McConnell meets DaganMeanwhile the U.S. Director of National Intelligence, Admiral Mike McConnell, is in Israel on a rare visit. Ehud Olmert (/ˈoʊlmərt, -mɛərt/;[1] Hebrew: .mw-parser-output .script-hebrew,.mw-parser-output .script-Hebr{font-family:"SBL Hebrew","SBL BibLit","Frank Ruehl CLM","Taamey Frank CLM","Ezra SIL","Ezra SIL SR","Keter Aram Tsova","Taamey Ashkenaz","Taamey David CLM","Keter YG","Shofar","David CLM","Hadasim CLM","Simple CLM","Nachlieli",Cardo,Alef,"Noto Serif Hebrew","Noto Sans Hebrew","David Libre",David,"Times New Roman",Gisha,Arial,FreeSerif,FreeSans}אֶהוּד אוֹלְמֶרְט, IPA: [eˈhud ˈolmeʁt] (listen); born 30 September 1945) is an Israeli politician and lawyer. [48] A criminal investigation regarding the matter was formally launched on 24 September 2007. [111], In July 2019, he canceled a planned visit to Switzerland after the country's authorities notified Israel he would be taken for questioning for committing potential war crimes in Operation Cast Lead. [23] However, Israeli columnist Caroline Glick wrote that Israel had bowed to US demands in concealing the airstrike. In 2004, Olmert conceded that he had taken $75,000, and stressed that Almaliah had not asked for repayment of the loan. They are born because of differences in tradition and history; they are born because of differences in emotional, political and national circumstances. "The Jewish organizations, which were our power base in America, will be the first to come out against us", Olmert said, "because they will say they cannot support a state that does not support democracy and equal voting rights for all its residents". [12][13] He nonetheless came under harsh criticism from both ends of the Israeli political spectrum due to the perceived threat to Israel's policy of ambiguity regarding its nuclear status. ", Olmert reportedly told Bush: "From a personal point of view, I must say that I admire the patience and the strong emotion that you show the State of Israel as a person of your stature. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hinted after his meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush Wednesday that U.S. action against Iran is imminent. Both sides disagreed over how much land would be exchanged in the swaps, with Olmert demanding at least 6.3–6.8% of the West Bank and Abbas insisting a swap would not exceed 1.9%. The indictment refers to three out of the four corruption-related cases standing against him: "Rishon Tours", "Talansky" (also known as the "money envelopes" affair), and the "Investment Center". [41] The move has been interpreted as signaling the end of Olmert's political career. He now faces up to five years in prison in addition to a six-year sentence he received last year in a separate bribery conviction amid a Jerusalem property scandal. Details of the strike were censored in Israel, and the attack was not confirmed to have taken place until 2 October. He served as the head of the election campaign for Likud in the elections, and subsequently was the chief negotiator of the coalition agreement. "[60][61] On 2 May, head of the National Fraud Investigations Unit Brigadier-General Shlomi Ayalon and two investigators questioned Olmert for 90 minutes in his Jerusalem residence. But his former office manager and confidant Shula Zaken offered diary entries and conversation tape recordings of Olmert about illicitly receiving cash, which triggered a retrial. The conference aimed to revive the Israeli–Palestinian peace process and implement the " Roadmap … Prosecutors charged that Olmert had gained $92,164. On 6 September 2007, Israel launched Operation Orchard, an airstrike against a suspected nuclear reactor in Syria, allegedly being built with North Korean and Iranian assistance. Olmert served with the Israel Defense Forces in the Golani Brigade. Olmert also met with Vide President Dick Cheney at Cheney's residence. Olmert had an initial period of 28 days to form a governing coalition, with a possible two-week extension. As Mayor of Jerusalem, Olmert allegedly took thousands of shekels in bribe money from businessmen, entrepreneurs, and stakeholders. The State Prosecutor's office said that it was not aware of Olmert's repayment of either loan. [30] However, Syria broke off the talks several months later in response to the Gaza War. He called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated threats to destroy Israel "absolutely criminal", and said that he expected "more dramatic steps to be taken". After his appointment, Olmert said: I voted against Menachem Begin, I told him it was a historic mistake, how dangerous it would be, and so on and so on. [58][59] Olmert said that he took campaign contributions from Jewish-American businessman Morris Talansky when he was running for mayor of Jerusalem, leadership of the Likud and candidacy in the Likud list for the Knesset. [31], Rocket and mortar attacks by Palestinian terrorists from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Israel occurred frequently throughout the spring and summer of 2008, until a ceasefire was agreed between Hamas and Israel in June. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. "George, I'm asking you to bomb the compound," Olmert told Bush, according to the book, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters. [32] The ceasefire expired in December 2008 and negotiations stalled between the two parties to renew the ceasefire. It cannot vote in favor of such a resolution. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. On 4 May 2006, Olmert presented his new government to the Knesset. Dagan is reportedly trying to persuade McConnell that Iran has ambitions to develop nuclear weapons and is en route to doing so. On 16 January 2006, Olmert was elected chairman of Kadima, and Kadima's candidate for prime minister in the upcoming election. Then, Olmert and the cabinet reaffirmed in an announcement that the 28 March elections would be held as scheduled. The state comptroller testified against Olmert. [20], During the talks, Olmert agreed that Israel would share Jerusalem as the joint capital of Israel and a Palestinian state and hand over its holy sites to a multinational committee, land swaps that would allow Israel to keep its major settlement blocs in the West Bank, the construction of a tunnel connecting the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and a demilitarized Palestinian state with an American-led international security force stationed on the Palestinian–Jordanian border. PRESIDENT BUSH: -- rare that I wrote the letter, or rare that I believed what I wrote? PRIME MINISTER OLMERT: First of all, I want to emphasize again what I said before and what I said before the elections and immediately after the elections in Israel, and when my government was inaugurated in the Knesset just a couple of weeks ago. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, US President George Bush and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Annapolis Conference. [106], In October 2007, Olmert announced that he had prostate cancer. [96][97], Olmert was sentenced to eight months in prison in connection with the Talansky case on 25 May 2015, as well as fined ₪100,000 ($25,000) and given an additional suspended sentence of eight months. On 24 May 2006, Olmert was invited to address a joint session of the U.S. The post was later given to Labor's Isaac Herzog. I told him the United States could not vote in favor. [81] He was ordered to report to prison on 1 September to begin serving his sentence. They are all partners in this government's total failure. In an interview with German TV network Sat.1 on 11 December 2006, Olmert included Israel in a list of nuclear powers, saying: "Iran, openly, explicitly and publicly, threatens to wipe Israel off the map. He underwent many treatments, and later completed his military duties as a journalist for the IDF magazine BaMahane. Olmert took over as acting prime minister of Israel after Ariel Sharon suffered a stroke. At the same time, he said, "We firmly stand by the historic right of the people of Israel to the entire Land of Israel. President Bush wrote in his memoirs that the talks broke down when Olmert announced that he would resign from office, and Abbas then broke off the talks and refused to finalize an agreement on the grounds that he did not want to sign a peace deal with a Prime Minister on his way out of office. The fighting lasted 22 days until a ceasefire came into effect. [82] Olmert and eight other defendants, including former Jerusalem mayor Uri Lupolianski and former Bank Hapoalim chairman Dan Dankner, were convicted of accepting bribes in exchange for helping land developers receive municipality licenses for the Holyland Park residential project in the city. In his address, he spoke of how "Political leaders can help change the psychological climate which affects the quality of relationships among people." Olmert told reporters, "[U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice] was left shamed. [49] The investigation closed in August 2009 due to lack of evidence. A former Israeli Prime Minister was convicted of corruption today after unlawfully accepting money from a US supporter. [112], In 2020, Olmert is present in the media as a very harsh, outspoken and strong-worded critic of the Netanyahu administration and the Likud party. [102], The couple has four biological children and an adopted daughter. While he avoided saying anything clear and specific on the matter, Olmert did mention a "timetable" and said action would take place before Bush leaves the White House. He served as minister without portfolio, responsible for minority affairs between 1988 and 1990, and as minister of health from 1990 until 1992. [68] This was the first indictment of someone who has ever held the office of Israeli Prime Minister. According to a profile in the Israeli men's magazine Blazer, the hawkish Dagan favors quiet diplomatic contacts regarding Iran, accompanied by accelerated operational readiness. [75][76] After Olmert began accusing his secretary, Shula Zaken, of committing the crimes he was charged with, Zaken began negotiating a plea bargain with prosecutors. They were also part of Herut, the opposition to the long-ruling Mapai party. "I left with a lot less question marks [than I had entered with] regarding the means, the timetable restrictions and America's resoluteness to deal with the problem.". 'Operational subjects'American National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley dodged reporters' questions Wednesday on whether Prime Minister Ehud Olmert directly urged American President George W. Bush to take military action against Iran. sad – Israel's foreign intelligence arm – and will meet Defense Minister Ehud Barak Thursday morning. The post was later given to Labor's Isaac Herzog. [73] On 30 June, the prosecution began a cross-examination on the various charges. Olmert became prime minister and minister for welfare. A resolution that she prepared and arranged, and in the end she did not vote in favor. In 1966, during the Gahal party convention (a predecessor to today's Likud), party leader Menachem Begin was challenged by the young Olmert, who called for his resignation. I was elected by you, citizens of Israel, to be the Prime Minister and I don't intend to shirk this responsibility. [48], On 16 January 2007, a criminal investigation was initiated against Olmert. [67], On 30 August 2009, an indictment against Olmert was served at the Jerusalem District Court. [103] The oldest daughter, Michal, holds a master's in psychology and leads workshops in creative thinking. Rocket attacks increased sharply in November after an Israeli raid on an Hamas-built smuggling tunnel. [40][41] In his resignation speech, he addressed the cases of corruption of which he is being accused, saying he is "proud to be a citizen of a country in which a Prime Minister can be investigated like any other citizen", but also stated he "was forced to defend [himself] from ceaseless attacks by the self-appointed soldiers of justice, who sought to oust [him] from [his] position". The charge sheet said that Olmert was aware he was in an "acute conflict of interest". However, by the 1970s, this was proving less detrimental to one's career than during the 1950s. [78], On 10 July 2012, Olmert was convicted on one count of breach of trust over the investment center case, but exonerated over the Talansky and Rishon Tours affairs. Sentencing was set for May, and his lawyers advised he would appeal. He got off the podium and spoke to me. In June 2006 she attended a march in Tel Aviv protesting alleged Israeli complicity in the Gaza beach blast, which made her the subject of bitter criticism from right-wing personalities. Because of such differences, people fear they cannot live together. [48] During a parliamentary inquest in July 2007, Olmert flatly denied these accusations. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? As part of the plea bargain, Zaken agreed to provide evidence and testify against Olmert as a state's witness. On 6 April, Olmert was officially asked by President Moshe Katsav to form a government. A political process that does not aim to change the other or to overcome differences, but that allows each side to live peacefully in spite of their differences."[4]. McConnell is meeting security officials in Israel, who are trying to convince him that the U.S. needs to change its position regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities. The prosecution also claimed that Olmert used his official capacity as minister of trade and industry to facilitate introductions with hotel managers for Talansky, a partner in a firm providing mini-bars for hotels. Air and naval strikes continued for days, when on 3 January 2009 the IDF began a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip. Olmert’s lawyers said they are “very disappointed” and would likely appeal the ruling. Rishon Tours then billed each group for the same trip as if they alone were paying, and placed the money in a special bank account allegedly for Olmert's personal use. [48], In July 2008, Haaretz reported that in 1992, Olmert took a loan from U.S. businessman Joe Almaliah, but never repaid it, and concealed the true size of the loan from the State Comptroller. [22][23][24][25][26][27], During at least two meetings, Olmert made a secret promise to Abbas: Once a prisoner exchange deal for captive Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit was finalized with Hamas, Israel would bolster Abbas' government by releasing Fatah prisoners. His doctors declared it to be a minor risk. In May 2007, Olmert's approval rating fell to 3%,[10] and he became the subject of a Google Bomb for the Hebrew for "miserable failure". Olmert and his lawyers were subsequently questioned by police on suspicion of obstruction of justice and witness tampering. Olmert became prime minister and minister for welfare. Therefore, the official declaration took effect on 14 April, formally ending Sharon's term as prime minister and making Olmert the country's new Interim Prime Minister in office (he would not become the official prime minister until he formed a government). He said sanctions Israeli security officials are trying to convince McConnell that the U.S. needs to change its position regarding Iran's nuclear capabilities.are "only an initial step" and that there is "no doubt as to the urgent need for more drastic and robust measures.". File. "[38] When asked about the comments, a White House spokesman said that Olmert's version of events was "inaccurate".[39]. [81], On 31 March 2014, five years to the day after he was replaced by Benjamin Netanyahu as Prime Minister, Olmert was convicted of two counts of bribery over the Holyland affair by Tel Aviv District Court Judge David Rosen, who ruled that he had accepted ₪560,000 ($160,000) while serving as mayor of Jerusalem, and had lied about it in court. Israel loves you very much, and your wife Laura. Control over the Welfare Ministry was expected to be given to United Torah Judaism if it would join the government. She is a lesbian and lives with her partner in Tel Aviv. [29], In May 2008, Israel opened Turkish-brokered indirect peace talks with Syria. "This is a person who briefs U.S. President Bush every morning about the security-related reality, based upon information collected by the intelligence network, and hence his importance [for Israel]," a security source told NRG. "[44], After Tzipi Livni won the leadership election, Olmert officially resigned but remained prime minister, according to the dictates of the law. [43] Opposition leaders called for the resignation to be followed by general elections. [92], In September 2014, the Supreme Court ruled that Olmert could stay out of prison pending an appeal. Are you sure you want to delete this comment? The strike was preceded by years of covert operations by Israeli special forces and the Mossad. The speech was given at Southern Arkansas University, where he also invited the rural university to form a partnership with Israel's Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Control over the Welfare Ministry was expected to be given to United Torah Judaism if it would join the government. On 4 January 2006, as the designated Acting Prime Minister, Olmert became Acting Prime Minister as a result of the serious stroke suffered by then Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Olmert was born near Binyamina in the British Mandate of Palestine. Following the strike, Bush claimed to have suggested to Olmert to hide the strike for a while and then make it public as a way to isolate the Syrian government, but Olmert asked for total secrecy, wanting to avoid anything that could force Syria to retaliate. [35] The attacks did not stop and Israel launched its military 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. [87], In addition to the Holyland affair, Zaken provided new evidence against Olmert in the Talansky and Rishon tours affairs. His speech concluded with reflections on the importance of political process in overcoming differences: "How are fears born? Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hinted after his meeting with U.S. President George W. Bush Wednesday that U.S. action against Iran is imminent. Following the attack, Olmert's approval rating rose to 35%. The Likud party leader, Benjamin Netanyahu, called for snap elections: "It doesn't matter who heads Kadima. "When he died at the age of 88, he spoke his last words in Mandarin Chinese", he recalled. [74], In January 2012, Olmert was indicted for taking bribes over the Holyland affair. The Annapolis Conference was a Middle East peace conference held on 27 November 2007, at the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, United States. [70] The court began hearing testimonies on 22 February 2010, with three discussions per week. [11], On 9 December 2006, Olmert stated that he could not rule out the possibility of a military attack against Iran, and called for the international community to step up action against that country. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrote in her memoirs that the Palestinians demanded they be allowed to negotiate additional "returns" to Israel following the peace deal, insisting that the right of return was a matter of individual choice that would ultimately have to apply to every refugee. [91] On 7 August 2014, following Zaken's testimony, the Israeli Supreme Court ordered a retrial of Olmert in the Talansky case. Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said "the personal decision was not simple, but it was a correct one. In March 2003, State Comptroller Eliezer Goldberg asked Olmert to submit the wealth-declaration statement required of all cabinet ministers. The 100-day replacement deadline was extended due to the Jewish festival of Passover, and a provision was made that, should Sharon's condition improve between 11 and 14 April, the declaration would not take effect. In his memoir, "Decision Points," to hit bookstores Tuesday, Bush says that shortly after he received an intelligence report about a "suspicious, well-hidden facility in the eastern desert of Syria," he spoke by phone with former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Olmert's grandfather J. J. Olmert settled in Harbin after fleeing post-World War I Russia. According to Israeli journalist Yossi Melman, the repeated investigations led some to believe that Olmert was corrupt but a master at covering his tracks, while others believed that the authorities were simply obsessed with harassing him. [42], Many politicians across the political spectrum praised Olmert's decision to resign. [108], In 2009, Olmert spoke at various colleges throughout the United States to mixed receptions. In a press conference, Israeli Prime Minister Olmert declared the ceasefire effective that night, at 00:00 GMT on 18 January. [93] As of March 2015, Olmert was yet to serve his sentence. Olmert Hints U.S. Action on Iran Nukes is Near. [69] On 25 September 2009, Olmert's trial opened. It was alleged that Olmert unlawfully received millions of shekels in illegal campaign funding from Talansky over a 15-year period. They said he was in the middle of giving a speech in Philadelphia. [56], In October 2007, Attorney General Mazuz ordered a police investigation into allegations that Olmert, when he held the positions of trade minister, communications minister and finance minister, had improperly appointed associates from the Likud party to posts on government bodies. They emigrated to Israel to fulfill their dream of building a Jewish and democratic state living in peace in the land of our ancestors. A portrait of Ehud Olmert, Prime Minister of Israel, painted by former president George W. Bush . In one of the eight recordings revealed, Olmert can also be heard talking about buying Sheldon Adelson's, a Jewish-American billionaire's, testimony, and how he told U.S. President George W. Bush about Olmert's traitorship: "Adelson – this dog, son of a dog – went to President Bush and said that I’m a traitor. But the talks must be a discussion, not an ultimatum. [107] In April 2009, Olmert's spokesman issued a statement indicating that Olmert's cancer had deteriorated. We've said that if there is rocket fire against the south of the country, there will be a severe and disproportionate Israeli response to the fire on the citizens of Israel and its security forces. The talks with Syria have reportedly aroused the ire of the U.S., which sees Syria as a leading member of the Axis of Evil. "We reached agreement on the need to take care of the Iranian threat," Olmert said after the meeting. "[95], In March 2015, Olmert was convicted in Jerusalem District Court of fraud, breach of trust, and tax evasion in his retrial on corruption charges over the Talansky case. "George Bush understands the severity of the Iranian threat and the need to vanquish it, and intends to act on the matter before the end of his term in the White House," Olmert reportedly said after his 90 minute long one-on-one meeting with the American Commander in Chief. Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines. His departure from politics cleared the way for current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s election. Aliza is more left-leaning in her politics than her husband. The indictment was filed in the Tel Aviv District Court. During the days following the stroke, Olmert met with Shimon Peres and other Sharon supporters to try to convince them to stay with Kadima, rather than return to Likud or, in Peres' case, Labor. [9] He stated that his government would proceed with the disengagement plan if it could not come to agreement with the Palestinians. After serving as PM he was sentenced to serve a prison term over convictions for accepting bribes and for obstruction of justice during his terms as mayor of Jerusalem and as trade minister. Begin announced that he would retire from party leadership, but soon reversed his decision when the crowd emotionally pleaded with him to stay. Getty Images. [46], On 7 March 2006, it was disclosed that an inquiry was being carried out on the 1999 sale and lease-back of a Jerusalem property purchased by Olmert in 2004, which allegedly was done on financial terms very favorable to Olmert, in what would amount to an illegal campaign contribution and/or bribe. He opened a successful law partnership in Jerusalem. (Laughter.) The Art of Leadership by George W Bush Paintings by George W Bush. Olmert's wife, Aliza, is a writer of novels and theater plays, as well as an artist. Between his first and second stints as a cabinet member, he served as mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003. [7] In his first major policy address on 24 January 2006 after becoming caretaker Prime Minister, Olmert stated that he backed the creation of a Palestinian state, and that Israel would have to relinquish parts of the West Bank to maintain its Jewish majority. He also spearheaded the development of the light rail system in Jerusalem, and the investment of millions of shekels in the development of mass transportation options for the city. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. “His behaviour constitutes a breach of trust which harms the public, harms morality, and harms the public’s trust, in how he behaved corruptly,” prosecutor Uri Korev said following the verdict at Jerusalem District Court. In the night between Thursday and Friday, when the Secretary of State wanted to lead the vote on a ceasefire at the Security Council, we did not want her to vote in favor. Ehud Olmert hoped to lead the country to a historic peace agreement with Palestinians in the most generous deal to date before being forced to resign in 2009 over corruption allegations. Olmert told reporters: "I hope that the contacts with Damascus will take Syria out of the Axis of Evil." Olmert resisted calls to resign, and stated: "I never took bribes, I never took a penny for myself. Following the March 2006 election, Kadima won 29 seats, making it the largest party. From 2003 to 2004, he also served as Minister of Communications. Between 1993 and 2003, Olmert served two terms as mayor of Jerusalem, the first member of Likud or its precursors to hold the position. [53] State Prosecutor Moshe Lador closed the case in December 2008 due to lack of evidence. [45], Beginning in the mid-1980s, Olmert was subjected to a string of corruption allegations that resulted in multiple police investigations. [79][80] In September 2012, he was given a one-year suspended sentence and a fine of ₪75,000 ($21,000). On 6 September 2008, the Israel Police recommended that criminal charges should be brought against Olmert. "He is one of the people with the most influence on U.S. foreign policy.". [5] Olmert, who had originally opposed withdrawing from land captured in the Six-Day War, and who had voted against the Camp David Peace Accords in 1978, was a vocal supporter of the Gaza pullout. Olmert said that his father had never forgotten his Chinese hometown after moving to what was then the British Mandate of Palestine, in 1933, at the age of 22. Kadima must continue to act in a way that will preserve its unity and ability to lead. Olmert had plans to offer 95% of the West Bank to Palestinians, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. [109] In October 2009, he visited Magnolia, Arkansas, and spoke about Israeli farming, technology and Israel's view on Iran. Following the elections he was appointed as Designated Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor. After Livni announced she could not form the new government, new parliamentary elections were set for 10 February 2009, and Olmert remained in power until after the elections, just as the law dictates. [55] Prosecutors said that Olmert placed himself in a conflict of interest by personally dealing with issues involving business figures represented by his friend and former business partner, lawyer Uri Messer.