Olmert resignation looks certain

Now that his main coalition partner has called for him to step down, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's dramatic years in office look to be just about over. Olmert is trying to negotiate peace deals with the Palestinian Authority and Syria at the same time he is facing a criminal investigation into cash contributions he received from an American businessman. Barring a spectacular breakthrough in the next few months, Olmert cannot possibly reach a successful conclusion to any peace deals while he is facing an almost certain indictment that impugns his honesty. Former Prime Minister Ehud Barak of the Labor Party, currently defense minister in the Kadima-led coalition, said Wednesday that Olmert should step down, at least temporarily, until the corruption allegations were resolved. Barak's demand would cause the coalition to collapse if Labor bolts, and trigger a new parliamentary election. Olmert's term runs until 2010 unless he loses his majority in the Knesset, Israel's parliament. Barak made the statement at a press conference called one day after a New York businessman testified in court in Israel that he gave Olmert envelopes containing thousands of dollars in cash.