Olmert says Netanyahu ‘morally unfit’
A few hours before Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to announce his candidacy for Likud Party leadership, Finance Minister Ehud Olmert says he is an ‘unworthy man – both morally and as far as his personal capabilities are concerned’
Only a few hours before Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to announce his candidacy for Likud Party leadership, Finance Minister Ehud Olmert says during a Jerusalem press conference that he is an "unworthy man – both morally and as far as his personal capabilities are concerned."
“This has been proven in the past, and I hope it would not have to be proven again,” Olmert said.
“I agree with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s remarks regarding Netanyahu’s inability to serve as prime minister. I have no doubt in my mind that Bibi (Netanyahu) is attempting to create a situation of ‘total destruction,’ to serve his personal interests.”
Olmert, who toured soup kitchens in the south on Monday, added that “the public is weary of politicians’ superficial decisions. I plan on setting up a committee to deal with social issues and plan to present its conclusions within a few weeks, in a bid to offer a more balanced solution to the social polarization.”
'Omri Sharon doing damage'
Likud member and Netanyahu supporter Uri Farage told Ynet that, “if Sharon will be able to get more than 80 percent of the Likud Central Committee members to come and vote on September 26 (Central Committee vote on bringing internal party elections forward), we will have a serious problem,” adding that in this case Sharon may be able to call off the demand to bring the primary elections for party chairman forward.
“However, if he will not be able to pull this off and eventually lose in the Central Committee, that will be the end, simple as that. If we will be able to pass a proposal with set dates for primary elections, it would be a clear sign of the end of Sharon’s era in the Likud,” he said.
Farage said many Likud members are irate at the fact that Sharon ignored the results an internal party poll on the disengagement.
“People voted, and he simply ignored us,” he said.
Farage said he believes Sharon’s son, Knesset Member Omri Sharon, is tarnishing his father’s image.
“Omri is causing a lot of damage in the Likud Central Committee and this is hurting Arik as well,” he said.
- Attila Somfalvi contributed to the report
