Ehud Olmert was one of Israel’s shortest-serving prime ministers, in office just over three years — and is the only one (so far) who has been convicted of a crime, serving 16 months in prison for bribery and obstruction of justice. Now 75, Olmert remains fully engaged in his country’s rough-and-tumble politics, as one of…
Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announced Thursday that he planned to file charges of bribery, fraud and breach of trust against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The charges cannot officially go forward until a hearing where Netanyahu can contest the accusations, which might not happen until long after the April 9 elections. Netanyahu has denied the…
(JTA) — Police are recommending charges of bribery and breach of trust against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He’s saying the case police have made is “full of holes, like Swiss cheese.” Police allege Netanyahu received expensive gifts from supporters in return for advancing their interests, including expensive cigars and champagne from the Israeli-born Hollywood…
Shimon Peres’s story offers a compelling argument for the indispensable role of leadership, a quality notably absent from the world stage today. Indeed, the first anniversary of the Israeli statesman’s death on September 28 can serve as an important lesson on the potential of those with access to power to shape events, even amid serious…
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert left prison on early release and then submitted a request to have his parole restrictions completely removed. Olmert left prison early Sunday morning after serving 16 months of a 27-month sentence. The prison parole board on Thursday granted him early release for good behavior. Later Sunday…
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, currently serving a 27-month prison sentence for corruption, was rushed to the hospital with a suspected heart attack. Olmert experienced chest pains and felt ill. After being seen by a prison doctor he was transferred to Tel Hashomer Hospital near Tel Aviv. Olmert appeared before the…
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been punished by the Israel Prison Service after classified documents were found in his possession in jail. Olmert has lost telephone privileges as well as a planned furlough, Israeli media reported over the weekend. Olmert, the first Israeli prime minister to serve time in prison…
JERUSALEM (JTA) — Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin rejected a pardon request from former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is currently serving a 27-month prison sentence for corruption. Rivlin officially rejected the request on Monday. The request was filed in late January. Olmert entered prison, continuing to proclaim his innocence, in February 2016. “The pardoning…
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