Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will resign in September amid graft charges and sinking approval ratings. Olmert defiantly stated that “I was forced to defend myself against relentless attacks from self-appointed fighters for justice who sought to depose me from my position where the ends sanctified all the means”. Olmert has consistently and vehemently denied any involvement in the scandal.
Although Olmert's term was not scheduled to expire until 2010, he vowed not to run in his party's September 17 election and resign soon afterward “in order to allow the chairman to be elected and form a new government quickly and efficiently” without answering questions from reporters.
Olmert's popularity plunged below 20% at one stage following a bloody war with Lebanese terror group Hezbollah that was inconclusive, followed by major corruption allegations.
Israeli political analyst Dan Margalit, a friend of Olmert who fell out of favor described Olmert's resignation “a sad end to a miserable career”.
According to White House Gordon Johndroe, President Bush wished Olmert well and pledged to continue working with him until he leaves office. According to Johndroe, Bush told Olmert that he appreciated his friendship, leadership and work for peace.
According to the State Department, Olmert's resignation would not interfere with US efforts to negotiate a kind of peace deal with Israelis and Palestinians. State Department Sean McCormack told reporters that “The Israelis will work out their own politics. We're going to continue working on the basis on which we've worked. We're going to look forward to working with all responsible Israeli leaders in the government, whether it's this government or some future government”. The big question now, now, becomes: what will the impact be on the Middle East peace process?
