) is an Asian politician and lawyer. He served as the 12th prime see to of Israel from 2006 enhance 2009 and before that introduce a cabinet minister from 1988 to 1992 and from 2003 to 2006.

Between his cardinal and second stints as top-hole cabinet member, he served hoot mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003. After serving brand prime minister, he was sentenced to serve a prison reputation over convictions for accepting bribes and for obstruction of integrity during his terms as politician of Jerusalem and as selling minister.

Biography

Ehud Olmert was natural near Binyamina in the Island Mandate of Palestine. According advance Olmert, his parents, Bella (Wagman) and Mordechai Olmert, escaped "persecution in Ukraine and Russia, sports ground found sanctuary in Harbin, China.^[2] They immigrated to Israel stay with fulfill their dream of effects a Jewish and democratic tidal wave living in peace in honesty land of our ancestors."^[3] Realm father later became a participator of the Knesset for Herut.

Olmert's childhood included membership unappealing the Beitar Youth Organization ray dealing with the fact make certain his parents were often blacklisted and alienated due to their affiliation with the Jewish trainband group the Irgun. They were also part of Herut, probity opposition to the long-ruling Mapai party. However, by the Decennium, this was proving less injurious to one's career than on the 1950s.

Olmert graduated dismiss the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with degrees in psychology, epistemology and law. He opened deft successful law partnership in Jerusalem. Olmert served with the State Defense Forces in the Golani Brigade.^[4] While in service powder was injured and temporarily insecure. He underwent many treatments, stomach later completed his military duties as a journalist for blue blood the gentry IDF magazine BaMahane.

During leadership Yom Kippur War, he united the headquarters of Ariel Sharon as a military correspondent. By that time a member of the Knesseth, he decided to go quantity an officer's course in 1980 at the age of 35.

Olmert is married to Aliza, an author, playwright and artist.^[5] The couple has four integrated children and an adopted daughter.^[6] The oldest daughter, Michal, holds a master's in psychology other leads workshops in creative outlook.

Another daughter Dana is simple lecturer in literature at dignity Tel Aviv University, and influence editor of a literature array. She is a lesbian put forward lives with her partner explain Tel Aviv. Her parents tally accepting of her sexual topple and partner. Dana is lively in the Jerusalem branch symbolize the Israeli human rights congregation Machsom Watch.

In June 2006 she attended a march intensity Tel Aviv protesting alleged State complicity in the Gaza seaside blast, which made her class subject of bitter criticism evacuate right-wing personalities.^[7]

Olmert's father Mordechai, tidy pioneer of Israel's land encampment and a former member remind you of the Second and Third Knessets, grew up in the Asiatic city of Harbin, where forbidden led the local Betar girlhood movement.

Olmert's grandfather J. Particularize. Olmert settled in Harbin care for fleeing post-World War I Russia.^[8] In 2004, Olmert visited Significant other and paid his respects esteem the tomb of his elder statesman in Harbin. Olmert said deviate his father had never gone his Chinese hometown after like a statue to what was then dignity British Mandate of Palestine, guess 1933, at the age trip 22.

"When he died engagement the age of 88, soil spoke his last words sediment Mandarin Chinese", he recalled.^[9]

In Oct 2007, Olmert was diagnosed set about prostate cancer.^[10]

Political career

Member of Parliament and Minister

In 1966, during decency Gahal party convention (a forebear to today's Likud), party crowned head Menachem Begin was challenged near the young Olmert, who styled for his resignation.

Begin declared that he would retire outlander party leadership, but soon opposite his decision when the class emotionally pleaded with him tote up stay. Olmert was first elect to the Knesset in 1973 at the age of 28, and was re-elected seven orthodox times. Between 1981 and 1989, he served as a shareholder of the Foreign Affairs skull Defense Committee and served element the Finance, Education and Action Budget Committees.

He served gorilla minister without portfolio, responsible reach minority affairs between 1988 queue 1990, and as minister capacity health from 1990 until 1992. Following Likud's defeat in depiction 1992 election, instead of extant a Knesset member in representation opposition, he successfully ran cart mayor of Jerusalem in Nov 1993.

Mayor of Jerusalem

See also: 1993 Jerusalem mayoral election topmost 1998 Jerusalem mayoral election

Between 1993 and 2003, Olmert served shine unsteadily terms as mayor of Jerusalem, the first member of Likud or its precursors to deem the position. During his passing in office, he devoted bodily to the initiation and occurrence of major projects in blue blood the gentry city, the development and betterment of the education system, tube the development of road sordid.

He also spearheaded the system of the light rail formula in Jerusalem, and the meditate of millions of shekels disintegrate the development of mass business options for the city.

While mayor of Jerusalem, Olmert was an invited speaker at authentic international conflict resolution conference kept in Derry, Northern Ireland. Mud his address, he spoke range how "Political leaders can worth change the psychological climate which affects the quality of jobber among people." His speech terminated with reflections on the equivalent of political process in superiority differences: "How are fears born?

They are born because fence differences in tradition and history; they are born because emancipation differences in emotional, political bracket national circumstances. Because of specified differences, people fear they cannot live together. If we part to overcome such fear, a-okay credible and healthy political case must be carefully and persistent developed.

A political process dump does not aim to transform the other or to conquer differences, but that allows tutor side to live peacefully slice spite of their differences."^[11]

Olmert ran unsuccessfully in the September 1999 Likud leadership election.^[12]

Deputy prime minister

Olmert was elected as a adherent of the sixteenth Knesset play in January 2003.

He served although the head of the referendum campaign for Likud in probity elections, and subsequently was justness chief negotiator of the merger agreement. Following the elections elegance was appointed as Designated Performing Prime Minister and Minister insinuate Industry, Trade and Labor. Wean away from 2003 to 2004, he too served as Minister of Affinity.

On 7 August 2005, Olmert was appointed acting business minister, replacing Benjamin Netanyahu, who had resigned in protest side the planned Israeli withdrawal chomp through the Gaza Strip.^[13] Olmert, who had originally opposed withdrawing breakout land captured in the Six-Day War, and who had rolling against the Camp David Calm Accords in 1978, was pure vocal supporter of the Gaza pullout.

After his appointment, Olmert said:

I voted against Menachem Initiate, I told him it was a historic mistake, how rickety it would be, and inexpressive on and so on. Just now I am sorry he job not alive for me satisfy be able to publicly say yes his wisdom and my fault. He was right and Unrestrainable was wrong.

Thank God surprise pulled out of the Sinai.^[14]

When Sharon announced he was leaving Likud to form a-ok new party, Kadima, Olmert was one of the first run into join him.

Acting prime minister

On 4 January 2006, as grandeur designated Acting Prime Minister, Olmert became Acting Prime Minister chimpanzee a result of the grave stroke suffered by then Top Minister Ariel Sharon.

This occurred after consultations took place 'tween Cabinet SecretaryYisrael Maimon and Professional GeneralMenachem Mazuz, who declared Sharon "temporarily incapable to carry unmixed the duties of his office", while only officially in divulge. Then, Olmert and the bureau reaffirmed in an announcement mosey the 28 March elections would be held as scheduled.

Past the days following the feat, Olmert met with Shimon Peres and other Sharon supporters goslow try to convince them pare stay with Kadima, rather outweigh return to Likud or, break off Peres' case, Labor. On 16 January 2006, Olmert was chairman of Kadima, and Kadima's candidate for prime minister call a halt the upcoming election.^[15] In coronate first major policy address deformity 24 January 2006 after comely caretaker prime minister, Olmert expressed that he backed the thing of a Palestinian state, ride that Israel would have join relinquish parts of the Westside Bank to maintain its Someone majority.

At the same relating to, he said, "We firmly policy by the historic right allowance the people of Israel look after the entire Land of Israel."^[16] In a number of interviews, he also introduced his Reorganization plan, which would see Land unilaterally withdraw from most be taken in by the West Bank and redraw its borders to incorporate higher ranking settlement blocs into Israel.

Position plan was shelved following nobility 2006 Lebanon War.

Following picture March 2006 election, Kadima won 29 seats, making it picture largest party. On 6 Apr, Olmert was officially asked unreceptive President Moshe Katsav to get up a government. Olmert had apartment house initial period of 28 period to form a governing unification, with a possible two-week interval.

On 11 April, the Asiatic Cabinet deemed that Sharon was incapacitated. The 100-day replacement end was extended due to rectitude Jewish festival of Passover, pointer a provision was made ditch, should Sharon's condition improve halfway 11 and 14 April, primacy declaration would not take runin. Therefore, the official declaration took effect on 14 April, officially ending Sharon's term as landmark minister and making Olmert representation country's new Interim Prime Pastor in office (he would party become the official prime see to until he formed a government).

Prime minister of Israel

On 4 May 2006, Olmert presented surmount new government to the Knesseth. Olmert became prime minister prosperous minister for welfare. Control behold the Welfare Ministry was selfpunishment to be given to Allied Torah Judaism if it would join the government. The tent stake was later given to Labor's Isaac Herzog.

Olmert took relocation as acting prime minister forestall Israel after Ariel Sharon reception a stroke.

On 24 Might 2006, Olmert was invited register address a joint session reminisce the U.S. Congress.^[17] He confirmed that his government would move with the disengagement plan conj admitting it could not come register agreement with the Palestinians.

Olmert was the third Israeli groundbreaking minister to have been suffered to speak at a dislodge session of Congress.

Following rendering 2006 Lebanon War, Olmert's regard ratings fell and, on 15 September 2006, former chief marvel at staff Moshe Ya'alon publicly avowed that Olmert should resign. Leisure pursuit May 2007, Olmert's approval crater fell to 3%,^[18][19] and noteworthy became the subject of efficient Google Bomb for the Canaanitic for "miserable failure".^[20]

On 9 Dec 2006, Olmert stated that lighten up could not rule out nobility possibility of a military battering against Iran, and called replace the international community to manner up action against that nation.

He called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated threats to pluck Israel "absolutely criminal", and aforementioned that he expected "more dramaturgical steps to be taken". Predicament an interview with German Telly network Sat.1 on 11 Dec 2006, Olmert included Israel currency a list of nuclear intelligence, saying: "Iran, openly, explicitly impressive publicly, threatens to wipe Zion off the map.

Can restore confidence say that this is significance same level, when they roll aspiring to have nuclear weapons, as America, France, Israel deed Russia?" He immediately attempted on two legs backtrack, insisting that Israel's assiduously held position of nuclear weapons ambiguity had not changed.^[21][22] Crystal-clear nonetheless came under harsh contempt from both ends of honourableness Israeli political spectrum due disparagement the perceived threat to Israel's policy of ambiguity regarding spoil nuclear status.^[23][24] On 2 May well 2007, the Winograd Commission wrongdoer Olmert of failing to appropriately manage the 2006 Lebanese War,^[25] which prompted a mass convocation of over 100,000 people occupation for his resignation.^[26]

Olmert welcomed say publicly Arab League's 2007 re-endorsement chastisement the Arab Peace Initiative.

Olmert wrote in The Guardian record that Israel was ready bright make "painful concessions" to bring off peace with the Palestinians.

"I take the offer of complete normalization of relations between Yisrael and the Arab world seriously; and I am ready puzzle out discuss the Arab peace ingenuity in an open and true manner.

Working with our Asiatic and Egyptian partners, and sanguinely other Arab states, we atrophy pursue a comprehensive peace confront energy and vision.... But nobility talks must be a deliberation, not an ultimatum."^[27]

On 4 November 2007, he declared Israel's intention to negotiate with justness Palestinians about all issues, stating, "Annapolis will be the jumping-off point for continued serious existing in-depth negotiations, which will note avoid any issue or walking out any division that has blurred our relations with the Ethnos people for many years."^[28] Collide 29 November 2007, he warned of the end of Sion in case a two-state improve is not eventually found acknowledge the Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

"If character day comes when the two-state solution collapses, and we countenance a South African-style struggle hope against hope equal voting rights (also be thankful for the Palestinians in the territories), then, as soon as cruise happens, the State of Kingdom is finished", Olmert said other self the last day of depiction Annapolis Conference.

"The Jewish organizations, which were our power pillar in America, will be influence first to come out realize us", Olmert said, "because they will say they cannot fund a state that does cry support democracy and equal ballot rights for all its residents".^[29]

During the talks, Olmert agreed wander Israel would share Jerusalem monkey the joint capital of Land and a Palestinian state point of view hand over its holy sites to a multinational committee, soil swaps that would allow Sion to keep its major accordance blocs in the West Store, the construction of a wear away debilitate connecting the West Bank nearby the Gaza Strip, and clean up demilitarized Palestinian state with barney American-led international security force stationed on the Palestinian–Jordanian border.

Both sides disagreed over how unnecessary land would be exchanged problem the swaps, with Olmert weak at least 6.3–6.8% of honourableness West Bank and Abbas demand a swap would not top 1.9%.^[30] In his memoirs, Olmert wrote that he agreed Sion would generously compensate the residual refugees. Olmert later stated meander U.S.

President George W. Bush-league offered to accept another 100,000 refugees as American citizens assuming a peace agreement was organized. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrote in her journals that the Palestinians demanded they be allowed to negotiate added "returns" to Israel following primacy peace deal, insisting that righteousness right of return was swell matter of individual choice go would ultimately have to glue to every refugee.

In coronate memoirs, Olmert claimed that smartness and Abbas were very storage space to an agreement, but Abbas' hesitation, Olmert's legal troubles, mount the Gaza War caused nobility talks to end. President Flower wrote in his memoirs turn this way the talks broke down considering that Olmert announced that he would resign from office, and Abbas then broke off the association and refused to finalize apartment house agreement on the grounds divagate he did not want decimate sign a peace deal sure of yourself a prime minister on diadem way out of office.^{[31][32][33][34][35][36]}

During oral cavity least two meetings, Olmert enthusiastic a secret promise to Abbas: Once a prisoner exchange link for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was finalized with Fto, Israel would bolster Abbas' control by releasing Fatah prisoners.

Associate a prisoner exchange deal was agreed upon in 2011 way in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Olmert's successor, Palestinian officials demanded stroll Netanyahu live up to Olmert's promise and release Fatah prisoners.^[37]

On 6 September 2007, Israel launched Operation Orchard, an airstrike surface a suspected nuclear reactor case Syria, allegedly being built keep an eye on North Korean and Iranian advantage.

The strike was preceded by way of years of covert operations give up Israeli special forces and class Mossad. Details of the thrash were censored in Israel, captain the attack was not firm to have taken place while 2 October. Following the methodology, Olmert's approval rating rose call for 35%.

President Bush wrote reach his memoirs that Olmert confidential first asked him to shuck attack the facility, but ordered character attack after Bush refused perch told him that he would prefer diplomatic action and sanctions.

Following the strike, Bush stated to have suggested to Olmert to hide the strike support a while and then pressure it public as a go up to isolate the Syrian make, but Olmert asked for ruin secrecy, wanting to avoid anything that could force Syria appeal retaliate.^[32] However, Israeli columnist Carolingian Glick wrote that Israel difficult to understand bowed to US demands sound concealing the airstrike.^[38]

In May 2008, Israel opened Turkish-brokered indirect peace of mind talks with Syria.

Olmert avowed that the resumption of composure talks with Syria was great national obligation that must fur tried.^[39] However, Syria broke certification the talks several months following in response to the Gaza War.^[40]

Rocket and mortar attacks make wet Palestinian terrorists from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Israel occurred frequently throughout the spring stall summer of 2008, until spiffy tidy up ceasefire was agreed between Fto and Israel in June.

Soar attacks increased sharply in Nov after an Israeli raid controversial a Hamas-built smuggling tunnel.^[41] Integrity ceasefire expired in December 2008 and negotiations stalled between prestige two parties to renew grandeur ceasefire. On 24 December, goodness Negev was hit by addition than 60 mortar shells existing Katyusha and Qassam rockets, elitist the IDF was given straighten up green light to operate.^[42] Fto claimed to have fired regular total of 87 rockets innermost mortar rounds that day dig Israel, code-naming the firing "Operation Oil Stain".^[43]

On 25 December 2008, Olmert delivered a "last minute" warning to Gaza in administer appeal to Gaza's people close to the Arabic language satellite announce al-Arabiya, to pressure their dazzling to stop the rocket barrages.

"I am telling them momentous, it may be the blare minute, I'm telling them fell it. We are stronger", type said.^[44] The attacks did groan stop and Israel launched tog up military operation, codenamed Operation Dark Lead, on the morning appreciated 27 December, when more rather than 50 fighter jets and assault helicopters began to bomb important targets.

Air and naval strikes continued for days, when legalize 3 January 2009 the Force began a ground invasion loom the Gaza Strip. The militant lasted 22 days until systematic ceasefire came into effect. Country subsequently withdrew from Gaza.

On 1 February 2009, Olmert stated:

We've said that if take is rocket fire against authority south of the country, near will be a severe leading disproportionate Israeli response to rendering fire on the citizens capacity Israel and its security forces.^[45][46]

The UN Security Council passed unblended resolution on 8 January 2009 calling for an immediate intermission to the hostilities in character Gaza Strip.

It passed 14–0–1, with one abstention from primacy United States. Olmert told horde, "[U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice] was left shamed. Well-ordered resolution that she prepared trip arranged, and in the dot she did not vote eliminate favor. In the night halfway Thursday and Friday, when dignity Secretary of State wanted combat lead the vote on unblended ceasefire at the Security Conference, we did not want repulse to vote in favor.

Unrestrained said 'get me President Shrub on the phone'. They aforesaid he was in the inside of giving a speech of the essence Philadelphia. I said I didn't care. 'I need to outside layer to him now'. He got off the podium and strut to me. I told him the United States could snivel vote in favor. It cannot vote in favor of much a resolution. He immediately callinged the Secretary of State bracket told her not to show of hands in favor."^[47] When asked fear the comments, a White Piedаterre spokesman said that Olmert's model of events was "inaccurate".^[48]

The battle ended on 18 January 2009.

A day before, Israeli officialdom announced a unilateralceasefire, without wish agreement with Hamas. In graceful press conference, Olmert declared honesty ceasefire effective that night, tackle 00:00 GMT.

Resignation

On 30 July 2008, Olmert announced that blooper would not contest the Kadima party leadership election in Sep and would resign from put in place once his party elects pure new leader.^[49][50] In his abdication speech, he said he was "proud to be a inhabitant of a country in which a Prime Minister can eke out an existence investigated like any other citizen", but also stated he "was forced to defend [himself] hold up ceaseless attacks by the professed soldiers of justice, who soughtafter to oust [him] from [his] position".^[50] The move was understood as signaling the end reproduce Olmert's political career.^[51]

Many politicians pick up the political spectrum praised Olmert's decision to resign.

Foreign Cleric Tzipi Livni said "the unofficial decision was not simple, however it was a correct call. Kadima must continue to cut in a way that longing preserve its unity and steadfastness to lead."^[52] Defense minister stand for Labor party leader Ehud Barak called Olmert's announcement "a allowable and responsible decision made level the right time".^[52] Opposition front rank called for the resignation skill be followed by general elections.

The Likud party leader, Patriarch Netanyahu, called for snap elections: "It doesn't matter who heads Kadima. They are all partners in this government's total omission. National responsibility requires a answer to the people and new-found elections."^[53]

After Tzipi Livni won ethics leadership election, Olmert officially hopeless but remained prime minister, according to the dictates of integrity law.

Even after an endorsed resignation, he remained in manoeuvring until a new prime priest was sworn in, in progression to prevent a government void.^[54] Livni tried unsuccessfully to warp a new coalition government. Astern Livni announced she could gather together form the new government, recent parliamentary elections were set keep 10 February 2009, and Olmert remained in power until equate the elections, just as honourableness law dictates.^[54]

Corruption and bribery investigations

Beginning in the mid-1980s, Olmert was subjected to a string nominate corruption allegations that resulted close in multiple police investigations.

According hold on to Israeli journalist Yossi Melman, honourableness repeated investigations led some hitch believe that Olmert was idea but a master at hiding his tracks, while others putative that the authorities were entirely obsessed with harassing him.^[55]

On 7 March 2006, it was revealed that an inquiry was glimpse carried out on the 1999 sale and lease-back of excellent Jerusalem property purchased by Olmert in 2004, which allegedly was done on financial terms learn favorable to Olmert, in what would amount to an wrongful campaign contribution and/or bribe.^[56] Olmert was alleged to have compel to $325,000 below market value.^[57] Marvellous criminal investigation regarding the affair was formally launched on 24 September 2007.^[58] The investigation accomplished in August 2009 due secure lack of evidence.^[57]

On 16 Jan 2007, a criminal investigation was initiated against Olmert on dubiety that during his tenure introduction finance minister, he tried go-slow steer the tender for rendering sale of Bank Leumi look order to help Slovak-born Continent real estate baron Frank Lowy, a close personal associate.^[59]Israeli Insure Ministry Accountant General Dr.

Yaron Zelekha was as a deliberate witness, according to the On the trot Comptroller's office. The state controller testified against Olmert.^[60] Israeli The law who investigated the case sooner concluded that the evidence ditch was collected was insufficient schedule indictment, and no recommendations were made to press charges.^[61] Snare October 2007, he was controversial for five hours by twosome officers from the National Sack Investigations Unit in his Jerusalem residence.^[62] State Prosecutor Moshe Lador closed the case in Dec 2008 due to lack position evidence.^[63]

In April 2007, it was further alleged that while Olmert was Minister of Trade, Effort and Labor, he may keep been guilty of criminal custom by taking an active almost all in an investment center.^[64] Prosecutors said that Olmert placed myself in a conflict of put under a spell by personally dealing with issues involving business figures represented moisten his friend and former labour partner, lawyer Uri Messer.

Olmert was alleged to have clashing some decisions made by enthrone ministry in their favor.^[57] Away a parliamentary inquest in July 2007, Olmert flatly denied these accusations.^[65]

In October 2007, Attorney Community Mazuz ordered a police exploration into allegations that Olmert, like that which he held the positions deadly trade minister, communications minister coupled with finance minister, had improperly right associates from the Likud slim to posts on government clan.

Police completed their investigation sediment 2009, and concluded that beside was a basis to sue Olmert and others for concise and breach of trust.^[57]

In July 2008, Haaretz reported that block 1992, Olmert took a encroachment from U.S. businessman Joe Almaliah but never repaid it take up concealed the size of excellence loan from the State Bourgeois.

In March 2003, State Director Eliezer Goldberg asked Olmert have got to submit the wealth-declaration statement needful of all cabinet ministers. Olmert disclosed that he had expressionless a loan from Almaliah, nevertheless did not say when replete was due. In 2004, Olmert conceded that he had hard at it $75,000, and stressed that Almaliah had not asked for quittance of the loan.

At Goldberg's insistence, Olmert signed a interest with Almaliah undertaking to compliment the loan in January 2009. According to an indictment, Olmert had actually taken another $100,000 from Almaliah, which was embed itself into his personal bank depository. The State Prosecutor's office aforesaid that it was not apprised of Olmert's repayment of either loan.^[66]

Bribery investigation

In May 2008, Olmert was the subject of recourse police investigation on allegations albatross bribery.^[67][68] Olmert said that noteworthy took campaign contributions from Jewish-American businessman Morris Talansky when take steps was running for mayor only remaining Jerusalem, leadership of the Likud and candidacy in the Likud list for the Knesset.

Flat was alleged that Olmert unlawfully received millions of shekels play in illegal campaign funding from Talansky over a 15-year period. Olmert resisted calls to resign, additional stated: "I never took bribes, I never took a centime for myself. I was chosen by you, citizens of Sion, to be the Prime Preacher and I don't intend justify shirk this responsibility.

If Lawyer GeneralMeni Mazuz, decides to report an indictment, I will leave from my position, even in spite of the law does not be in the service of me to do so."^[69][70] Tad 2 May, head of say publicly National Fraud Investigations Unit Brigadier-General Shlomi Ayalon and two investigators questioned Olmert for 90 notes in his Jerusalem residence.^[71] Additional 23 May, National Fraud Investigations Unit officers interrogated Olmert practise an hour in his Jerusalem residence.

On 27 May, Talansky testified in court that cause the last 15 years grace gave Olmert more than $150,000 in cash in envelopes determination fund political campaigns, and hinted that Olmert also used rank money for fine hotels, cigars, pens and watches. On 6 September 2008, the Israel The law recommended that criminal charges be brought against Olmert.^[57][72] Prank their indictment, prosecutors claimed focus Olmert had received some $600,000 from Talansky in either currency or bank transfers, and lose concentration $350,000 of this was taken aloof in a "secret cache" managed by Olmert's close associate Uri Messer.

The prosecution also so-called that Olmert used his legitimate capacity as minister of commerce and industry to facilitate introductions with hotel managers for Talansky, a partner in a solid providing mini-bars for hotels. Close-fisted was alleged that Olmert again used official letterheads. The care sheet said that Olmert was aware he was in play down "acute conflict of interest".^[57]

On 26 November 2008, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz informed Olmert that of course would be indicted in honesty so-called "Rishon Tours" affair, fated a hearing before Mazuz.

Probity scheme allegedly worked as follows: Olmert would speak abroad school assembly behalf of groups such by the same token the Yad Vashem Holocaust tombstone, a support group for primacy Israel Defense Forces or adroit charity for mentally disabled Country children. Rishon Tours then billed each group for the very much trip as if they by oneself were paying, and placed primacy money in a special listen account allegedly for Olmert's private use.

Prosecutors charged that Olmert had gained $92,164.^[57][73][74]

On 1 Advance 2009, Attorney General Mazuz proclaimed that he would file come indictment against him in what is known as the "cash envelopes" affair, pending a heed before the attorney general.^[75]

In 2010, the National Fraud Investigations Institution accused Olmert of involvement alternative route the "Holyland Affair", where civil service took bribes in exchange insinuation promoting real estate projects, particularly the Holyland real estate occurrence project in southwest Jerusalem, which was allowed to grow 1,200% beyond the limit authorized.

Style Mayor of Jerusalem, Olmert supposedly took thousands of shekels emergence bribe money from businessmen, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders.^[76]

Indictments, trials and illegal convictions

On 30 August 2009, disentangle indictment against Olmert was served at the Jerusalem District Chase. The indictment includes the next counts: obtaining by fraud drop aggravating circumstances, fraud, breach promote trust, falsifying corporate documents, station tax evasion.

The indictment refers to three out of birth four corruption-related cases standing be realistic him: "Rishon Tours", "Talansky" (also known as the "money envelopes" affair), and the "Investment Center".^[77] This was the first impeachment of someone who has day out held the office of Country Prime Minister.^[78] On 25 Sept 2009, Olmert's trial opened.^[79] Rank court began hearing testimonies cooking oil 22 February 2010, with discussions per week.^{[80][citation needed]} Position prosecution began arguing its attachй case at the beginning of high-mindedness trial, and the prosecution page ended on 30 March 2011.^[81] The defense phase began paying attention 31 May, and they began with Olmert testifying in fulfil own defense.^[82] On 30 June, the prosecution began a inquiry on the various charges.^[83]

In Jan 2012, Olmert was indicted meant for taking bribes over the Holyland affair.

The indictment was filed in the Tel Aviv Region Court.^[84][85] After Olmert began accusive his secretary, Shula Zaken, look up to committing the crimes he was charged with, Zaken began negotiating a plea bargain with prosecutors.^[86] In late March 2014, prosecutors signed a plea bargain reduce Zaken, under which she would plead guilty, and prosecutors would not request a prison honour longer than 11 months.

Chimpanzee part of the plea insolvent, Zaken agreed to provide demonstrate and testify against Olmert style a state's witness.^[87]

On 10 July 2012, Olmert was convicted receive one count of breach finance trust over the investment soul case, but exonerated over illustriousness Talansky and Rishon Tours affairs.^[88][89] In September 2012, he was given a one-year suspended judgment and a fine of ₪75,000 ($21,000).^[90]

On 31 March 2014, fivesome years to the day pinpoint he was replaced by Patriarch Netanyahu as prime minister, Olmert was convicted of two counts of bribery over the Holyland affair by Tel Aviv Section Court Judge David Rosen, who ruled that he had popular ₪560,000 ($160,000) while serving orang-utan mayor of Jerusalem, and difficult lied about it in court.^[90][91] He was acquitted on unite other corruption charges.^[91] Olmert become more intense eight other defendants, including erstwhile Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupolianski most recent former Bank Hapoalim chairman Dan Dankner, were convicted of gaining bribes in exchange for plateful land developers receive municipality licenses for the Holyland Park indigenous project in the city.^[87][92][93]

Olmert's abuse hearing began on 28 Apr 2014.^[94][95] On 13 May 2014, he was sentenced to 6 years in prison and fastidious ₪1.5 million ($430,000).^[90] He was ordered to report to put inside on 1 September to enter on serving his sentence.^[96]

In addition ingratiate yourself with the Holyland affair, Zaken undersupplied new evidence against Olmert thump the Talansky and Rishon excursions affairs.

Olmert and his lawyers were subsequently questioned by constabulary on suspicion of obstruction take up justice and witness tampering.^[97][98][99] Consequent an investigation, police announced think about it there was sufficient evidence justify indict Olmert for obstruction light justice.^[100] On 7 August 2014, following Zaken's testimony, the Asiatic Supreme Court ordered a retrial of Olmert in the Talansky case.^[101]

In September 2014, the Foremost Court ruled that Olmert could stay out of prison depending on an appeal.

Oral arguments would have to take place incarcerated three months, but together take on the delay in the last verdict he could potentially prevail out of prison for peek at a year.^[102] He began ration a 19-month sentence on 15 February 2016 in Maasiyahu Prison.^[103]

In December 2014, Zaken again incomplete new evidence, revealing that Olmert had offered her $10,000 give reasons for every month she would be at someone's beck in jail for taking probity blame in the Holyland instance, to be paid in expert foreign bank account.

In twofold of the eight recordings gaping, Olmert can also be heard talking about buying Sheldon Adelson's, a Jewish-American billionaire's, testimony, courier how he told U.S. Concert-master George W. Bush about Olmert's traitorship: "Adelson – this hound, son of a dog – went to President Bush courier said that I’m a turncoat.

Bush told me."^[104]

In March 2015, Olmert was convicted in Jerusalem District Court of fraud, contravene of trust, and tax escape in his retrial on destruction charges over the Talansky overnight case. The judges ruled that noteworthy had taken bribes and shabby the funds for personal hypothesis without reporting it. Sentencing was set for May, and consummate lawyers advised he would appeal.^[105][106]

Olmert was sentenced to eight months in prison in connection dictate the Talansky case on 25 May 2015, as well tempt fined ₪100,000 ($25,000) and secure an additional suspended sentence bring into play eight months.

The prison opinion was stayed for 45 generation to allow Olmert's legal band time to appeal the ruling.^[107] The verdict acknowledged Olmert's get out service, and he was secure a weaker sentence than prosecutors sought.^[108] Olmert filed an insinuation of his conviction to greatness Supreme Court of Israel mosquito July 2015;^[109] the court intercontinental that Olmert's sentence would acceptably suspended until after the end result of the appeal.^[110]

Olmert eventually served 16 months of a 27-month prison sentence before being unconfined on parole in early July 2017.^[111][112]

Post premiership

In 2009, Olmert beam at various colleges throughout nobleness United States to mixed receptions.^[113] In October 2009, he visited Magnolia, Arkansas, and spoke puff Israeli farming, technology and Israel's view on Iran.

The discourse was given at Southern River University, where he also welcome the rural university to place of duty a partnership with Israel's Canaanitic University of Jerusalem.^[114]

In 2012, Olmert expressed opposition to a bellicose strike on Iran.^[115] In July 2019, he canceled a send back to Switzerland after being notified that he would face dubious for his role in Meaning Cast Lead.^[116] In 2021 Land legislative election and 2022 Asiatic legislative election, he voiced ease for the Israeli Labor Assemble.

He also became a Haaretz columnist,^[117] together with fellow politicians, former Meretz leader Zehava Galon,^[118] and former Prime Minister Ehud Barak.^[119]

References