State Comptroller and Ombudsman Micha Lindenstrauss told the Knesset House Committee several minutes ago that the economic importance of the factory which received a grant from Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is irrelevant concerning charges against him.

"We are talking here about a case of conflict of interest in which a Cabinet minister helped promote the business interests of a friend," former Justice Lindenstrauss stated. He has charged that the Prime Minister, when he was serving as a Cabinet minister several years ago, violated conflict of interest regulations set by the office of the Attorney-General.

Prime Minister Olmert has denied the charges and previously has accused Lindenstrauss of conducting a personal crusade against him.