Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., November 10, 2007 Cheshvan 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 05:47 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Print Edition Diplomacy Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel

Accountant General Yaron Zelekha. (Nir Keidar) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 05:44 10/11/2007 Accountant General Zelekha announces plan to step down By Zvi Zrahiya and Moti Bassok, Haaretz Correspondents and Haaretz Service tags: Israel, Finance Ministry  The Finance Ministry's Accountant General announced Friday that he would step down from his post in approximately a month. Yaron Zelekha's announcement came amidst calls for his removal from the ministry in recent months. In an interview with Channel 10 ? to be aired in its entirety on Saturday ? Zelekha said that "after the police investigation against the prime minister has been concluded, and the findings have been transferred to the state prosecution, and after I completed the reforms I had wanted to affect, I have given notice that I will step down in one month's time." Advertisement Zelekha uncovered the Bank Leumi affair involving Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and is considered a steadfast fighter against government corruption. Zelekha said that it was he who set the date for his resignation, and that he is certain that had he set a different date, he would have received the full support of the state comptroller retired judge Micha Lindenstrauss. "The support that the comptroller has given me in my battle against corruption has been unequivocal. There is no room for any doubt regarding his willingness to take a strong stand against government corruption," Zelekha said. Last month, Lindenstrauss issued a temporary order barring Finance Minister Roni Bar-On from dismissing Zelekha from his post for "exposing corruption." As ombudsman, Lindenstrauss has the authority to grant protection to officials who uncover corruption. The order prevented Bar-On from carrying out his plan to bring before the cabinet for approval the appointment of Shuki Oren as Zelekha's replacement in the post of accountant general. Following the comptroller's decision, the top echelon of the Finance Ministry convened a press conference and harshly criticized Zelekha's conduct. Finance Ministry Director General Yarom Ariav said at the press conference that Zelekha's behavior was "severely harming the productivity of the ministry, and consequently the economy of Israel." Related articles: Treasury Director General: Zelekha's conduct is harming the economy of Israel Facing ouster, Accountant-General accuses PM of personal vendetta State Prosecutor Eran Shendar: I won't prevent Zelekha's ouster Zelekha says political, business leaders setting out to vilify him Bookmark to del.icio.us Freedom of speech A Spanish court rules that the crime of Holocaust denial does not warrant a jail sentence. Road map to peace Israel and PA agree a future deal between them will hinge on implementing the road map.

Today Online Jessica Balaban: Why should world Jewry aid Israeli Arabs? Responses: 126 Jacob Victor: Mukasey is the latest victim of the malaise of U.S. Jewish leadership Responses: 103 Israel, PA agree future deals conditional on carrying out road map Responses: 116 Top Hamas official: We'll conquer W. Bank if Israel withdraws Responses: 87 Israel seeks fresh Holocaust reparations deal with Germany Responses: 201 M. Firillas: Pakistan turmoil raises specter of an Islamic bomb Responses: 42 Rosner's Domain 18%, 28%, 46%, 52%: how many really support military action in Iran? (WTR) Annapolis dictionary: P is for photo-op Rosner's Guest: Why not a women's Talmud? Poll: Should American Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies? More Headlines 05:43 IDF kills two Palestinians trying to plant bomb on Gaza border 05:16 Top Hamas official: We'll seize West Bank if Israel withdraws 19:57 Spanish court rules out jail sentences for Holocaust denial 15:44 East J'lem man charged with bid to sell Hezbollah info on MIA 05:17 Dutch Jews: Germany unjustly not paying Dutch Holocaust survivors 05:44 Accountant General Zelekha announces plan to step down 15:33 U.S. to give Nablus $1M in aid in pre-summit boost for Abbas 18:58 PA news agency strikes to protest arrest of executive for airing Hamas 05:16 Peretz: Defense Min. Barak's policy of silence is hurting Labor 23:05 UN: 2,000 Palestinians fleeing Iraq stranded on border with Syria Previous Editions Select Day 09 nov 08 nov 07 nov 06 nov 05 nov 04 nov 02 nov 01 nov 31 oct 30 oct 29 oct 28 oct

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