Middle East

Barak calls for Olmert to step down

Article published on the 2008-05-28 Latest update 2008-05-28 15:02 TU

US businessman Morris Talansky in court in Jerusalem
(Photo: AFP)

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak called for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to quit immediately or face snap elections in light of corruption allegations against the premier. Barak said that, if Olmert refuses to go, he will pull the Labour Party out of the governing coalition, depricing it of its majority in parliament. A wealthy US businessman testified in Jerusalem on Tuesday that he gave Olmert $150,000 to fund his political aspirations and personal use.

Olmert, who heads the Kadima Party, has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Should the 17 Labor MPs quit the coalition, the government, would lose its majority. It currently has 67 seats in the 120-member Knesset.

Olmert's publicist Tal Silberstein told Israeli Army radio that Olmert does not intend to step down.

Other Kadima party members, including Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz and Internal Security Minister Avi Dichter have expressed interest in the Prime Minister's job.

Jewish-American financier Morris Talansky yesterday told a Jerusalem court that he had given envelopes of money to Olmert and his assistant over the past 14 years, dating back from the time he was mayor of Jerusalem until he became Prime Minister in 2006.