April 25, 2013

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on April 25, 2013

Oren says ‘Gatekeepers’ makes his job harder

Published on March 18, 2013

Israel's U.S. ambassador, Michael Oren, said the Oscar-nominated documentary "The Gatekeepers" complicates his mission.

Netanyahu: No Palestinian state until negotiations, despite U.N. vote

Published on November 29, 2012

The Palestinians will not achieve a state without first recognizing Israel as a Jewish State and sitting down to direct negotiations, Benjamin Netanyahu said.

July 13, 2012

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on July 13, 2012

Olmert says he has no plans to re-enter politics

Published on July 12, 2012

Former Israeli Prime Minister Olmert, following his acquittal on the most serious corruption charges, said he does not intend to return to politics.

Olmert exonerated on corruption charges that prompted his resignation

Published on July 10, 2012

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was exonerated on corruption charges that prompted his resignation from office four years ago.

Olmert indicted in Holyland scandal

Published on January 5, 2012

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has been indicted on bribery charges in one of Israel's largest corruption scandals.

South Sudan president makes lightening visit to Israel

Published on December 20, 2011

The president of the new country of South Sudan arrived in Israel for a short working visit during which the possibility of repatriating Sudanese infiltrators to the country set to be discussed.

Olmert, Abbas outline 2008 differences and agreements

Published on January 28, 2011

Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas made advances in peace talks but could not overcome differences over settlements and refugees in time.

Olmert: Netanyahu leading Israel to political isolation

Published on October 12, 2010

Former prime minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday harshly criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman on the stalled peace process with the Palestinians.

Police recommend indicting Olmert over Holyland

Published on August 23, 2010

Israeli police have recommended that prosecutors indict Ehud Olmert in a real estate scandal.

Olmert questioned in Holyland real estate scandal

Published on May 25, 2010

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was questioned in connection with a massive real estate scandal.

Olmert could be indicted again

Published on May 3, 2010

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert could be indicted in another political corruption affair.

New corruption scandal dooms chances of Olmert comeback

Published on April 19, 2010

Whether or not he is found guilty of taking bribes in the Jerusalem Holyland corruption scandal, Ehud Olmert's political career is almost certainly over.

Olmert chief suspect in Holyland scandal

Published on April 15, 2010

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was identified as the chief suspect in a massive real estate scandal.

Police on Thursday identified Olmert as the senior figure in the Holyland project scandal.

Olmert trial postponed over new scandal

Published on April 8, 2010

The corruption trial of Ehud Olmert has been postponed for a month after the arrest of the ex-prime minister's former aide.

Olmert indicted in corruption case

Published on August 31, 2009

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert was indicted in three corruption cases.

As Olmert Exits, Creeping Doubts About His Ouster

Published on March 31, 2009

After finally leaving office this week, Ehud Olmert will have his hands full fighting the corruption charges against him.

Analysis: Israel seeks to change rules of the game with Gaza assault

By Leslie Susser
Published on December 29, 2008

In a news conference on the first night of the fighting, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spelled out the war's aims: to create a new security reality in the south in which Israeli civilians can live without fear of rocket or terror attacks.

Israel steps up Gaza pressure, Abbas tells Hamas ‘I told you so’

Published on December 28, 2008

Israel bombed smugglers' tunnels under the Gaza-Egypt border as part of its wide-ranging operation against Hamas in Gaza Sunday, as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said Hamas could have prevented Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip

Gaza operation begins with bombings, Olmert calls for unity, U.S. blames Hamas

Published on December 28, 2008

In an address Saturday night, Israel's prime minister, flanked by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, asked the Israeli public to unite around the Israel Defense Forces operation that began in Gaza earlier in the day.

Analysis: New Hamas Gaza rocket attacks pose dilemma for Israel

By Leslie Susser
Published on December 26, 2008

The renewal of intense Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli civilian areas has put Israelis in a somber mood during the usually festive week of Chanukah.

The dark side of Chanukah

Published on December 23, 2008

It is important to remember that men can never predict how their descendants will act or how their legacy of achievement will be treated

Analysis: Unchecked settler violence sparks fears of new intifada

By Leslie Susser
Published on December 11, 2008

The violent settler response to the evacuation of the building, dubbed the House of Contention by Israeli media and called the Peace House by settlers, was symptomatic of a relatively new phenomenon: growing numbers of radical settlers who feel alienated from the state, don't accept its authority and are ready to use violence to prevent it from taking action against settler interests.

Yes, we cantankerous

By Steve Greenberg
Published on November 13, 2008

Anger greets Olmert’s concessions on Golan, West Bank, Iran

By Leslie Susser
Published on October 6, 2008

Israelis on the right and left were angered by Ehud Olmert's suggestion in an interview at the twilight of his term that Israel should cede virtually all its disputed land. Too little, too late, said the leftists. Too much, said the rightists.

VIDEO: Who shall live . . .

By The Web Guy
Published on September 29, 2008

A montage of news photos from 5768 plus cantorial and modern music take this version of the 'Who shall live' prayer into YouTube land.

Can Livni form a coalition or are elections next?

By Leslie Susser
Published on September 25, 2008

Livni says she does not intend to be dragged into a long coalition-building process. If in about 10 days she believes the chances of forming a government are not high, she says she will lead a move for new elections herself.

A Rosh Hashanah message from Ehud Olmert

By Steve Greenberg
Published on September 23, 2008

Ehud Olmert era comes to ignominious end

Published on September 22, 2008

Ehud Olmert's formal resignation Sunday was an ignominious end to a premiership marked by multiple corruption scandals, a failed war in Lebanon and unfinished business on the Palestinian, Syrian and Iranian fronts.

Olmert submits resignation, promises to help Livni

Published on September 21, 2008

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert tells Cabinet stepping down "was not an easy or simple decision," then submits his letter of resignation to President Shimon Peres

Tzipi Livni wins Kadima contest—now the real work begins

By Leslie Susser
Published on September 17, 2008

With her decisive win in the Kadima party primary, Tzipi Livni now must assemble a coalition government so she can become prime minister. Then all she'll have to do is deal with all of Israel's regional threats.

Exit polls say Tzipi Livni wins big in Kadima primary

Published on September 17, 2008

Exit polls show Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni winning the Kadima Party primary by a double-digit margin.

ANALYSIS: Livni leads in polls, but Israel’s political map is unclear

By Leslie Susser
Published on September 8, 2008

There is a clear front-runner in the Kadima primary scheduled for Sept. 17, but it's not at all clear how Israel's political map will look once Ehud Olmert is gone

Candidate Profile: Tzipi Livni—a clean record but some say untested

By Dina Kraft
Published on September 8, 2008

Polls show that Livni, 50, is the leading contender to win Kadima Party primaries Sept. 17 to succeed Ehud Olmert

Candidate Profile: Shaul Mofaz, the hawkish centrist

By Roy Eitan
Published on September 8, 2008

The general-turned-politician Shaul Mofaz may have Iran to thank if he wins the race for Kadima's leadership. An inveterate hawk in a centrist party, Mofaz is stressing his military credentials to deal with Israel's security challenges

Ehud Olmert should be indicted, Israeli police tell prosecutors

Published on September 8, 2008

Ehud Olmert should be indicted on corruption charges, Israel police recommended Sunday. Bribery is the most serious of the charges that police recommended against the prime minister to Attorney General Menachem Mazuz. Others include fraud, breach of trust and money laundering.

Political realities may doom Olmert’s peace push

By Leslie Susser
Published on September 3, 2008

Although the Palestinians say wide gaps remain, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Olmert reportedly agreed in talks Sunday to make every effort to wrap up a full-fledged peace agreement by the end of the year. But both sides are skeptical.

Will new ‘Cold War’ play out in Middle East?

By Leslie Susser
Published on August 27, 2008

With talk of a new Cold War in the offing following Russia's recent military successes in Georgia, Israel is worried Russia might reassess this policy and use the sale of new weaponry to Syria -- or the threat of it -- to strengthen Russia's hand vis-à-vis Israel's primary ally, the United States.

Northern Israel needs investment to bolster it—- security and development are linked

Published on August 14, 2008

The graffiti on the Galilean bomb shelter that greeted Prime Minister Ehud Olmert wasted no words: "Wake up Sharon, Olmert's in a coma."

Olmert steps down

By Steve Greenberg
Published on August 5, 2008

Israeli policy headed for radical changes in post-Olmert era

By Leslie Susser
Published on August 5, 2008

Ehud Olmert's departure opens up the possibility of radical new directions in Israeli policy vis-a-vis the Palestinians, Syria and Iran

Ehud Olmert: A political time line

Published on August 2, 2008

From Knesset member to Jerusalem mayor to prime minister, Ehud Olmert's political life

Who will succeed Olmert?

Published on July 31, 2008

No matter who emerges as the successor to Ehud Olmert, new general elections for prime minister -- and, by extension, the entire Knesset -- may not be far away

Analysis: Olmert’s journey from right-wing idealogue to unsuccessful pragmatist

By Ron Kampeas
Published on July 31, 2008

Ehud Olmert's political career was marked by the shift from ideologue to pragmatist, as well as frequent allegations of personal corruption. Now at the end of his premiership, his signature projects remain unfinished

Israel political outlook uncertain as Olmert announces plans to resign [VIDEOS]

Published on July 31, 2008

Confronted with police investigations into possible illegal fund-raising activities and a climate of intense political hostility, including from leading members of his own party, the Israeli prime minister held a hastily assembled news conference Wednesday evening to announce he will resign the premiership

Obama sounds both hawkish and dovish themes in Israel, Jordan

Published on July 23, 2008

During his stops in Jordan and Israel, presidential contender Barack Obama has stressed both his backing for tough Israeli security measures and his commitment to advancing the peace process

Briefs: Olmert vows to solve conversion crisis, Israel names first female U.N. envoy

Published on July 23, 2008

Ehud Olmert pledged to solve an Israeli conversion crisis prompted by a rabbinical dispute

Now that Obama is in Israel, what should we expect?

Published on July 23, 2008

Barack Obama arrived in Israel and stressed the historic ties between the United States and the Jewish state. The presumptive Democratic presidential nominee is on a Middle East and European tour aimed at shoring up his foreign policy credentials.

Copycat bulldozer rampage in Jerusalem injures 28

Published on July 22, 2008

In an imitation of an attack nearly three weeks ago, an Arab construction worker drove a bulldozer on a rampage through the streets of Jerusalem, crushing cars and hitting a bus before being shot dead by Israeli border police

Hezbollah swap muddies Shalit talks

By Roy Eitan
Published on July 20, 2008

Having freed jailed Lebanese terrorist Samir Kuntar and four captive Hezbollah gunmen in exchange for two Israeli corpses, Israel is likely to face troubles bargaining down Hamas when it comes to a living hostage, Gilad Shalit

On eve of prisoner swap, Israel recalls 2006 Lebanon war

Published on July 16, 2008

For many Israelis, the timing of this week’s scheduled prisoner swap with Hezbollah serves as a bitter reminder of the failings of the Second Lebanon War. Two years since the 34-day conflagration -- sparked by Hezbollah taking two Israeli soldiers captive in a cross-border attack -- the war’s ostensible goals appear to be unrealized.

Olmert seen as lackluster at Paris

By Roy Eitan
Published on July 15, 2008

Weighed down by political scandal and challenges at home, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert appeared unusually subdued during his visit to Paris for the Union for the Mediterranean conference

Assad snubs Olmert at Sarkozy’s Mediterranean summit

By Devorah Lauter
Published on July 14, 2008

Though Syrian President Bashar Assad shared a conference room with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert at the Union for the Mediterranean summit in Paris, Assad managed to avoid the Israeli leader.

Sarkozy’s summit gets every* Arab country to sit with Israel

By Devorah Lauter
Published on July 14, 2008

While the French-initiated summit for the Union for the Mediterranean did not produce any major breakthroughs, French President Nicolas Sarkozy did recognize one achievement: every Arab country but *Libya sitting down with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

Mixed emotions in Israel as Cabinet approves MIA swap

By Roy Eitan
Published on June 30, 2008

Ehud Olmert's Cabinet approved a swap deal under which two Israeli soldiers deemed as "killed in action" would be returned soon. Meanwhile, the prime minister hinted it will be a dress rehearsal for the releases allowing Gilad Shalit to come home.

Bill Boyarsky: Calculating the value of Villaraigosa’s trip

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on June 26, 2008

One criticism of Villaraigosa's predecessor, Jim Hahn, was that he didn't understand the importance of symbolism, that he was too desk bound, too reluctant to make the grand gestures important in a sprawling city of many diverse communities.

Israel-Hamas truce begins and Israelis are ready if it fails

By Roy Eitan
Published on June 24, 2008

Israeli officials said Egypt has agreed to hold off on opening its border with Gaza -- a key Hamas demand -- until there is progress in talks on Shalit's return. The IDF is expected to be ready for a last-resort invasion of Gaza, if the cease-fire fails.

Viewing the truce from many sides

By Leslie Susser
Published on June 23, 2008

Israeli strategic thinkers are deeply divided over the implications of the truce between Israel and the Gaza-based Hamas fundamentalists. But whatever their perspective, most agree that it could have a profound impact on the future of Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Standing in the polls

By Steve Greenberg
Published on June 19, 2008