Opposition MKs were quick to demand Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's resignation in response to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz's decision to open a new criminal investigation against him, and even some coalition MKs lambasted his behavior.

"In no properly functioning state does a prime minister remain in office while under criminal investigation," said MK Zevulun Orlev (National Religious Party), chairman of the Knesset State Control Committee. "Instead of offering benefits to the Palestinians and releasing terrorists, the prime minister must step down immediately."

Meretz Chairman Yossi Beilin said that the attorney general's decision, as well as a long list of other investigations against the prime minister, raise very serious questions about his ability to carry out his the most important task on Israel's behalf at this time - namely, the ongoing talks with the Palestinians. But unlike Orlev, Beilin said that Olmert would have to step down only "if the investigation against him reaches the point at which charges are brought against him."