Olmert with Ramon
Photo: Yoav Galai
Tamir
Photo: Sasson Tiram
I fulfilled my duty to Olmert, Ramon says
Newly elected vice premier says he was ready to retire from politics, but prime minister's insistence obligated him to take up new position. 'If I find out that I have to fight with people, I'll resign,' he states
"I'm tired and mainly want to go to sleep," newly elected vice premier Haim Ramon told Ynet Thursday, hours after his appointment to the new post. "I feel fine, but it's not a great joy. I owed this to Ehud Olmert and I fulfilled my duty," he explained.
Following the rough year he's been through, Ramon admitted that he was ready to retire from politics, but that the prime minister's insistence obligated him to take up the new position.
"If the prime minister allows me, I would gladly do everything. If I find out that I have to fight with people, I'll resign. I have no intention of fighting with people, either in the office or outside it. I should be allowed to do my job," he stated.
Tamir justifies supporting Ramon
Meanwhile, Education Minister Yuli Tamir, who was one of the prominent speakers against former president Moshe Katsav's plea bargain, explained that her support in Ramon's appointment Wednesday was motivated by the court's decision not to label his offense moral turpitude.
"I never said Haim Ramon was deserving of the vice premier post. His appointment is certainly problematic and what he did shameful. But we must accept the court's stance, that his actions do not constitute moral turpitude," she told Ynet.
However, she added that "from an educational point of view there's a problem, I have a problem with this as education minister. I have a problem explaining this to the students and teachers."
Tamir said that Ramon should be treated with consideration. "The man made a mistake, and will have to pay the price for the rest of his life.
Ronny Sofer contributed to the report
