Report: Olmert granted personal benefits to Likud activists in 115 cases
PMO confirms some incidents in document are true, but says any help given was 'proper and legitimate.'
By Mazal MualemAn internal document written by an aide of the prime minister in 2005 and revealed Wednesday night by Channel 10 states that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his associates advanced the interests of Likud Central Committee activists in 115 separate incidents.
The document details various incidents in which Olmert's office was involved while he served as Labor, Trade and Industry Minister. The incidents included blocking the dismissal of employees in the Postal Authority, granting permission to employ foreign workers and promoting employees in public positions.
Other incidents detailed in the document include assisting in the advancement of land compromises within the Israel Lands Authority as well as other activities which advanced the interest of Likud members employed by Bezeq; the Employment Service; the Trade Ministry; investment centers, the Israel Small and Medium Enterprises Authority, and others.
The Prime Minister's Office confirmed Wednesday that at least some of the details in the document are accurate, but claims that any treatment given to Likud activists was proper and legitimate.
Some excerpts from the document read as follows: "Pini Sabah - a central committee member from Ashkelon - we arranged for his associates 21 foreign workers [for construction]" and "Freddy Mellick - a central committee member and chairman of the Nesher branch - a nurse to aid his mother."
In an interview with Channel 10, both Sabah and Mellick confirmed they had received these benefits, but denied the involvement of Olmert and his office in the matter.
Raviv Drucker, the Channel 10 journalist who revealed the report, said the document was intended to strengthen Olmert's ranking on the Likud list (No. 33) during his support for the 2005 disengagement from Gaza.
"The prime minister was introduced to the wording of the document for the first time [Wednesday] on Channel 10," the PMO said in response to the allegations. "The document was apparently written by a former political adviser, out of intent to elevate the minister and show his political achievements on behalf of the [Likud] Central Committee. There are clauses that appear to be correct; the righteous and fair handling of requests - mostly from party members - including appointments which were done legally and with proper disclosure, alongside clauses that are incorrect."
The statement also maintains that Olmert was unsuccessful in advancing his placement on the Likud party list because he refused many requests from party members, and that the conduct of the Likud party is "contaminating Israeli politics."
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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. (Lior Mizrahi) |
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does not arrest and belt up all activists. Wafa news 28 February 2007 reports, IDF arrest 15 international pacifists, and belted others with rifle butts during protests against the bulldozing of Palestinian agricultural land and the apartheid wall. Journalists were attacked and prevented from reporting the incident by the IDF.
I agree it won't be me. But we have many realtives in Israel and I always enjoy visiting. My children love going to Israel.
Talk about Chutzpah, I'm surprised he didn't say that's why he quit Likud - because its Labor, Trade and Industry Minister was corrupt.
It is clear that the so called legal system does not prosecute the egregious crimes of pols who are champions of more unilateral withdrawals and expulsions of settlers. Retired Justice Mishael Cheshin said that is why former Chief Justice Barak and Attorney General Mazuz never forced Sharon to account for his corruption. Don't expect Mazuz to act any differently with Olmerd.
you will see. next election, the right will be in power again.
Organize mass protests? Maybe petition the opposition parties to help bring about a no confidence vote? Maybe a few of those Krumbs in Kadima can be induced to jump ship like they did from Likud, trying to save their political a-- as well as perks? Since they are all corrupt perhaps we can ask Arcadi G. to give them a "couple" of shekels to leave and go on a permanent vacation. Anyway, elections cannot come soon enough as the polls continually show.
"He has had others step down, well he has to have big enough batums to realize he hasn`t done a good job and it`s time for someone else to lead." And who exactly this someone else is going to be? Since you are in the US, I figure it wont be you...
I would love to get rid of him and voted for Israel Beitenu last time and will probably vote for Bibi next time. Everyone I know wants to get rid of Olmert. So how do we do it ?
Although anti-Zionists will protest, Olmert's semi-magical hovering above political disaster is not simply due to the particular parlimentary dynamics of a Knesset now yoked again to a party-list Prime Minister. Nor due simply to Olmerts tactical sophistication in spinning at least the appearance of success or a passable substitute for success after strategic blunders. The Israeli electorate as a whole, the underlying majority, doesn't want a big lurch to the right. Although depicted as denizens of a uniquely bloodthirsty demonically charged unterstate, Israeli citizens have accepted the convergence from Gaza and offer no cries to reimpose a standing presence there. They assented to the calling of a "time-out" in the war with Hezbollah. They do not demand immediate confrontation with Iran. They have not cleared out the dovecots. Poor Bibi.
How come all we hear is Olmert does this or does that. It's one problem after another. Israel is in a critical time right now with all that is going on. Israel needs a leader that won't keep bringing distractions to the table. He needs to step down also just because this man went to war to get his soldiers back and all three are still captive. For that alone he needs to take the fall. He has had others step down, well he has to have big enough batums to realize he hasn't done a good job and it's time for someone else to lead.