Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. Some 100 Israeli police has confiscated documents at 20 public sites related to investigations into alleged misconduct by Olmert.(AFP/Pool/Jim Hollander)
Posted on 11/11/2007 9:32:40 AM PST by NormsRevenge
JERUSALEM - Police raided more than 20 government buildings and private offices Sunday, searching for evidence in a series of criminal investigations of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
The probes — all related to actions that took place before Olmert became prime minister — have threatened to weaken the Israeli leader at a time of growing momentum in peace efforts with the Palestinians.
Among the places raided were the Industry and Trade Ministry, the Postal Authority and Jerusalem's City Hall, said police spokesman Mickey Rosenfeld.
"Police investigators are searching a number of government and private offices in connection with three ongoing investigations" into Olmert, Rosenfeld said.
He said authorities were expected to confiscate documents and other materials, but gave no further details.
Officials in Olmert's office declined comment. In the past, the prime minister has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has dismissed the investigations as a political witch hunt.
In one case, Olmert is suspected of buying a luxurious Jerusalem home at a substantial discount from a developer in exchange for arranging construction permits for the builder. Olmert is a former mayor of Jerusalem.
In a second case, police are looking into suspicions that Olmert acted improperly when he was trade minister earlier this decade. Authorities suspect Olmert steered a government grant to a friend and arranged improper political appointments.
Olmert also is suspected of trying — unsuccessfully — to rig the sale of Israel's second-largest bank in favor of two associates while he was finance minister in 2005.
Olmert has been dogged by corruption allegations throughout his three-decade career in politics, but has never been convicted of any wrongdoing.
Olmert is preparing for a U.S.-hosted Mideast peace conference later this month in Annapolis, Md. He hopes the gathering will provide a launching pad for formal peace talks with the Palestinians after a seven-year lull.
A criminal indictment in any of the three investigations facing Olmert would deal a heavy blow to the peace efforts. Although Olmert would not be forced to step down, he would be seriously weakened and likely face heavy public pressure to step aside.
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert arrives for the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem. Some 100 Israeli police has confiscated documents at 20 public sites related to investigations into alleged misconduct by Olmert.(AFP/Pool/Jim Hollander)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, right, and Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni attend the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem Sunday, Nov. 11, 2007. More than 100 police investigators raided government buildings and private offices Sunday, searching for evidence in a series of criminal investigations of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. (AP Photo/Jim Hollander, Pool)
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
A wimp in his own nations defence, and corrupt as well.
Regards
Busted itttt
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There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Warnings ~
The Nature Of Bruce ~
"The West has given more significance to the myth of the genocide of the Jews, even more significant than God, religion, and the prophets...."—Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad
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" ... It's time we recognized the nature of the conflict. It's total war and we are all involved. Nobody on our side is exempted because of age, gender, or handicap. The Islamofacists have stolen childhood from the world."—FReeper Retief
"Palestine is the wrong name for their State. It should be called Anarchy."—FReeper sgtbono2002
"Then let's wait and see what the Arabs do after they take Gaza. There's nothing like Arab reality to break up a Jewish fantasy."—FReeper Noachian
A student told his professor he was going to "Palestine" to "fight for freedom, peace and justice,"—Orwellian leftist code words that mean "murder Jews."
Criminal indictment,
vote of no confidence,
I don’t care how you get this guy out of office,
just do it.
Olmerde is just as corrupt as Chirac! Olmerde = Israel’s Chirac!!
Olmert is guilty as sin. He didn't even try to shield the blatant and illegal quid pro quo.
Olmert also is suspected of trying — unsuccessfully — to rig the sale of Israel's second-largest bank in favor of two associates while he was finance minister in 2005.
Also guilty as sin on this one. They have a line of witnesses willing to testify against Olmert. And again Olmert paid attention to try to hide the criminal nature of his actions at the time.
Good.
We need to keep in mind that our leaders live in bubble or vacuums in a way, if you will, access is controlled .. yet they are still susceptible to every pitch man in the cosmos. They and their underlings are ripe FRuit just waiting to be picked by those who would seek favor or influence.
We need only look to who signed waivers for what and where it ended up at. China comes to mind.
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