Ehud olmert biography prime minister

Prime Minister of Israel foreigner 2006 to 2009

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

Between his leading and second stints as a-okay cabinet member, he served monkey mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003. After serving monkey prime minister, he was sentenced to serve a prison designation over convictions for accepting bribes and for obstruction of goodness during his terms as politician of Jerusalem and as put a bet on minister.

Biography

Ehud Olmert was indigenous near Binyamina in the Country Mandate of Palestine. According find time for Olmert, his parents, Bella (Wagman) and Mordechai Olmert, escaped "persecution in Ukraine and Russia, endure found sanctuary in Harbin, China.^[2] They immigrated to Israel put the finishing touches to fulfill their dream of structure a Jewish and democratic speak living in peace in description land of our ancestors."^[3] Her highness father later became a 1 of the Knesset for Herut.

Olmert's childhood included membership name the Beitar Youth Organization lecture dealing with the fact ditch his parents were often blacklisted and alienated due to their affiliation with the Jewish force group the Irgun. They were also part of Herut, magnanimity opposition to the long-ruling Mapai party. However, by the Decade, this was proving less harmful to one's career than via the 1950s.

Olmert graduated raid the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with degrees in psychology, opinion and law. He opened dialect trig successful law partnership in Jerusalem. Olmert served with the Country Defense Forces in the Golani Brigade.^[4] While in service lighten up was injured and temporarily free. He underwent many treatments, most important later completed his military duties as a journalist for rectitude IDF magazine BaMahane.

During grandeur Yom Kippur War, he wedded conjugal the headquarters of Ariel Sharon as a military correspondent. By that time a member of the Knesseth, he decided to go rate 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 natural children and an adopted daughter.^[6] The oldest daughter, Michal, holds a master's in psychology professor leads workshops in creative judgment.

Another daughter Dana is undiluted lecturer in literature at greatness Tel Aviv University, and ethics editor of a literature stack. She is a lesbian take lives with her partner take away Tel Aviv. Her parents percentage accepting of her sexual loss of nerve and partner. Dana is vigorous in the Jerusalem branch a choice of the Israeli human rights reasoning Machsom Watch.

In June 2006 she attended a march be next to Tel Aviv protesting alleged Land complicity in the Gaza bank blast, which made her birth subject of bitter criticism cause the collapse of right-wing personalities.^[7]

Olmert's father Mordechai, on the rocks pioneer of Israel's land agreement and a former member perfect example the Second and Third Knessets, grew up in the Sinitic city of Harbin, where illegal led the local Betar salad days movement.

Olmert's grandfather J. Specify. Olmert settled in Harbin subsequently fleeing post-World War I Russia.^[8] In 2004, Olmert visited Spouse and paid his respects unexpected defeat the tomb of his elder in Harbin. Olmert said think about it his father had never consigned to oblivion his Chinese hometown after heart-rending to what was then significance British Mandate of Palestine, solution 1933, at the age cancel out 22.

"When he died insensible the age of 88, powder spoke his last words wrench Mandarin Chinese", he recalled.^[9]

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

Political career

Member of Knesseth and Minister

In 1966, during interpretation Gahal party convention (a previous ancestor to today's Likud), party controller Menachem Begin was challenged unreceptive the young Olmert, who baptized for his resignation.

Begin proclaimed that he would retire alien party leadership, but soon contrary his decision when the flood emotionally pleaded with him standing stay. Olmert was first picked out to the Knesset in 1973 at the age of 28, and was re-elected seven conservative times.

Thierry mayard-paul biography

Between 1981 and 1989, purify served as a member tip the Foreign Affairs and Defend Committee and served on class Finance, Education and Defense Costs Committees. He served as ecclesiastic without portfolio, responsible for childhood affairs between 1988 and 1990, and as minister of nausea from 1990 until 1992. Next Likud's defeat in the 1992 election, instead of remaining uncut Knesset member in the hopeful, he successfully ran for politician of Jerusalem in November 1993.

Mayor of Jerusalem

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

Between 1993 coupled with 2003, Olmert served two qualifications as mayor of Jerusalem, grandeur first member of Likud fend for its precursors to hold picture position. During his term inconvenience office, he devoted himself pocket the initiation and advancement assault major projects in the bring, the development and improvement find the education system, and nobleness development of road infrastructure.

Yes also spearheaded the development spot the light rail system person of little consequence Jerusalem, and the investment help millions of shekels in significance development of mass transportation options for the city.

While politician of Jerusalem, Olmert was stop up invited speaker at an universal conflict resolution conference held deduct Derry, Northern Ireland.

In fillet address, he spoke of anyhow "Political leaders can help discard the psychological climate which affects the quality of relationships between people." His speech concluded get a message to reflections on the importance annotation political process in overcoming differences: "How are fears born? They are born because of differences in tradition and history; they are born because of differences in emotional, political and municipal circumstances.

Because of such differences, people fear they cannot material together. If we are money overcome such fear, a plausible and healthy political process rust be carefully and painfully formed. A political process that does not aim to change righteousness other or to overcome differences, but that allows each embankment to live peacefully in ill will of their differences."^[11]

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

Deputy prime minister

Olmert was elected as a member stare the sixteenth Knesset in Jan 2003.

He served as glory head of the election operations for Likud in the elections, and subsequently was the decisive negotiator of the coalition planning. Following the elections he was appointed as Designated Acting Best Minister and Minister of Production, Trade and Labor. From 2003 to 2004, he also served as Minister of Communications.

On 7 August 2005, Olmert was appointed acting finance evangelist, replacing Benjamin Netanyahu, who difficult to understand resigned in protest against nobleness planned Israeli withdrawal from probity Gaza Strip.^[13] Olmert, who difficult to understand originally opposed withdrawing from turmoil captured in the Six-Day Contention, and who had voted disagree with the Camp David Peace Accords in 1978, was a show the way supporter of the Gaza extra.

After his appointment, Olmert said:

I voted against Menachem Begin, Unrestrainable told him it was on the rocks historic mistake, how dangerous middleoftheroad would be, and so enter and so on. Now Uncontrollable am sorry he is battle-cry alive for me to take off able to publicly recognize empress wisdom and my mistake. Appease was right and I was wrong.

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

As Sharon announced he was walk out on Likud to form a latest party, Kadima, Olmert was disposed of the first to add together him.

Acting prime minister

On 4 January 2006, as the fixed Acting Prime Minister, Olmert became Acting Prime Minister as dialect trig result of the serious cord suffered by then Prime Way Ariel Sharon.

This occurred rearguard consultations took place between Bureau SecretaryYisrael Maimon and Attorney GeneralMenachem Mazuz, who declared Sharon "temporarily incapable to carry out justness duties of his office", dimension only officially in office. Exploitation, Olmert and the cabinet reaffirmed in an announcement that influence 28 March elections would tweak held as scheduled.

During distinction days following the stroke, Olmert met with Shimon Peres extra other Sharon supporters to hard-headed to convince them to scope with Kadima, rather than send to Likud or, in Peres' case, Labor. On 16 Jan 2006, Olmert was elected head of Kadima, and Kadima's entrant for prime minister in probity upcoming election.^[15] In his crowning major policy address on 24 January 2006 after becoming security guard prime minister, Olmert stated meander he backed the creation be bought a Palestinian state, and cruise Israel would have to furnish with parts of the West Capital to maintain its Jewish overegging the pudding.

At the same time, significant said, "We firmly stand through the historic right of nobility people of Israel to magnanimity entire Land of Israel."^[16] Retort a number of interviews, appease also introduced his Realignment system, which would see Israel onesidedly withdraw from most of honourableness West Bank and redraw untruthfulness borders to incorporate major agreement blocs into Israel.

The course of action was shelved following the 2006 Lebanon War.

Following the Walk 2006 election, Kadima won 29 seats, making it the most desirable party. On 6 April, Olmert was officially asked by Maestro Moshe Katsav to form keen government. Olmert had an early period of 28 days nod form a governing coalition, get a possible two-week extension.

Alter 11 April, the Israeli Government deemed that Sharon was etiolated. The 100-day replacement deadline was extended due to the Person festival of Passover, and great provision was made that, obligated to Sharon's condition improve between 11 and 14 April, the announcement would not take effect. Hence, the official declaration took consequence on 14 April, formally culmination Sharon's term as prime cleric and making Olmert the country's new Interim Prime Minister pull office (he would not turn the official prime minister unfinished he formed a government).

Prime minister of Israel

On 4 Haw 2006, Olmert presented his newborn government to the Knesset. Olmert became prime minister and parson for welfare. Control over ethics Welfare Ministry was expected embark on be given to United Roll Judaism if it would reaction the government. The post was later given to Labor's Patriarch Herzog.

Olmert took over considerably acting prime minister of Country after Ariel Sharon suffered ingenious stroke.

On 24 May 2006, Olmert was invited to place of origin a joint session of representation U.S. Congress.^[17] He stated divagate his government would proceed organize the disengagement plan if consent to could not come to see eye to eye with the Palestinians.

Olmert was the third Israeli prime parson to have been invited entertain speak at a joint craze of Congress.

Following the 2006 Lebanon War, Olmert's popularity ratings fell and, on 15 Sept 2006, former chief of pikestaff Moshe Ya'alon publicly stated avoid Olmert should resign. In May well 2007, Olmert's approval rating integument to 3%,^[18][19] and he became the subject of a Dmoz Bomb for the Hebrew divulge "miserable failure".^[20]

On 9 December 2006, Olmert stated that he could not rule out the right lane of a military attack destroy Iran, and called for rank international community to step compute action against that country.

Closure called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated threats to destroy Kingdom "absolutely criminal", and said go off he expected "more dramatic deed to be taken". In comb interview with German TV mesh Sat.1 on 11 December 2006, Olmert included Israel in regular list of nuclear powers, saying: "Iran, openly, explicitly and undeceptive, threatens to wipe Israel summon the map.

Can you assert that this is the very alike level, when they are ambitious to have nuclear weapons, chimp America, France, Israel and Russia?" He immediately attempted to mishap, insisting that Israel's doggedly reserved position of nuclear weapons dilemma had not changed.^[21][22] He despite that came under harsh criticism elude both ends of the Country political spectrum due to excellence perceived threat to Israel's game plan of ambiguity regarding its atomic status.^[23][24] On 2 May 2007, the Winograd Commission accused Olmert of failing to properly jurisdiction the 2006 Lebanese War,^[25] which prompted a mass rally hark back to over 100,000 people calling demand his resignation.^[26]

Olmert welcomed the Arabian League's 2007 re-endorsement of leadership Arab Peace Initiative.

Olmert wrote in The Guardian newspaper put off Israel was ready to power "painful concessions" to achieve equanimity with the Palestinians.

"I catch the offer of full standardisation of relations between Israel standing the Arab world seriously; gift I am ready to confer the Arab peace initiative buy an open and sincere way.

Working with our Jordanian topmost Egyptian partners, and hopefully carefulness Arab states, we must court a comprehensive peace with try and vision.... But the deliberation must be a discussion, note an ultimatum."^[27]

On 4 Nov 2007, he declared Israel's purpose to negotiate with the Palestinians about all issues, stating, "Annapolis will be the jumping-off tumble for continued serious and full-dress negotiations, which will not keep any issue or ignore common man division that has clouded bitter relations with the Palestinian followers for many years."^[28] On 29 November 2007, he warned slope the end of Israel consider it case a two-state solution run through not eventually found for blue blood the gentry Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

"If the allocate comes when the two-state quandary collapses, and we face copperplate South African-style struggle for be neck and neck voting rights (also for illustriousness Palestinians in the territories), expand, as soon as that happens, the State of Israel remains finished", Olmert said on integrity last day of the Annapolis Conference.

"The Jewish organizations, which were our power base top America, will be the pull it off to come out against us", Olmert said, "because they determination say they cannot support far-out state that does not found democracy and equal voting straight-talking for all its residents".^[29]

During illustriousness talks, Olmert agreed that State would share Jerusalem as glory joint capital of Israel stall a Palestinian state and mitt over its holy sites constitute a multinational committee, land swaps that would allow Israel walkout keep its major settlement blocs in the West Bank, glory construction of a tunnel neighbouring the West Bank and magnanimity Gaza Strip, and a demilitarized Palestinian state with an American-led international security force stationed arrange the Palestinian–Jordanian border.

Both sides disagreed over how much province would be exchanged in influence swaps, with Olmert demanding officer least 6.3–6.8% of the Westmost Bank and Abbas insisting clean up swap would not exceed 1.9%.^[30] In his memoirs, Olmert wrote that he agreed Israel would generously compensate the remaining refugees.

Olmert later stated that U.S. President George W. Bush offered to accept another 100,000 refugees as American citizens if dexterous peace agreement was signed. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Playwright wrote in her memoirs wander the Palestinians demanded they lay at somebody's door allowed to negotiate additional "returns" to Israel following the coolness deal, insisting that the good of return was a situation of individual choice that would ultimately have to apply disapproval every refugee.

In his reminiscences annals, Olmert claimed that he topmost Abbas were very close everywhere an agreement, but Abbas' fearfulness, Olmert's legal troubles, and grandeur Gaza War caused the legislature to end. President Bush wrote in his memoirs that nobility talks broke down when Olmert announced that he would abdicate from office, and Abbas escalate broke off the talks snowball refused to finalize an match on the grounds that subside did not want to intend a peace deal with well-organized prime minister on his disperse out of office.^{[31][32][33][34][35][36]}

During at littlest two meetings, Olmert made a-one secret promise to Abbas: At one time a prisoner exchange deal contemplate captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was finalized with Hamas, Sion would bolster Abbas' government tough releasing Fatah prisoners.

After unembellished prisoner exchange deal was largescale upon in 2011 under First-class Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Olmert's match, Palestinian officials demanded that Netanyahu live up to Olmert's responsibility and release Fatah prisoners.^[37]

On 6 September 2007, Israel launched Working Orchard, an airstrike against skilful suspected nuclear reactor in Syria, allegedly being built with Northmost Korean and Iranian assistance.

Ethics strike was preceded by seniority of covert operations by Land special forces and the Mossad. Details of the strike were censored in Israel, and distinction attack was not confirmed pause have taken place until 2 October. Following the attack, Olmert's approval rating rose to 35%.

President Bush wrote in reward memoirs that Olmert had twig asked him to bomb influence facility, but ordered the down tools after Bush refused and sit in judgment him that he would be inclined diplomatic action and sanctions.

Mass the strike, Bush claimed feel have suggested to Olmert pick up hide the strike for first-class while and then make last out public as a way simulate isolate the Syrian government, on the other hand Olmert asked for total stealthiness, wanting to avoid anything cruise could force Syria to retaliate.^[32] However, Israeli columnist Caroline Glick wrote that Israel had unreasonable to US demands in stopping the airstrike.^[38]

In May 2008, Country opened Turkish-brokered indirect peace negotiation with Syria.

Olmert stated cruise the resumption of peace congress with Syria was a municipal obligation that must be tried.^[39] However, Syria broke off picture talks several months later run to ground response to the Gaza War.^[40]

Rocket and mortar attacks by Mandate terrorists from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Israel occurred generally throughout the spring and season of 2008, until a break was agreed between Hamas innermost Israel in June.

Rocket attacks increased sharply in November back end an Israeli raid on unornamented Hamas-built smuggling tunnel.^[41] The cessation of hostilitie expired in December 2008 come first negotiations stalled between the combine parties to renew the cessation of hostilitie. On 24 December, the Desert was hit by more outshine 60 mortar shells and Katyusha and Qassam rockets, and authority IDF was given a adolescent light to operate.^[42] Hamas so-called to have fired a ruin of 87 rockets and howitzer rounds that day at Kingdom, code-naming the firing "Operation Lubricant Stain".^[43]

On 25 December 2008, Olmert delivered a "last minute" learn to Gaza in direct request to Gaza's people via birth Arabic language satellite channel al-Arabiya, to pressure their leaders promote to stop the rocket barrages.

"I am telling them now, impede may be the last gauzy, I'm telling them stop record. We are stronger", he said.^[44] The attacks did not lie back and Israel launched its martial operation, codenamed Operation Cast Lead, on the morning of 27 December, when more than 50 fighter jets and attack helicopters began to bomb strategic targets.

Air and naval strikes drawn-out for days, when on 3 January 2009 the IDF began a ground invasion of distinction Gaza Strip. The fighting lasted 22 days until a armistice came into effect. Israel later on withdrew from Gaza.

On 1 February 2009, Olmert stated:

We've said that if there obey rocket fire against the southernmost of the country, there disposition be a severe and extreme Israeli response to the blaze on the citizens of Kingdom and its security forces.^[45][46]

The Breed Security Council passed a fraud on 8 January 2009 employment for an immediate ceasefire clobber the hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

It passed 14–0–1, butt one abstention from the Banded together States. Olmert told reporters, "[U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice] was left shamed. A rig that she prepared and artificial, and in the end she did not vote in approval. In the night between Weekday and Friday, when the Help of State wanted to advantage the vote on a truce at the Security Council, miracle did not want her simulate vote in favor.

I put into words 'get me President Bush faintness the phone'. They said loosen up was in the middle near giving a speech in Metropolis. I said I didn't bell. 'I need to talk fulfil him now'. He got revulsion the podium and spoke close me. I told him ethics United States could not plebiscite in favor. It cannot ticket in favor of such calligraphic resolution.

He immediately called authority Secretary of State and sit in judgment her not to vote advance favor."^[47] When asked about probity comments, a White House promoter said that Olmert's version celebrate events was "inaccurate".^[48]

The war inhibited on 18 January 2009. Well-organized day before, Israeli officials declared a unilateralceasefire, without an match with Hamas.

In a squash conference, Olmert declared the let-up effective that night, at 00:00 GMT.

Resignation

On 30 July 2008, Olmert announced that he would not contest the Kadima element leadership election in September person in charge would resign from office formerly his party elects a creative leader.^[49][50] In his resignation expression, he said he was "proud to be a citizen taste a country in which dialect trig Prime Minister can be investigated like any other citizen", on the contrary also stated he "was unnatural to defend [himself] from continual attacks by the self-appointed lower ranks of justice, who sought unite oust [him] from [his] position".^[50] The move was interpreted brand signaling the end of Olmert's political career.^[51]

Many politicians across integrity political spectrum praised Olmert's resolution to resign.

Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said "the personal staying power was not simple, but minute was a correct one. Kadima must continue to act collective a way that will take care of its unity and ability give explanation lead."^[52] Defense minister and Have party leader Ehud Barak entitled Olmert's announcement "a proper scold responsible decision made at justness right time".^[52] Opposition leaders entitled for the resignation to suspect followed by general elections.

Ethics Likud party leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, called for snap elections: "It doesn't matter who heads Kadima. They are all partners sound this government's total failure. Municipal responsibility requires a return confront the people and new elections."^[53]

After Tzipi Livni won the supervision election, Olmert officially resigned nevertheless remained prime minister, according shield the dictates of the dishonest.

Even after an official abandonment, he remained in power in a holding pattern a new prime minister was sworn in, in order become prevent a government void.^[54] Livni tried unsuccessfully to form a-okay new coalition government. After Livni announced she could not tell the new government, new governmental elections were set for 10 February 2009, and Olmert remained in power until after position elections, just as the rule dictates.^[54]

Corruption and bribery investigations

Beginning effort the mid-1980s, Olmert was subjected to a string of degeneracy allegations that resulted in many police investigations.

According to Asian journalist Yossi Melman, the repetitive investigations led some to hide that Olmert was corrupt on the other hand a master at covering coronet tracks, while others believed focus the authorities were simply fanatical with harassing him.^[55]

On 7 Parade 2006, it was disclosed rove an inquiry was being sit on out on the 1999 customers and lease-back of a Jerusalem property purchased by Olmert bolster 2004, which allegedly was look on financial terms very approbative to Olmert, in what would amount to an illegal appeal contribution and/or bribe.^[56] Olmert was alleged to have paid $325,000 below market value.^[57] A sin investigation regarding the matter was formally launched on 24 Sep 2007.^[58] The investigation closed staging August 2009 due to scarcity of evidence.^[57]

On 16 January 2007, a criminal investigation was initiated against Olmert on suspicion depart during his tenure as banking minister, he tried to manage the tender for the marketing of Bank Leumi in draw to a close to help Slovak-born Australian absolute estate baron Frank Lowy, expert close personal associate.^[59]Israeli Finance The church Accountant General Dr.

Yaron Zelekha was as a key viewer, according to the State Comptroller's office. The state comptroller testified against Olmert.^[60] Israeli Police who investigated the case eventually completed that the evidence that was collected was insufficient for impeachment, and no recommendations were completed to press charges.^[61] In Oct 2007, he was questioned hold five hours by three teachers from the National Fraud Investigations Unit in his Jerusalem residence.^[62] State Prosecutor Moshe Lador over the case in December 2008 due to lack of evidence.^[63]

In April 2007, it was as well alleged that while Olmert was Minister of Trade, Industry most recent Labor, he may have archaic guilty of criminal behavior newborn taking an active part upgrade an investment center.^[64] Prosecutors oral that Olmert placed himself divert a conflict of interest coarse personally dealing with issues regarding business figures represented by emperor friend and former business accessory, lawyer Uri Messer.

Olmert was alleged to have changed different decisions made by his cabinet in their favor.^[57] During natty parliamentary inquest in July 2007, Olmert flatly denied these accusations.^[65]

In October 2007, Attorney General Mazuz ordered a police investigation do allegations that Olmert, when operate held the positions of move backward minister, communications minister and money management minister, had improperly appointed fellowship from the Likud party craving posts on government bodies.

The cops completed their investigation in 2009, and concluded that there was a basis to indict Olmert and others for fraud enjoin breach of trust.^[57]

In July 2008, Haaretz reported that in 1992, Olmert took a loan unapproachable U.S. businessman Joe Almaliah on the contrary never repaid it and veiled the size of the fee from the State Comptroller.

Export March 2003, State Comptroller Eliezer Goldberg asked Olmert to undertake the wealth-declaration statement required assault all cabinet ministers. Olmert proscribed that he had taken adroit loan from Almaliah, but outspoken not say when it was due. In 2004, Olmert acknowledged that he had taken $75,000, and stressed that Almaliah esoteric not asked for repayment longawaited the loan.

At Goldberg's instancy, Olmert signed a contract anti Almaliah undertaking to repay position loan in January 2009. According to an indictment, Olmert locked away actually taken another $100,000 let alone Almaliah, which was deposited command somebody to his personal bank account. Description State Prosecutor's office said dump it was not aware hold Olmert's repayment of either loan.^[66]

Bribery investigation

In May 2008, Olmert was the subject of another boys in blue investigation on allegations of bribery.^[67][68] Olmert said that he took campaign contributions from Jewish-American bourgeois Morris Talansky when he was running for mayor of Jerusalem, leadership of the Likud enthralled candidacy in the Likud listing for the Knesset.

It was alleged that Olmert unlawfully customary millions of shekels in interdicted campaign funding from Talansky on the button a 15-year period. Olmert resisted calls to resign, and stated: "I never took bribes, Beside oneself never took a penny sustenance myself. I was elected near you, citizens of Israel, tackle be the Prime Minister post I don't intend to hedge this responsibility.

If Attorney GeneralMeni Mazuz, decides to file breath indictment, I will resign yield my position, even though distinction law does not oblige make to do so."^[69][70] On 2 May, head of the State-run Fraud Investigations Unit Brigadier-General Shlomi Ayalon and two investigators disputed Olmert for 90 minutes instruct in his Jerusalem residence.^[71] On 23 May, National Fraud Investigations Item officers interrogated Olmert for set hour in his Jerusalem apartment.

On 27 May, Talansky testified in court that over influence last 15 years he gave Olmert more than $150,000 dense cash in envelopes to insure political campaigns, and hinted consider it Olmert also used the ready money for fine hotels, cigars, pens and watches. On 6 Sep 2008, the Israel Police politic that criminal charges should endure brought against Olmert.^[57][72] In their indictment, prosecutors claimed that Olmert had received some $600,000 get out of Talansky in either cash person above you bank transfers, and that $350,000 of this was held populate a "secret cache" managed via Olmert's close associate Uri Messer.

The prosecution also claimed divagate Olmert used his official prerogative as minister of trade reprove industry to facilitate introductions merge with hotel managers for Talansky, wonderful partner in a firm fitting out mini-bars for hotels. It was alleged that Olmert sometimes overindulgent official letterheads. The charge system said that Olmert was stupor he was in an "acute conflict of interest".^[57]

On 26 Nov 2008, Attorney General Menachem Mazuz informed Olmert that he would be indicted in the pretended "Rishon Tours" affair, pending a-one hearing before Mazuz.

The gimmick allegedly worked as follows: Olmert would speak abroad on good of groups such as rendering Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial, nifty support group for the Yisrael Defense Forces or a permissiveness for mentally disabled Israeli breed. Rishon Tours then billed harangue group for the same conversation as if they alone were paying, and placed the difficulty in a special bank depository allegedly for Olmert's personal daring act.

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

On 1 March 2009, Attorney General Mazuz announced ditch he would file an prosecution against him in what give something the onceover known as the "cash envelopes" affair, pending a hearing already the attorney general.^[75]

In 2010, glory National Fraud Investigations Unit prisoner Olmert of involvement in ethics "Holyland Affair", where officials took bribes in exchange for exhortation real estate projects, especially righteousness Holyland real estate development layout in southwest Jerusalem, which was allowed to grow 1,200% out of range the limit authorized.

As Politician of Jerusalem, Olmert allegedly took thousands of shekels in kickback money from businessmen, entrepreneurs, put forward stakeholders.^[76]

Indictments, trials and criminal convictions

On 30 August 2009, an summons against Olmert was served trouble the Jerusalem District Court.

Probity indictment includes the following counts: obtaining by fraud under exacerbating circumstances, fraud, breach of lope, falsifying corporate documents, and levy evasion. The indictment refers look after three out of the connect corruption-related cases standing against him: "Rishon Tours", "Talansky" (also state as the "money envelopes" affair), and the "Investment Center".^[77] That was the first indictment explain someone who has ever set aside the office of Israeli Paint Minister.^[78] On 25 September 2009, Olmert's trial opened.^[79] The cortege began hearing testimonies on 22 February 2010, with three discussions per week.^{[80][citation needed]} The trial began arguing its case put the lid on the beginning of the proof, and the prosecution phase on the brink on 30 March 2011.^[81] Class defense phase began on 31 May, and they began accommodate Olmert testifying in his accident defense.^[82] On 30 June, primacy prosecution began a cross-examination be next door to the various charges.^[83]

In January 2012, Olmert was indicted for charming bribes over the Holyland argument.

The indictment was filed pop into the Tel Aviv District Court.^[84][85] After Olmert began accusing diadem secretary, Shula Zaken, of committing the crimes he was brimful with, Zaken began negotiating well-ordered plea bargain with prosecutors.^[86] Walk heavily late March 2014, prosecutors sign a plea bargain with Zaken, under which she would smash guilty, and prosecutors would weep request a prison term individual than 11 months.

As object of the plea bargain, Zaken agreed to provide evidence soar testify against Olmert as dialect trig state's witness.^[87]

On 10 July 2012, Olmert was convicted on sole count of breach of vessel over the investment center crate, but exonerated over the Talansky and Rishon Tours affairs.^[88][89] Conduct yourself September 2012, he was delineated a one-year suspended sentence captain a fine of ₪75,000 ($21,000).^[90]

On 31 March 2014, five days to the day after closure was replaced by Benjamin Netanyahu as prime minister, Olmert was convicted of two counts raise bribery over the Holyland argument by Tel Aviv District Have a stab Judge David Rosen, who ruled that he had accepted ₪560,000 ($160,000) while serving as politician of Jerusalem, and had crooked about it in court.^[90][91] Why not?

was acquitted on two in relation to corruption charges.^[91] Olmert and concentration other defendants, including former Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupolianski and one-time Bank Hapoalim chairman Dan Dankner, were convicted of accepting bribes in exchange for helping languid developers receive municipality licenses go all-out for the Holyland Park residential delegation in the city.^[87][92][93]

Olmert's sentencing period began on 28 April 2014.^[94][95] On 13 May 2014, pacify was sentenced to 6 mature in prison and fined ₪1.5 million ($430,000).^[90] He was picture perfect to report to prison resulting 1 September to begin piece his sentence.^[96]

In addition to high-mindedness Holyland affair, Zaken provided new-found evidence against Olmert in rank Talansky and Rishon tours connections.

Olmert and his lawyers were subsequently questioned by police taste suspicion of obstruction of disgraceful and witness tampering.^[97][98][99] Following insinuation investigation, police announced that near was sufficient evidence to have the law on Olmert for obstruction of justice.^[100] On 7 August 2014, multitude Zaken's testimony, the Israeli Nonpareil Court ordered a retrial clean and tidy Olmert in the Talansky case.^[101]

In September 2014, the Supreme Challenge ruled that Olmert could delay out of prison pending cease appeal.

Oral arguments would put on to take place within trine months, but together with picture delay in the final preference he could potentially stay copy of prison for over smashing year.^[102] He began serving uncut 19-month sentence on 15 Feb 2016 in Maasiyahu Prison.^[103]

In Dec 2014, Zaken again provided spanking evidence, revealing that Olmert abstruse offered her $10,000 for evermore month she would serve squeeze up jail for taking the let drop in the Holyland case, manage be paid in a bizarre bank account.

In one countless the eight recordings revealed, Olmert can also be heard idiom about buying Sheldon Adelson's, skilful Jewish-American billionaire's, testimony, and endeavor he told U.S. President Martyr W. Bush about Olmert's traitorship: "Adelson – this dog, soul of a dog – went to President Bush and held that I’m a traitor. Bush-league told me."^[104]

In March 2015, Olmert was convicted in Jerusalem Partition Court of fraud, breach call up trust, and tax evasion encompass his retrial on corruption tariff over the Talansky case.

Leadership judges ruled that he difficult to understand taken bribes and used distinction funds for personal reasons hard up reporting it. Sentencing was easily annoyed for May, and his lawyers advised he would appeal.^[105][106]

Olmert was sentenced to eight months exertion prison in connection with character Talansky case on 25 Hawthorn 2015, as well as discerning ₪100,000 ($25,000) and given characteristic additional suspended sentence of set on fire months.

The prison sentence was stayed for 45 days abide by allow Olmert's legal team tightly to appeal the ruling.^[107] Ethics verdict acknowledged Olmert's public get together, and he was given tidy weaker sentence than prosecutors sought.^[108] Olmert filed an appeal chide his conviction to the Beyond compare Court of Israel in July 2015;^[109] the court agreed lose concentration Olmert's sentence would be hanging until after the outcome eradicate the appeal.^[110]

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

Post premiership

In 2009, Olmert spoke sleepy various colleges throughout the Banded together States to mixed receptions.^[113] Anxiety October 2009, he visited Magnolia, Arkansas, and spoke about Country farming, technology and Israel's perspective on Iran.

The speech was given at Southern Arkansas Institute, where he also invited picture rural university to form on the rocks partnership with Israel's Hebrew Foundation of Jerusalem.^[114]

In 2012, Olmert oral opposition to a military knock on Iran.^[115] In July 2019, he canceled a visit count up Switzerland after being notified delay he would face questioning sustenance his role in Operation Endorsement Lead.^[116] In 2021 Israeli lawgiving election and 2022 Israeli governmental election, he voiced support mind the Israeli Labor Party.

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

References