MKs call on Olmert to suspend himself

Saar: He's the most investigated premier with least public support; Gal-On: I know he won't step down.

By GIL STERN STERN HOFFMAN
saar 248.88 (photo credit: Ch. 2 [file])
saar 248.88
(photo credit: Ch. 2 [file])
Knesset members from both the Right and the Left lashed out at Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Sunday, calling on him to suspend himself after it was announced that he was to be investigated for a third time. "The most-ever investigated prime minister in the history of Israel with the least public support in the history of Israel has no legitimacy to negotiate the fate of Jerusalem, and I doubt that he can continue to run the affairs of the country when there are so many criminal investigations against him," Likud faction chairman Gideon Saar said shortly after the public was made aware of Attorney-General Menahem Mazuz's decision to order the investigation. State Control Committee Chairman Zevulun Orlev echoed Saar's words, saying, "No human being can run a country with so much hanging over his head." "He cares only about himself instead of the citizens of his country," he added. "Woe to a country whose fate is in the hands of leaders that are busy day and night with saving their own skin." Labor MK Ophir Paz-Pines taunted the prime minister for "breaking a record" in investigations. "He has broken a record," he said. "There have never been that many investigations at the same time against a public figure. No wonder that Olmert organized a campaign to delay his investigation. He was being 'serially investigated' and he should suspend himself." Meretz MK Zehava Gal-On also said the prime minister was being "serially investigated," adding that since she didn't expect the prime minister to suspend himself, "I call on the responsible officials in the coalition - if there are any - to insist that he do so."