Prime Minister Ehud Olmert used his government office to promote his wife’s career, according to Haaretz. The Olmerts traveled to New York City in 2005 for an exhibition by Aliza Olmert. Invitations were printed on ministry stationary and were sent by Rachael Raz, one of Olmert’s advisors from the Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Labor. The Olmerts also got a $2,000 per night discount on their hotel room.
Olmert’s office responded to the Haaretz allegations by saying that Raz was a personal advisor, and therefore could help Olmert with non-ministry matters. However, Raz was not connected to the invitations, they said. PMO sources said only a handful of the invitations were printed on government stationary. The Olmerts received a discount on their stay in New York because Olmert met with public figures during his stay, they said.
Olmert’s office responded to the Haaretz allegations by saying that Raz was a personal advisor, and therefore could help Olmert with non-ministry matters. However, Raz was not connected to the invitations, they said. PMO sources said only a handful of the invitations were printed on government stationary. The Olmerts received a discount on their stay in New York because Olmert met with public figures during his stay, they said.