Ehud Olmert

Guide Note

Ehud Olmert is the current Prime Minister of Israel. Though he did not officially take office until April 14, 2006, he assumed the powers of the office on January 4, 2006, after Ariel Sharon suffered a Stroke.

A strong proponent of a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, Olmert served as an advocated for this strategy at the historic Annapolis Summit. During the summit, he indicated that he would be willing to give portions of eastern Israel to a Palestinian state. It was the first time the two state solution had been accepted as a legitimate option by all parties involved in peace negotiations.

This position generated considerable criticism in Israel, with leaders of the Shas party threatening to leave Olmert's coalition if he continued with the Division of Jerusalem.

Fast Facts

Born: September 30, 1945
Birth Place: Binyamina, Israel
12th Prime Minister of Israel
Assumed responsibilities on January 4, 2006
Took powers of the office after Ariel Sharon suffered a stroke
Officially took office on April 14, 2006
Degree in psychology and philosophy from Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Supports a two state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Also try: Morris Talansky | Olmert Corruption Charges

The Mahalo Top 7

Ynet News: Talansky: Olmert might try to hurt me (May 9, 2008)
Herald Sun: Israeli PM admits accepting US cash (May 9, 2008)
Reuters: Israeli PM Voices Regret over Death of Gaza Family (April 29, 2008)
Wikipedia: Ehud Olmert
Official Site: Knesset Member, Ehud Olmert
Jewish Virtual Library: Ehud Olmert
Charlie Rose: A Conversation About Peace in the Middle East with Ehud Olmert (Time: 27:39)

Ehud Olmert Recent News

New York Times: Ehud Olmert News
Google News: Ehud Olmert
Wall Street Journal: Olmert Makes Bold Pledge To Survive Latest Scandal (May 9, 2008)
LA Times: Israeli prime minister denies taking bribes (May 9, 2008)
CNN: Rivals: Israeli PM must quit over 'bribes' (May 9, 2008)
VOA News: Israeli PM Voices Regret About Killing of Palestinian Family (April 29, 2008)
United Press International: Olmert Remorseful but Resilient on Gaza (April 29, 2008)
Xinhua News: Olmert Regrets Gaza Civilian Deaths, Blames Hamas (April 29, 2008)
CBC.ca: Olmert resists pressure to invade Gaza after rocket attack (February 10, 2008)
The New York Times: "Bush Begins Peace Effort Bonded With Olmert" (January 10, 2008)
MSNBC: Olmert says he has prostate cancer (October 29, 2007)
BBC News: Olmert pledges quest for peace (October 8, 2007)
BBC News: Israeli PM faces corruption probe (Sept 24, 2007)

Ehud Olmert Background and Profiles

BBC News: Profile: Ehud Olmert
TIME: Brief Profile
ABC News: Who is Ehud Olmert? (January 10, 2007)
Council on Foreign Relations: The Second Lebanon War (September 4, 2006)
Guardian Unlimited: Daunting task for a cold but pragmatic politician (March 30, 2006)
TIME: Ehud Olmert's Moment (March 29, 2007)
MSNBC: Olmert says he has prostate cancer (October 29, 2007)
Mahalo's guide to the Second Lebanon War

Ehud Olmert Corruption Charges

Mahalo's guide to Morris Talansky
Mahalo's guide to Olmert Corruption Charges
New York Times: Israel Readying for a Post-Olmert Era (May 10, 2008)
Ynet News: Talansky: Olmert might try to hurt me (May 9, 2008)
Herald Sun: Israeli PM admits accepting US cash (May 9, 2008)

Ehud Olmert Photos and Videos

Google Image Search: Ehud Olmert
Flickr: Ehud Olmert Photos
YouTube and Google Video Search: Ehud Olmert
Google Video: Israeli PM: Nations Must Work Together On Iran (Time 1:16)

Ehud Olmert Blogs and Message Boards

Google Blog Search: Ehud Olmert
Little Green Footballs: Israel Grants Huge Windfall to Terrorists (June 24, 2007)
Pajamas Media: Off With Olmert's Head! (May 1, 2007)
Shark Blog: Ehud Olmert
Daily Kos: Tag: Ehud Olmert
Captain's Quarters: Ehoudini Olmert
TIME Middle East Blog: Arabs to Olmert: Deal with the Palestinians (March 19, 2007)

Ehud Olmert Criticism and Controversy

Haaretz: Above All, Olmert Must Want Peace (April 29, 2008)
Ynetnews: War report scathing for Olmert, Peretz (April 29, 2007)
Haaretz: The main findings of the Winograd partial report on the Second Lebanon War (January 5, 2007)
Haaretz: PM to face criminal investigation over Bank Leumi sale affair (January 17, 2007)

Ehud Olmert Timeline

Prime Minister's Office: Curriculum Vitae
September 30, 1945: Born in Binyamina, Palestine
1973: First elected to the Knesset, the Israeli Parliament
1993-2003: Serves as Mayor of Jerusalem
August 7, 2005: Replaces Benjamin Netanyahu, who resigned in protest, as Finance Minister
January 4, 2006: Replaces an ill Ariel Sharon as Prime Minister