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His popularity already waning over his mishandling of the War in Lebanon and inability to stop rocket attacks coming from Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert now faces investigation.

The Jerusalem Post reports:

The State Attorney's Office has decided to open a full-fledged criminal investigation against Prime Minister Ehud Olmert regarding his alleged intervention in the government tender for the sale of the controlling interest in Bank Leumi, Channel 10 reported Tuesday evening....

Another case involves allegations that Olmert made political appointments in the Small Businesses Authority when he served as Minister of Industry and Commerce under prime minister Ariel Sharon. According to Channel 10, Shendar has already decided to investigate Olmert in the Bank Leumi affair. He will reportedly announce the decision after the prime minister returns from his state visit to China.

 

The full extent of the investigation has not yet been determined, however. While police will likely concentrate on the alleged Bank Leumi improprieties, it is possible that the other scandals to which Olmert's name has been linked will also be investigated.

Meanwhile, Ynet adds:

A senior justice official said Wednesday that "if a criminal investigation is launched against (Prime Minister Ehud) Olmert, on suspicion of wrongdoing, he should to suspend himself from his post."

This deserves close attention. Among other issues, should the government of Olmert fall and be replaced by a more hawkish one, it will have huge implications on Israel's response to Iran's nuclear program.

topics:
Business, Iran, Israel