Dichter. 'Don't speak ill of police'
Photo: Tsafrir Abayov
Livni. Silent
Photo: Dudi Vaaknin
Ministers back PM's decision not to step down
Weekly cabinet meeting sees show of support Olmert's decision not to resign pending results of new police investigation against him; Foreign Minister Livni is only minister to keep silent. Transportation Minister Mofaz: Olmert innocent until proven guilty
As his lawyers prepared for the legal fight, and while political figures questioned his ability to govern while being investigated by the police, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert
received support from his fellow party and government members Sunday.
"The prime minister, like any other citizen, has the right of innocence. He is innocent until proven guilty," said Mofaz, adding that the prime minister's remarks
on Thursday evening were clear.
A Kadima ministers meeting Sunday morning turned into a show of support for the prime minister, on the backdrop of the developments in the Talansky affair. Most of the party ministers – including Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz, Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit and Housing Minister Ze'ev Boim – stood by Olmert.
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Olmert himself did not address the affair, and was not the only one to ignore it: Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni also kept silent. She made do with her statement from last week, according to which the law enforcement elements must be allowed to conduct their investigation and that the separation of powers must be maintained.
Minister Dichter, who is in charge of the law enforcement system, asked his colleagues "not to speak ill of the police in such a forum" and allow the investigators to complete their work.
Olmert clarified, "I do not question the work of the police and the State Prosecutor's Office."
Olmert enters cabinet meeting (Photo: AP)
Shas ministers also showed their support for Olmert during the weekly cabinet meeting. "We must wait patiently until the investigation into this affair is completed and hear about the developments," Industry, Trade and Labor Minister Eli Yishai said.
"Any remarks at this time are completely unnecessary. I am more concerned about the fact that no decisions have been made in regards to the Gaza vicinity and the situation in Lebanon," he added.
His fellow party member, Minister Yitzhak Cohen, noted that the prime minister could stay in office at this point.
At the end of Independence Day, after the gag order placed on the new investigation was partially lifted and the details were published in the Israeli media, Olmert stated, "I never took a bribe, I did not put one penny into my pocket." He promised to resign immediately should the affair lead to a indictment.
