Ehud Olmert אהוד אולמרט
Prime Minister of Israel
Incumbent
Assumed office  04 January 2006 Acting until 14 April 2006; Interim until 04 May 2006
President	Moshe Katsav Shimon Peres
Deputy	Tzipi Livni
Preceded by	Ariel Sharon
Mayor of Jerusalem
In office 1993 – 2003
Preceded by	Teddy Kollek
Succeeded by	Uri Lupolianski
Born	30 September 1945 (1945-09-30) (age 62) Binyamina, British Mandate of Palestine
Political party	Kadima
Spouse	Aliza Olmert
Religion	Judaism
Olmert assumed all duties of the Prime Minister after Ariel Sharon's stroke. The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and is the most powerful political officer in Israel (the President of Israel being a titular figurehead Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Moshe Katsav (משה קצב born 5 December 1945) is a former President of Israel and member of the Knesset. (שמעון פרס born Szymon Perski on August 2 1923, is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Tzipora Malka "Tzipi" Livni (ציפורה מלכה "ציפי" לבני born 8 July 1958 in Tel Aviv, Israel) is Foreign Affairs Minister (אריאל This is the list of Mayors of Jerusalem in chronological order Year 1993 ( MCMXCIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1993 Gregorian calendar) Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Theodor "Teddy" Kollek ( טדי קולק) ( May 27, 1911 &ndash January 2 2007) was Mayor of Jerusalem Uri Lupolianski was elected Mayor of Jerusalem on June 6, 2003, after serving on the Jerusalem City Council from 1989. Events 1399 - Henry IV is proclaimed King of England. 1744 - France and Spain defeat the Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Binyamina (בִּנְיָמִינָה is a town in the Haifa District of Israel, south of Haifa and north of Netanya. The Palestine Mandate, was a set of protocols or articles that formed a multilateral legal and administrative agreement Kadima (קדימה lit Forward) is a political party in Israel. Aliza Olmert ( עליזה אולמרט) (born 1946 is an Israeli artist photographer author and social worker Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut (אריאל The illnesses of Ariel Sharon are a series of medical problems that former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has experienced especially coming to the

Ehud Olmert (Hebrew: אהוד אולמרט‎ pronounced [ɛˈhud ˈolmeʁt], born 30 September 1945) is the 12th and current Prime Minister of Israel. Events 1399 - Henry IV is proclaimed King of England. 1744 - France and Spain defeat the Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and is the most powerful political officer in Israel (the President of Israel being a titular figurehead Olmert became the interim Prime Minister on 14 April 2006 but had been exercising the powers of the office as Acting Prime Minister since they were transferred to him on 4 January 2006 after Ariel Sharon suffered a severe hemorrhagic stroke. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. (אריאל A stroke is the rapidly developing loss of brain functions due to a disturbance in the blood vessels supplying blood to the brain ^[1] His position as head of government was confirmed upon the formation of the 31st government on 4 May 2006. The Cabinet of Israel is a formal body composed of government officials chosen and led by a Prime Minister. Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. He is a member of the Kadima political party. Kadima (קדימה lit Forward) is a political party in Israel.

Olmert has previously been the Deputy Prime Minister of Israel, Finance Minister, Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor, and Minister responsible for the Israel Lands Administration, as well as Mayor of Jerusalem. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Finance Ministers of Israel, 1948-present 1948 - 1952 Eliezer Kaplan 1952 - 1963 Levi Eshkol This is the list of Mayors of Jerusalem in chronological order ^[2]

Biography

Youth and military service

Born near Binyamina in the British Mandate of Palestine, Ehud Olmert is a graduate of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem with degrees in psychology, philosophy and law. Binyamina (בִּנְיָמִינָה is a town in the Haifa District of Israel, south of Haifa and north of Netanya. The Palestine Mandate, was a set of protocols or articles that formed a multilateral legal and administrative agreement The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (האוניברסיטה העברית בירושלים الجامعة العبرية في القدس abbreviated HUJI) is Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language Law is a system of rules enforced through a set of Institutions used as an instrument to underpin civil obedience politics economics and society

According to Olmert, his parents, Bellah and Mordechai, escaped "persecution in Ukraine and Russia and found sanctuary in Harbin, China. Ukraine (Україна Ukrayina, /ukrɑˈjinɑ/ is a country in Eastern Europe. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending ( Russian Kharbin) is a Sub-provincial city and the Capital of the Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National They emigrated to Israel to fulfill their dream of building a Jewish and democratic state living in peace in the land of our ancestors. " [1] Olmert's childhood included membership in the Beitar Youth Organization and dealing with the fact that his parents were often blacklisted and discriminated against due to their affiliation with the Jewish militia group the Irgun. The Betar Movement (בית"ר also spelled Beitar) is a Revisionist Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 in Irgun (ארגון shorthand for HaIrgun HaTzva'i HaLe'umi BeEretz Yisra'el, he הארגון הצבאי הלאומי בארץ ישראל "National Military Organization They were also part of Herut, the opposition to the long-ruling Mapai party. This article is about the political party For other uses see Herut (disambiguation. for the town in Mozambique see Mapai Mozambique Mapai (מפא"י an acronym for Mifleget Poalei Eretz Yisrael (מפלגת However, by the 1970s this was proving less detrimental to one's career than during the 1950s, and Olmert succeeded in opening a successful law partnership in Jerusalem.

Olmert served with the Israel Defense Forces in the Golani combat brigade. The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF) (צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, lit The Golani Brigade (חטיבת גולני also known as the 1st Brigade is an Israeli Infantry brigade which was formed on February 28, 1948 when the While in service he was injured and temporarily released. He underwent many treatments. Later he completed his military duties as a journalist for the IDF magazine BaMahane. Bamahane (also BaMahane, במחנה lit in the base camp is a weekly magazine published by the Israel Defense Forces. During the Yom Kippur war he joined the headquarters of Ariel Sharon as a military correspondent. The Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War (מלחמת יום הכיפורים transliterated: Milkhemet Yom HaKipurim or מלחמת יום (אריאל Already a Knesset member, he decided to go through an Officer's course, at the age of 35, in 1980. For Beit Knesset a Jewish Place of worship, see Synagogue. The Knesset (כנסת lit

Family

Ehud Olmert's wife, Aliza, is a writer of novels and theater plays, as well as an artist. Aliza Olmert ( עליזה אולמרט) (born 1946 is an Israeli artist photographer author and social worker It has been rumored that Aliza was a (founding) member of the Israeli left wing organization Women in Black. ^[3] Some people believe that Aliza is more left-leaning in her politics than her husband. She claimed to have voted for him for the first time in 2006. ^[4]

The couple has four biological children and an adopted daughter. ^[5] The oldest daughter, Michal, holds a Masters in psychology and leads workshops in creative thinking. Psychology (from Greek grc ψῡχή psȳkhē, "breath life soul" and grc -λογία -logia) is an Academic and Creativity is a mental process involving the generation of new Ideas or Concepts, or new associations of the creative mind between existing ideas or concepts Their daughter Dana is a lecturer in literature at the Tel Aviv University and the editor of a literature series. Dana Olmert is an Israeli Left wing activist literary theorist and editor, and is a daughter of Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Tel Aviv University (TAU אוניברסיטת תל־אביב את"א is Israel 's largest on-site University, located in Tel Aviv. She is a lesbian and lives with her partner in Tel Aviv. A lesbian is a Woman who is romantically or sexually attracted only to other women Tel Aviv-Yafo (תֵּל ־אָבִיב-יָפוֹ تل أبيب Tal ʾAbīb) (usually Tel Aviv) is the second-largest city in Israel Her parents are accepting of her sexual orientation and partner. Dana is active in the Jerusalem branch of the Israeli human rights organization Machsom Watch. Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the Human rights refers to the "basic Rights and freedoms to which all humans are entitled Machsom Watch, or Checkpoint Watch is a group of Israeli women who monitor Palestinian at Israeli checkpoints. 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. See also 2006 Israel-Gaza conflict The Gaza beach blast was an event on June 9, 2006 in which eight Palestinians were killed and ^[6]

Their son Shaul Olmert married an Israeli artist and lives in New York. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous He is currently a Vice President at Nickelodeon. Nickelodeon (commonly referred to as Nick) is an American Cable television network owned by Viacom International, founded in 1977 as Pinwheel After Shaul had finished his military service, he signed a petition of the Israeli left-wing organization Yesh G'vul. Refusal to serve in the Israeli military includes both refusal to obey specific orders and refusal to serve in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF in any capacity due to pacifistic He later became the spokesman of Beitar Jerusalem FC, his father's favorite football team. Beitar Jerusalem FC (מועדון כדורגל בית"ר ירושלים Mōadōn Kadūregel Beitár Yerushaláyim) is an Israeli Football (soccer This team is often associated with the Israeli right. Ehud's younger son Ariel, who did not serve in the Israeli Army, studies French literature at the Sorbonne in Paris. The Israel Defense Forces ( IDF) (צְבָא הַהֲגָנָה לְיִשְׂרָאֵל, lit This article is a general introduction to French literature For detailed information on French literature in specific historic periods see the separate historical articles in the Paris (ˈpærɨs in English; in French) is the Capital of France and the country's largest city Shuli is their adopted daughter. She was orphaned from her mother at birth. ^[7][8]

Olmert's father Mordechai, considered a pioneer of Israel's land settlement and a former member of the Second and Third Knessets, grew up in the Chinese city of Harbin where he led the local Betar youth movement. ( Russian Kharbin) is a Sub-provincial city and the Capital of the Heilongjiang Province in Northeast China. The Betar Movement (בית"ר also spelled Beitar) is a Revisionist Zionist youth movement founded in 1923 in Olmert's grandfather, J. J. Olmert settled in Harbin after fleeing post World War-I Russia. ^[9] In 2004, Ehud Olmert visited China and paid his respects at the tomb of his grandfather in Harbin. 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. "When he died at the age of 88, he spoke his last words in Chinese", he recalled. ^[10]

Israel

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Israel

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MK and Minister

In 1966, during Gahal's party convention (a predecessor to today's Likud), party leader Menachem Begin was challenged by the young Ehud Olmert, who called for his resignation. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Politics of Israel takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic Republic, whereby the Prime Minister of Israel is The Basic Laws of Israel (חוקי יסוד Hokei Yesod) are a key component of Israel 's Unwritten constitution. The Jerusalem Law is a common name of Basic Law Jerusalem Capital of Israel passed by the Knesset on July 30, 1980 (17th The Law of Return ( Hebrew: חוק השבות ḥok ha-shvūt) is Israeli legislation originating in 1950 that gives Jews those of Jewish ancestry The President of the State of Israel (נשיא המדינה Nesi HaMedina, lit (שמעון פרס born Szymon Perski on August 2 1923, is the ninth President of the State of Israel. The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and is the most powerful political officer in Israel (the President of Israel being a titular figurehead The Cabinet of Israel is a formal body composed of government officials chosen and led by a Prime Minister. The power of the Knesset to supervise and review government policies and operations is exercised mainly through the state Comptroller (מבקר המדינה Mevaker For Beit Knesset a Jewish Place of worship, see Synagogue. The Knesset (כנסת lit The Speaker of the Knesset is the presiding officer in the Knesset, Israel 's Parliament and also fills the role of the President when he or she Dalia Itzik (דליה איציק born 20 October 1952, is an Israeli politician affiliated with the Kadima party The following is a list of the Members of the 17th Knesset elected on 28 March 2006 and inaugurated 4 May 2006, and their replacements Israel elects its national legislature the Knesset, by Proportional representation on a national list basis Elections for the 16th Knesset were held in Israel on 28 January 2003. The Elections for the 17th Knesset were held in Israel on 28 March 2006. Israel's Political system is based on Proportional representation which allows for a Multi-party system with numerous parties Knesset Elections Law is crucial legal document governing the process of elections in the Israeli parliament or the Knesset. The Israeli Central Elections Committee (ועדת הבחירות המרכזית Va'adet HaBehirot HaMerkazit) is the highly controversial body charged under the Knesset The Israeli judicial system (or judicial branch in Israel, is an independent branch of the government which includes both secular and religious courts. The Supreme Court ( Hebrew: בית המשפט העליון Beit haMishpat ha'Elyon) is at the head of the court system in the State of Israel. The Attorney General of Israel (היועץ המשפטי לממשלה HaYoetz HaMishpati LaMemshala, lit Menachem Mazuz (מנחם מזוז born 1955 better known in Israel as "Meni Mazuz" is an Israeli Jurist, currently the Israeli Attorney General There are six main administrative districts of Israel, known in Hebrew as mehozot (מחוזות singular mahoz) and fifteen The local governments of Israel (רשות מקומית also known as local authorities are the set of bodies charged with providing services such as Urban planning, A City council (עירייה Iriya) is the official designation of a city within Israel's system of local government. Local councils (מועצה מקומית moetza mekomit) are one of the three types of Local government found in Israel, with the other two being Regional councils are one of the three types of Local government recognised by the found in Israel, with the other two being cities and local The State of Israel joined the United Nations on May 11, 1949. United Nations article Please do not remove -->Issues relating to the Relations between Israel and the European Union are generally positive Current Israeli Ambassadors Ambassadors to International Organizations Current ambassadors from Israel to international organizations Consuls General Current Information on politics by country is available for every Country, including both De jure and De facto independent Gahal (גח"ל an acronym for Gush Herut-Libralim (Hebrew גוש חרות-ליברלים lit Likud (ליכוד lit Consolidation) is the major centre-right political party in Israel. (מְנַחֵם בְּגִין Mieczysław Biegun Менахем Вольфович Бегин 16 August 1913 – 9 March 1992 was the sixth prime minister of the State of Israel Begin announced that he would retire from party leadership, but soon reversed his decision when the crowd emotionally pleaded with him to stay.

Olmert was first elected to the Knesset in 1973 at the age of 28 and was re-elected seven consecutive times. For Beit Knesset a Jewish Place of worship, see Synagogue. The Knesset (כנסת lit Between 1981 and 1989, he served as a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and served on the Finance, Education and Defense Budget Committees. He served as Minister without Portfolio, responsible for minority affairs between 1988 and 1990, and as Minister of Health from 1990 until 1992, when he was elected as Mayor of Jerusalem. A Minister without Portfolio is either a Government minister with no specific responsibilities or a minister that does not head a particular ministry. Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the

Mayor of Jerusalem

Bronze plate situated in the Wire Opera House in Curitiba, Brazil, commemorating Olmert's visit as Mayor of Jerusalem

Between 1993 and 2003, Olmert served two terms as Mayor of Jerusalem, the first member of Likud or its precursors to hold the position. The Ópera de Arame, in Portuguese, or the Wire Opera House, in English, is a theatre house located in the city of Curitiba, the capital Curitiba (pron kuɾi'tibɐ or kuɾi'tʃibɐ is the capital City of the Brazilian state of Paraná. Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the Likud (ליכוד lit Consolidation) is the major centre-right political party in Israel. During his term in office, he devoted himself to the initiation and advancement of major projects in the city, the development and improvement of the education system, and the development of road infrastructure. 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. For specific light rail systems many of which use the words "light rail" as part of their name see List of light-rail transit systems. The Israeli New Sheqel ( ( sign: ₪; code: ILS) (also spelled unofficially shekel; pl

While Mayor of Jerusalem, Olmert was an invited speaker at an international conflict resolution conference held in Derry in Northern Ireland. In his address, he spoke of how "Political leaders can help change the psychological climate which affects the quality of relationships among people. " His speech concluded with reflections on the importance of political process in overcoming differences: "How are fears born? They are born because of differences in tradition and history; they are born because of differences in emotional, political and national circumstances. Because of such differences, people fear they cannot live together. If we are to overcome such fear, a credible and healthy political process must be carefully and painfully developed. 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. "^[11]

Minister and Vice Prime Minister

Olmert was elected as a member of the sixteenth Knesset in January 2003. Elections for the 16th Knesset were held in Israel on 28 January 2003. He served as the head of the election campaign for Likud in the elections, and subsequently was the chief negotiator of the coalition agreement. Likud (ליכוד lit Consolidation) is the major centre-right political party in Israel. Following the elections he was appointed as Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor. Deputy leaders in Israel fall into three categories Acting Prime Minister Deputy Prime Minister and Vice Prime Minister From 2003-2004, he also served as Minister of Communications.

On 7 August 2005, Olmert was appointed as acting Finance Minister, replacing Benjamin Netanyahu, who had resigned in protest against the planned Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Finance Ministers of Israel, 1948-present 1948 - 1952 Eliezer Kaplan 1952 - 1963 Levi Eshkol (בִּנְיָמִין "ביבי" נְתַנְיָהוּ Binyamin "Bibi" Netanyahu, born October 21 1949, Tel Aviv) was Protest expresses relatively overt reaction to events or situations sometimes in favor though more often opposed Israel's unilateral disengagement plan ( Hebrew: תוכנית ההתנתקות Tokhnit HaHitnatkut or תוכנית ההינתקות Tokhnit HaHinatkut in The Gaza Strip (قطاع غزة, רצועת עזה Retzu'at 'Azza) is a coastal strip of land along the Mediterranean Sea, bordering Egypt on the south-west ^[12]

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, is a vocal supporter of the Gaza pullout. Background Suez Crisis aftermath The Suez Crisis of 1956 represented a military defeat but a political victory for Egypt The Camp David Accords were signed by Egyptian President Anwar El Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin on September 17, 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. (מְנַחֵם בְּגִין Mieczysław Biegun Менахем Вольфович Бегин 16 August 1913 – 9 March 1992 was the sixth prime minister of the State of Israel Now I am sorry he is not alive for me to be able to publicly recognize his wisdom and my mistake. He was right and I was wrong. Thank God we pulled out of the Sinai. "^[13]

During Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's second term, Olmert was widely viewed as Sharon's right hand man. He was a vocal supporter of government policy and was the most important ally of Sharon during the September 2005 unilateral disengagement plan. Israel's unilateral disengagement plan ( Hebrew: תוכנית ההתנתקות Tokhnit HaHitnatkut or תוכנית ההינתקות Tokhnit HaHinatkut in When Sharon announced his leaving the Likud and the formation of a new party, Kadima, Olmert was one of the first to join him. Kadima (קדימה lit Forward) is a political party in Israel.

Acting Prime Minister

On 4 January 2006, Olmert became Prime Minister of Israel due to his role as Acting Prime Minister and as a result of the serious stroke suffered by Ariel Sharon. Events 46 BC - Titus Labienus defeats Julius Caesar in the Battle of Ruspina. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Consultations between Government Secretary Israel Maimon and Attorney General Meni Mazouz had declared Sharon "temporarily incapable to carry out the duties of his office". Yisrael Maimon (ישראל מימון is a Lawyer and former Cabinet Secretary of Israel. Menachem Mazuz (מנחם מזוז born 1955 better known in Israel as "Meni Mazuz" is an Israeli Jurist, currently the Israeli Attorney General Olmert and the Cabinet announced that the elections would take place on 28 March as scheduled. The Elections for the 17th Knesset were held in Israel on 28 March 2006. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate.

According to Israeli law, an Acting Prime Minister can remain in office 100 days after the Prime Minister has become incapacitated. After 100 days, the president of Israel must either nominate a new Prime Minister (who must get a vote of confidence from the knesset), or call an early election. The President of the State of Israel (נשיא המדינה Nesi HaMedina, lit A Motion of Confidence is a motion of support proposed by a government in a Parliament or other assembly of elected representatives to give members of parliament (or For Beit Knesset a Jewish Place of worship, see Synagogue. The Knesset (כנסת lit In this case, the 100 days were over on 14 April 2006, and as elections were already previously scheduled for 28 March, this process was deemed unneeded. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. In 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, Labour. (שמעון פרס born Szymon Perski on August 2 1923, is the ninth President of the State of Israel. Likud (ליכוד lit Consolidation) is the major centre-right political party in Israel. Peres announced his support for Olmert, as did Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, who is regarded as the strongest political force other than Olmert within Kadima. Tzipora Malka "Tzipi" Livni (ציפורה מלכה "ציפי" לבני born 8 July 1958 in Tel Aviv, Israel) is Foreign Affairs Minister On 16 January 2006 Olmert was elected Acting Chairman of Kadima^[14] and number one candidate in the 28 March elections. Events 27 BC - The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. ^[15]

In his first major policy address since becoming Israel's acting prime minister, Olmert said at the Herzliya conference on 24 January 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. The Herzliya Conference, hosted by the Interdisciplinary Center at Herzliya, is Israel 's center stage for the articulation of national policy by its most Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled At the same time, he said, "We firmly stand by the historic right of the people of Israel to the entire Land of Israel. For other uses see Israel (disambiguation The Land of Israel ( Hebrew: אֶרֶץ יִשְׂרָאֵל Eretz Yisrael) is "^[16] Also, in a number of interviews to the media during the election campaign for the 17^th Knesset, Olmert introduced to the public his convergence plan. The Elections for the 17th Knesset were held in Israel on 28 March 2006. The realignment plan (תוכנית ההתכנסות (originally dubbed the "convergence plan" was formulated and introduced to the Israeli public by prime minister

Scandal hit Olmert's administration when on 1 February 2006 reports of excessive force and police brutality at the forced eviction at Amona, a West Bank Israeli settlement. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Police brutality is the world wide use of excessive force usually physical but potentially also in the form verbal attacks and psychological intimidation, by Amona (עמונה is a communal settlement and Israeli settlement in the central West Bank 's southern Samaria region on a hill overlooking The West Bank (الضفة الغربية, הגדה המערבית Hagadah Hamaaravit) also referred to in Israel as " Judea and Samaria Israeli settlements are communities inhabited by Israelis in territory that was captured as a result of Jordanian attacks during the 1967 Six-Day War. Right-wing and right-of-center voters reacted with strong disapproval, and this impacted the up-coming elections. ^[17]

Hence, a weaker-than-expected showing of 29 seats in the elections held on 28 March, Olmert's party, Kadima, was still the largest block in the Knesset and thus the first choice for assembling a coalition. Events 37 - Roman Emperor Caligula accepts the titles of the Principate, entitled to him by the Senate. For Beit Knesset a Jewish Place of worship, see Synagogue. The Knesset (כנסת lit In his victory speech, Olmert promised to make Israel a just, strong, peaceful and prosperous state, respecting the rights of the minorities, cherishing education, culture and science and above all—striving to achieve lasting and definite peace with the Palestinians. Olmert stated that as Israel is willing to compromise for peace, the Palestinians must be flexible in their positions as well. He stated that if the Palestinians, with Hamas now leading the Palestinian Authority, refuse to recognize the State of Israel, then Israel "will take her own fate in her hands" directly, implying unilateral action. Ḥamas (ar حركة حماس acronym ar حركة المقاومة The future of the next governing coalition largely depends on the goodwill of other parties to cooperate with the newly elected prime minister.

The President of Israel Moshe Katsav formally asked Olmert on 6 April to form a government, making him Prime Minister-Designate. Moshe Katsav (משה קצב born 5 December 1945) is a former President of Israel and member of the Knesset. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar defeats Caecilius Metellus Scipio and Marcus Porcius Cato in the Battle of Thapsus Olmert had an initial period of 28 days to form a governing coalition, with a possible two-week extension. A coalition government, or coalition cabinet, is a Cabinet of a parliamentary Government in which several parties cooperate ^[18] On 11 April 2006 the Israeli Cabinet deemed that Sharon was incapacitated. Events 491 - Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, with the name of Anastasius I. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The 100-day replacement deadline was extended due to the Jewish festival of Passover,^[19] and a provision was made that, should Sharon's condition improve between 11 April and 14 April, the declaration would not take effect. Passover ( Hebrew, Yiddish: פֶּסַח Pesach, Tiberian: pɛsaħ Israeli: Pesah, Pesakh, Yiddish Events 491 - Flavius Anastasius becomes Byzantine Emperor, with the name of Anastasius I. Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in 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 (he would not become full Prime Minister until he formed a government). Events 43 BC - Battle of Forum Gallorum: Mark Antony, besieging Julius Caesar 's assassin Decimus Junius Brutus in

Prime Minister

Ehud Olmert and George W. Bush

On 4 May 2006, Olmert presented his new government to the Knesset. George Walker Bush ( born July 6 1946 is the forty-third and current President of the United States. Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Olmert became Prime Minister and Minister for Welfare. The control over Welfare Ministry was expected to be given to United Torah Judaism if it would join the government. United Torah Judaism (יהדות התורה המאוחדת Yahadut HaTorah HaMeukhedet; UTJ) is an alliance of Degel HaTorah and Agudat Olmert would, however, remain Minister of Welfare as UTJ usually prefers to manage government ministries from a Deputy Minister position.

On 24 May 2006, Olmert was invited to address a joint session of the US Congress. Events 1218 - The Fifth Crusade leaves Acre for Egypt. 1276 - Magnus Ladulås is crowned Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[20] He stated that his government would proceed with Israel's unilateral disengagement plan if it could not come to agreement with the Palestinians. Israel's unilateral disengagement plan ( Hebrew: תוכנית ההתנתקות Tokhnit HaHitnatkut or תוכנית ההינתקות Tokhnit HaHinatkut in Olmert was the third Israeli Prime Minister to have been invited to speak at a joint session of Congress. On June 4, 2006, Olmert announced he will meet Mahmoud Abbas to resume talks on the Road map for peace. Events 781 BC - The first historic Solar eclipse is recorded in China. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Mahmoud Abbas (محمود عباس (born March 26, 1935) also known by the kunya Abu Mazen (ابو مازن was elected President The "road map" for peace is a Plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict proposed by a " quartet " of international entities the

Under Olmert, the policy of ambiguity on the possession by Israel of nuclear weapons remains intact. One result of this is the continued detention in Israel of Mordechai Vanunu, who spent eighteen years in prison in Israel after breaking confidentiality agreements and divulging to a news organization in Britain details about Israel's suspected nuclear projects. Mordechai Vanunu (מרדכי ואנונו born in Marrakech, Morocco on October 13 1954 is an Israeli former nuclear

Since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon conflict, Olmert has become extremely unpopular in Israel and recent opinion polls have pointed to a victory for Likud leader Benjamin Netanyahu if an election were to be held at this point. Background See also Israel-Lebanon conflict The Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO had engaged in cross-border attacks from Southern Lebanon Additionally, on 15 September 2006, former chief of staff Moshe Ya'alon held that Olmert should resign his office. Events 668 - Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II is assassinated in his bath at Syracuse Italy. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. According to the BBC, Olmert's approval rating has dropped from 22 percent in early 2006 to 14 percent. As of May 2007, Olmert's approval rating fell to 3 percent. ^[21] Olmert has also been the recent recipient of a Google Bomb for the words כישלון חרוץ, which means "miserable failure" in Hebrew. ^[22]

On 26 September 2006 the BBC reported that Prime Minister Ehud Olmert had held a meeting with a senior member of the Saudi royal family which rules Saudi Arabia. Events 46 BC - Julius Caesar dedicates a Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, KSA ( المملكة العربية السعودية, al-Mamlaka al-ʻArabiyya as-Suʻūdiyya) or Suudi These talks reportedly included the reported Saudi proposal to lead Arab states in recognition of Israel in exchange for Israel removing its forces from neighboring occupied territories. Ehud claimed in an interview with Yediot Aharonot's newspaper that the meeting had US backing. ^[23]

Ehud Olmert meets with Condoleezza Rice and Mahmoud Abbas

On 8 December, Olmert met Russian President Vladimir Putin about Iran's nuclear program and told Putin that he hoped the United Nations Security Council would vote to impose sanctions if Iran continued to flout the international community's demands that it stop its nuclear development. Condoleezza Rice (born November 14 1954 is the 66th United States Mahmoud Abbas (محمود عباس (born March 26, 1935) also known by the kunya Abu Mazen (ابو مازن was elected President Events 1609 - Biblioteca Ambrosiana opens its reading room the second public library of Europe. Russia (Россия Rossiya) or the Russian Federation ( Rossiyskaya Federatsiya) is a transcontinental Country extending Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin (; born 7 October 1952 in Leningrad, USSR; now Saint Petersburg, Russia was the second President of Russia For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics.

Olmert told on 9 December 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 the country. Events 536 - Byzantine General Belisarius enters Rome while the Ostrogothic garrison peacefully leaves the city For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Olmert called Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's repeated threats to destroy Israel "absolutely criminal", and said that he expected "more dramatic steps to be taken. Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (محمود احمدی‌نژاد; born October 28, 1956) is the sixth and current President of the Islamic Republic of Iran " The interview came ahead of his planned trip to Germany, where on 11 December he met and held a joint press conference with Chancellor Angela Merkel. Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Events 359 - Honoratus, the first known Prefect of the City of Constantinople, takes office (ˈaŋɡela doʁoˈteːa ˈmɛɐ̯kəl (born Angela Dorothea Kasner, 17 July 1954 in Hamburg, West Germany) is the Chancellor of Germany. He stated that he was prepared to concede "large territories" in the West Bank for a "true peace. The West Bank (الضفة الغربية, הגדה המערבית Hagadah Hamaaravit) also referred to in Israel as " Judea and Samaria " Such a withdrawal would allow the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank, he added. Proposals for a Palestinian state (دولة فلسطين refer to the proposed establishment of an independent state for the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip, which is currently ^[24]

In a 11 December interview with German TV network Sat.1, he appeared to include Israel in a list of nuclear powers, a statement which his office has characterised as an unintentional mistake in translation. Events 359 - Honoratus, the first known Prefect of the City of Constantinople, takes office Sat1 is a privately owned German television broadcasting station He has nonetheless come 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. ^[25][26]

On 21 January 2007, Olmert promised to lessen conflict and work with Defense Minister Amir Peretz in determining who will succeed former IDF Chief of General Staff Lt. Events 1189 - Philip II of France and Richard I of England begin to assemble troops to wage the Third Crusade. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. -Gen. Dan Halutz. ^[27]

On 2 May 2007, the Winograd Commission accused Olmert of failing to properly manage the Second Lebanese War,^[28] which prompted a mass rally of over 100,000 people calling for his resignation. Events 1194 - King Richard I of England gives Portsmouth its first Royal Charter. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. For other Winograd Commissions see Eliyahu Winograd. The Winograd Commission (ועדת וינוגרד the commission's official name is הוועדה ^[29] At the moment he still has an acting coalition, but his post is perceived to be at risk.

On 28 July 2007 Olmert requested of his cabinet and his cabinet agreed that Holocaust survivors living in Israel who are older than 70 will receive a special supplement to their pensions and welfare allowances totaling some $28 million in 2008. Events 1540 - Thomas Cromwell is executed at the order of Henry VIII of England on charges of Treason. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Holocaust (from the Greek el ''ὁλόκαυστον'' (el-Latn holókauston holos, "completely" and kaustos, "burnt" also known as

In October 2007, Olmert announced he has prostate cancer. His doctors declare it is a very minor one, with no real risk, and no effect on his work. ^[30]

On 4 November 2007, he declared Israel's intention to negotiate with the Palestinians about all issues, stating, "Annapolis will be the jumping-off point for continued serious and in-depth negotiations, which will not avoid any issue or ignore any division that has clouded our relations with the Palestinian people for many years. Events 1333 - Flood of the Arno River, causing massive damage in Florence as recorded by the Florentine chronicler Giovanni Villani Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Palestinian people or Palestinians ( الشعب الفلسطيني, ash-sha`b al-filasTīni; الفلسطينيون, al-filasTīnīyyūn For the revolutionary legislature of the Colony of Maryland see Annapolis Convention (1774-1776. "^[31]

On 29 November 2007, he warned of the end of Israel in case a two-state solution is not eventually found for the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. Events 1777 - San Jose California, is founded as el Pueblo de San José de Guadalupe Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. "If the day comes when the two-state solution collapses, and we face a South African-style struggle for equal voting rights (also for the Palestinians in the territories), then, as soon as that happens, the State of Israel is finished," Olmert said on the last day of the Annapolis Conference. For the revolutionary legislature of the Colony of Maryland see Annapolis Convention (1774-1776. "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. "^[32]

Controversies

In the 1970s, Olmert was rumored to be a party to a complex scheme involving well-known Jerusalem businessmen, organized crime, corrupt legislators, and retired General Rechavam Ze'evi. (רחבעם "גנדי" זאבי born 20 June 1926, died 17 October 2001) was an Israeli general Politician This affair was documented in investigative journalist Aryeh Avneri's Ha'tvusa in 1992. During the run-up to the Ze'evi libel suit, Olmert allegedly took funds from the Likud treasury for his defense fund, although his lawyers were from his own law firm. All accusations against Olmert were eventually settled out of court. For other uses of settlement including legal uses see Settlement.

Israeli businessman David Appel has been suspected of bribing both Sharon and Olmert, while the latter was the Mayor of Jerusalem, in what is known as the Greek island affair. David Appel ( דוד אפל, born 7 August, 1950) is an Israeli businessman General contractor, and Likud party activist The Greek island affair was an Israeli political scandal involving David Appel, Ariel Sharon, at the time a minister in the Likud party and However, in June 2004 Israel's Attorney General decided to close the case without criminal proceedings, because of lack of evidence.

On 7 March 2006, it was disclosed that an inquiry was being carried out on the 1999 sale and lease-back of Olmert's Jerusalem house, which allegedly was done on financial terms very favorable to Olmert, in what would amount to be an illegal campaign contribution and/or bribe. Events 161 - Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius dies and is succeeded by co-Emperors Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ^[33] A criminal investigation regarding this matter was formally launched on 24 September 2007. Events 622 - Prophet Muhammad completes his hegira from Mecca to Medina. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. ^[34]

On 16 January 2007, a criminal investigation was initiated against Olmert. Events 27 BC - The title Augustus is bestowed upon Gaius Julius Caesar Octavian by the Roman Senate. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The investigation focused on suspicions that during his tenure as finance minister, Olmert tried to steer the tender for the sale of Bank Leumi in order to help Slovak-born Australian real estate baron Frank Lowy, a close personal associate. Slovakia (long form Slovak Republic; Slovak:, long form, is a Landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of over five million For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. Frank Lowy AC (born 22 October, 1930 in Fiľakovo (Hungarian Fülek) Slovakia) is an Australian businessman ^[35] Israeli Police who investigated the case eventually concluded that the evidence that was collected was insufficient for indictment and no recommendations to press charges were made. ^[36]

After the criticism of Olmert's decision making by the Winograd Commission in its Preliminary report, many expected him to leave office, including his foreign minister Tzippi Livni. For other Winograd Commissions see Eliyahu Winograd. The Winograd Commission (ועדת וינוגרד the commission's official name is הוועדה For other Winograd Commissions see Eliyahu Winograd. The Winograd Commission (ועדת וינוגרד the commission's official name is הוועדה Tzipora Malka "Tzipi" Livni (ציפורה מלכה "ציפי" לבני born 8 July 1958 in Tel Aviv, Israel) is Foreign Affairs Minister The final report of the commission turned out to be more positive about Olmert than expected, which derailed the protests demanding his resignation.

In April 2007 it was further alleged that, during his office as Minister of Trade, Industry and Labor, Olmert may have been guilty of criminal behavior by taking an active part in an investment center. ^[37] During a parliamentary inquest in July 2007, Olmert flatly denied these accusations. ^[38]

In May 2008, it became public that Olmert was the subject of another police investigation. The investigation concerns bribery allegations. Bribery, a form of pecuniary corruption is an act usually implying money or gift given that alters the behaviour of the recipient in ways not consistent with the duties of that person ^{[39] [40]} Olmert said that he took campaign contributions from the 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, but resisted calls to resign, and stated: "I never took bribes, I never took a penny for myself. Morris (Moshe Talansky (מוריס (משה טלנסקי a Long Island Businessman from the USA, co-founded the New Jerusalem Fund with I was elected by you, citizens of Israel, to be the prime minister and I don't intend to shirk this responsibility. If Attorney General Meni Mazuz decides to file an indictment, I will resign from my position, even though the law does not oblige me to do so. "^{[41] [42]} On May 23, National Fraud Squad investigators interrogated Olmert for an hour in his Jerusalem residence for a second time about corruption allegations. Events 1430 - Siege of Compiègne: Joan of Arc is captured by the Burgundians while leading an army to relieve Compiègne Jerusalem (יְרוּשָׁלַיִם, he-Latn Yerushaláyim; Arabic: ar القُدس, ar-Latn al-Quds) is the It was the 5th probe since he became prime minister and no charges had been yet filed. ^[43][44] On May 27, Morris Talansky testified in front of court that over the last 15 years he gave Olmert more than $150000 in cash in envelopes. Morris (Moshe Talansky (מוריס (משה טלנסקי a Long Island Businessman from the USA, co-founded the New Jerusalem Fund with

References

External links

• Ehud Olmert Knesset website (English)
• Profile: Ehud Olmert
• Ehud Olmert
• Anti-Olmert website (Hebrew)
• PBS Frontline/World's piece on Ehud Olmert
• Ehud Olmert Profile by Ynetnews
• 63% of Israelis want Olmert to quit
• Profile: Israel's Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert by Ynetnews
• 1967: Israel cannot make peace alone, op-ed by Ehud Olmert, The Guardian June 6, 2007