News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) A leading journalist for the Hebrew daily Yediot Aharonot told Voice of Israel government radio Wednesday that evidence against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert in a conflict of interest case is so clear that Attorney General Menachem Mazuz will indict him. Moti Gilat said it is obvious the Prime Minister must be indicted.

State Comptroller and Ombudsman Micha Lindenstrauss has presented evidence that Olmert met with his former law partner Uri Messer, who represented a business friend. Prime Minister Olmert, when he was Minister of Industry, Trade and Labor in the Sharon government, overrode other government officials and granted approval for millions of dollars in grants for building a factory in Dimona.

Prime Minister Olmert told the Knesset House Committee several minutes ago that he is not guilty of any conflict of interest. Lindenstrauss, a former justice, also is attending the meeting and is speaking at this moment.