Members of Knesset from across the political spectrum Wednesday called upon former Kadima head Ehud Olmert to step down from his temporary role as Acting Prime Minister due to his impending criminal trial. Demands for Olmert's suspension were heard from MKs in HaTikva, Meretz, Likud, Labor and Olmert's own Kadima party.
The calls were heard after Attorney General Menachem Mazuz said he plans to put Olmert on trial for alleged double-billing in what is known as the Rishon Tours affair.
'A criminal'
"The public knows that a criminal is leading Kadima's government,” said HaTikva head MK Aryeh Eldad, who expressed support for Mazuz's decision to take Olmert to trial. Olmert continues to give away land and make promises to the Palestinian Authority despite his powerlessness and lack of public support, Eldad said, adding, “His only mandate is over the attorneys who will represent him during the trial.”
Eldad criticized police as well, saying, “[The public] is disappointed by the law enforcement agencies, which drag their feet slowly.”
External factors
Like Eldad, MK Michael Eitan of Likud expressed concerns over Olmert's concessions, saying a leader facing trial should not be allowed to conduct negotiations with far-reaching consequences. His call was echoed by MK Zevulun Orlev of HaBayit HaYehudi (The Jewish Home), who said, “In the two months remaining until elections, Olmert is likely to make crucial decisions based on external factors, and therefore he must step down at once.”
Olmert also faced criticism from the political Left. "This is a tragic day for the state of Israel, a low point the likes of which we've never seen,” said MK Ophir Pines-Paz of Labor. Pines-Paz called on Olmert to suspend himself immediately.
Meretz, too
MK Zahava Gal-On of Meretz called on Olmert to suspend himself as well. “Every day that he stays in power is superfluous, since he has no moral authority or public support to promote initiatives,” she said.
Olmert's detractors included MK Marina Solodkin of Kadima, who said, “He should have resigned as prime minister a while back, but now Mazuz's announcement that he plans to file an indictment has created an insufferable situation where the entire system of government is paralyzed.” Olmert must step down and allow Kadima head Tzipi Livni to make whatever decisions are necessary prior to the national elections, she said.