Ehud Olmert news stories on Newser

Israel's Ehud Olmert Indicted on Bribery Charges

Kevin Spak — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 07:10:00 CST

Things got worse for Ehud Olmert today, as the former Israeli prime minister was indicted on charges related to bribes he allegedly took back when he was mayor of Jerusalem. Olmert is already on trial for three unrelated counts, but the new charges are the most serious: He’s accused of...

Ehud Olmert: Israel Needs Peace Now

Kevin Spak — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:41:01 CDT

Israel and Palestine seem on a collision course for a diplomatic confrontation at the UN, but “things could and should have been different,” writes former PM Ehud Olmert in an op-ed for the New York Times . “The parameters of a peace deal are well known,” he says, outlining the two-state...

Olmert Charged With Corruption

Drew Nelles — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:55:50 CDT

Israel’s attorney general has officially indicted former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on corruption charges, the BBC reports. The 61-page charge, filed in court today, accuses Olmert of "fraud, breach of trust, registering false corporate documents, and concealing fraudulent earnings.” Olmert denies all the charges, which relate to three different cases...

Israeli Foreign Minister Faces Raft of Corruption Charges

Jason Farago — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:34:38 CDT

Israeli police have recommended the indictment of the country's foreign minister for bribery, money laundering, and other corruption charges, Haaretz reports. Avigdor Lieberman, who leads the ultranationalist Yisrael Beiteinu party and was kingmaker in February's closely-run election, has been under investigation for years and is accused of funneling cash to...

Olmert: Stop Obsessing Over Settlements

Jason Farago — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:27:11 CDT

It's fine for Barack Obama to make overtures to the Arab world, but Ehud Olmert, reminding him in a Washington Post op-ed that Israel is "the only real Middle Eastern democracy," complains that he has focused too much of his attentions on Israel's settlements in the West Bank. Olmert says...

Israel Vows 'Strong' Reply to Hamas Rockets

Drew Nelles — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 17:54:18 CST

Ongoing rocket attacks on southern Israel will elicit "a serious, painful, strong and uncompromising" response, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said today. At least eight rockets from the Gaza Strip struck the western Negev desert Friday and Saturday, with no casualties or injuries, the Jerusalem Post reports. Six more Qassam...

Pope to Visit Israel in May

Drew Nelles — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 16:00:45 CST

Pope Benedict XVI will visit Israel this May amid diplomatic tensions between the Vatican and the Jewish state, the New York Times reports. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert confirmed the visit today after the pontiff hinted at a trip last week. “We very much hope that the visit will be held...

Long-Range Rocket Strikes Israel

Mary Papenfuss — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 04:36:14 CST

A long-range rocket fired today from Gaza struck the Israeli city of Ashkelon in the first such attack since the ceasefire began last month, reports CNN. No injuries were reported, but Israel vowed to respond with "great force." Resumed rocket fire from Gaza presents a particular problem for the centrist-led...

Israel Pounds Gaza Targets

Ambreen Ali — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 03:40:36 CST

Israeli aircraft pounded Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip late last night after militants there unleashed 10 rounds of rocket and mortar fire on Israel. It's the region's heaviest exchange since a ceasefire began two weeks ago, the Los Angeles Times reports. Six explosions rocked Rafah, a border town near...