Israel's Olmert gets support as no quick end seen to probe

By Joel Greenberg

Chicago Tribune

May 11, 2008

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, under police investigation for allegedly receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars from an American Jewish businessman, received public support from cabinet colleagues from his Kadima party on Sunday amid reports that the probe could last months.

The developments suggested that Olmert, who has denied taking bribes and declared that he would resign if Attorney General Menachem Mazuz decided to indict him, could remain in office for some time with no certainty that the investigation will result in formal charges.

The probe threatens to overshadow a visit here this week by President Bush and hamper peace negotiations with the Palestinians, although Olmert has vowed to carry on as usual, despite the turmoil caused by the inquiry.

Officials involved in the investigation were cited Sunday in Israeli newspapers as saying that it was still in its early stages, and that it could take several months to complete the probe and decide whether or not to file an indictment. It remains unclear what charges Olmert might face.

Olmert is suspected of receiving hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash from Morris Talansky, a Long Island businessman, over more than a decade when he was mayor of Jerusalem and the Minister of Trade and Industry. In a statement on Thursday, Olmert said the funds were campaign contributions raised by Talansky, and that he had not pocketed a penny.

A Jerusalem court on Friday granted a request by state attorneys to take early testimony from Talansky, who is currently in Israel, in an open hearing--a move that is expected to be challenged by Olmert's lawyers.

Although Olmert is formally suspected of illegal receipt of funds, investigators are examining whether the cash transfers amounted to bribes.

Some ministers from Olmert's Kadima party rallied to his side on Sunday in radio interviews.

'Like any citizen, he is innocent until proven otherwise,' said Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz.

Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit said that Olmert 'has the right to defend himself and clear his name, and I wish him success.'

Sheetrit noted that Olmert had previously survived serious challenges, including a scathing official report about his performance in Israel's war against Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon two years ago.

'The prime minister has been under pressures in the past and withstood them,' Sheetrit said. 'I see the prime minister functioning. ... He can continue functioning, and we are there to help him. He is not alone.'

Finance Minister Ronnie Bar-On, a close confidant of Olmert, said that he appeared 'strong and stable' and determined to refute any allegations of wrongdoing. Yet Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Olmert's deputy in Kadima and his possible successor, has pointedly avoided expressions of support for the embattled prime minister, saying that the investigation should be allowed to run its course.

And some commentators have questioned whether Olmert, laboring under the strain of the investigation, can continue to be an effective leader and make the decisions necessary for war and peace.

'Olmert must understand that he has lost his ability to continue leading the country,' wrote Uzi Benziman, a columnist in the Haaretz newspaper. 'Few believe him, few believe in him, few give his words weight, few accept his claim that he can concentrate, in his situation, on running the affairs of state. His position has collapsed, even if he still bears the title of prime minister.'

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