News Brief

(IsraelNN.com) Bank of Israel Governor Prof. Stanley Fischer has backed the Finance Ministry in its decision not to renew the term of office of Accountant-General Yaron Zelicha, who blew the whistle on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's involvement in the sale of the government's shares of Bank Leumi when he was Finance Minister.

Fischer said that the government has no obligation to keep Zelicha in his position but limited his remarks to the Bank Leumi affair by stating, "I saw professional differences of opinions" on the issue. The Prime Minister allegedly used his influence to favor conditions for two business friends who were bidding for the shares. They eventually dropped out of the bidding.

Zelicha met Monday with State Comptroller and Ombudsman Micha Lindenstrauss, who has not decided whether to prevent the government decision.