“Olmert Steps Down As Premier of Israel”
Article: “Olmert Steps Down As Premier of Israel”
Newspaper: Washington Post
URL: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wpdyn/content/article/2008/09/21/AR200809210 0200.html?hpid=topnews
Summary:
On September 21, 2008, Ehud Olmert, the Prime Minister of Israel, left his post. Almost three years ago, Olmert took over for Ariel Sharon after he suffered a stroke. Olmert had been the mayor of Jerusalem before becoming the Prime Minister.
Throughout his Prime Ministry, Olmert has been accused of corruptions. This spring new charges of corruption have arisen involving New York businessman Morris Talansky. The police have recommended charges of bribery, breach of public trust, money laundering, and fraudulent receipt of goods. Until a new government is created, Olmert is the caretaker Prime Minister.
Olmert has passed down the Prime Minister position to Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni. Over the summer Olmert said he would resign once his party (Kadima) chose a leader; this leader is Livni. Recently, she has been trying to create a coalition that will allow her to take the Prime Ministry seat without being elected. She has met with many people from rival parties in order to gain a majority in parliament (Knesset). If she does not accomplish this in the next six weeks, Israel will hold general elections, which Netanyahu, the leader of the Likud opposition party, would most likely win. While Livni supports the peace talks, Netanyahu opposes them. Livni’s coalition will most likely be successful only if she can win the support of the Shas, a very Orthodox party who have already opposed Livni’s leadership. The Labor Party might also pose a problem for the coalition. Many are pushing for another election.
Analysis
This issue clearly has a large impact on Israel and the Middle East as a whole. At this point, Israel is in between Prime Ministers, and the named successor to Olmert needs to form a coalition. This already puts Israel in a precarious situation because the country, at this point, has no clear leader. Just as everyone did not love Olmert, Livni does not have the support of everyone. The Shas are very against her, the Kadima party saying at one point that they “would bolt if she won the primary.” Also, the center-left Labor Party wants new elections. This, once again, makes the country more liable for conflict. It also makes it hard for Livni to make the coalition. The fact that if there were new elections Netanyahu, not Livni, would probably win makes Livni feel the pressure to create the coalition. Also, Israel will have to wait to see if Livni will handle the elections calmly. Olmert’s accusations of corruptions also show Israel that it is time for a new leader.
Similarly, the implications for the world are also great. At this point, the world is watching Israel to see how the nation will respond to the corruption accusations and the stepping down of Olmert. The United States will be especially interested as it has backed Israel so firmly in the past years. Also, many nations will be watching the elections, if they occur, because there will most likely be conflict between the two rival parties. Perhaps if anything happens the United States or another nation will step in. Also, New York will have to figure out how to handle Norris Talansky since he gave Olmert over $150 000. The most looming issues, however, are the peace talks. If Livni gets elected, she is will mostly likely continue the peace talks. However, Netanyahu has always been critical of the talks. Maybe the United States will support Livni over Netanyahu in the elections. If Netanyahu is elected, perhaps the United States will urge him to continue the peace talks. The next weeks and months will be watched closely by political fans around the world.
Filed under: Hannah, Week of September 22-26
