Olmert announces: I will run for prime minister in next Israeli election
At a fundraising event in London two weeks ago, the former prime minister, who was forced to resign in 2008 for corruption charges, stated his intention to give it another go in four years.
By Anshel Pfeffer | Apr.24, 2013 | 7:44 PM
LONDON – Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced two weeks ago in a closed meeting with donors that he plans to run in the next Knesset election as a candidate for prime minister.
The intimate event, which took place at the London headquarters of the investment bank Goldman Sachs in Canary Wharf, was attended mostly by Israeli businesspeople. It was organized by Ruach Hadasha (New Spirit), a civil movement promoting student life in Jerusalem, to raise funds for community-based youth projects.
In addition to praising the movement's work, Olmert spoke – in English – about the current political situation in Israel. According to those in attendance, Olmert said he was pleased with the success of Yair Lapid's Yesh Atid party in the recent election and the new voices in Israeli politics.
"The problem with the last elections was that no one ran against Netanyahu for prime minister," he said. When asked about Labor party leader Shelly Yacimovich, who said she was running for prime minister, Olmert was dismissive. He then announced that he is planning to run for prime minister in the next election. His declaration, which was made twice, was greeted with applause.
http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/olmert-announces-i-will-run-for-prime-minister-in-next-israeli-election.premium-1.517401
