Israeli prime minister to step down
(How come Olmert is leaving now?) Nobody really knows and Olmert continued to assert that he’s innocent in corruption charges. However I think there was a sense that it was getting worse and worse: from corruption investigations, including a new one about double billing companies for appearances. Olmert always said he would resign if he was indicted. (To what extent the linchpin of this the financier from Long Island?) The money was these cash-stuffed envelopes and allegations are that Olmert used some of the cash for vacations. I think there was a lot of public disgust which started with the War in Lebanon and its mishandling and these corruption allegations made the public feel that enough is enough. (The Bush administration has continued to say that a peace deal is possible by the time it leaves office. Is there any possibility of that now?) The Israeli political side is in such turmoil and the earliest it could be sorted out is October. If that doesn’t happen and the country goes to elections, then that’s February and March�and no matter what it’ll put the peace process on hold.
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