Olmert's opponents react, most commend his decision

For perhaps the first time since being elected to office, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert commanded wall-to-wall support in the Knesset's halls on Wednesday evening.

MKs from both ends of the political spectrum lauded his decision not to run in the upcoming Kadima primary elections and pledge he would step down as prime minister once a successor was elected.

His chief political rivals - Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Foreign Affairs Minister Tzipi Livni and Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz – are all currently in Washington.

Livni received a message about Olmert's address during her meeting with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and top Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia. "The prime minister has made a difficult and personal decision, and it was the correct decision," she said. Livni added that Kadima should work towards maintaining the unity of the nation and its ability to lead it.

Barak, a former prime minister himself and chairman of the Labor party, called Olmert's decision "right and appropriate."

Mofaz, who has already launched an election campaign for the Kadima primaries, said Olmert had made the "right decision" and that the party now has "a great responsibility to choose the next prime minister".

Labor faction chairman, MK Eitan Cabel said he was not surprised by the prime minister's announcement. "It would have been better if he had made it a long time ago, and spared everyone a lot of anguish. "I don't think there will be much choice but to hold a new election," said Cabel.

Vacating office, Olmert after address (Photo: Alex Kolomoisky) 

Kadima MK Isaac Ben-Israel called the decision "worthy of praise." He added that "the prime minister did the right thing at the right time and displayed responsibility that should be cherished and commended."

Meanwhile the Likud party said Olmert's announcement was sufficient cause for a general election, after which Likud Chairman Benjamin Netanyahu said he would aspire to establish a national unity government.

"It doesn't matter who stands at the head of Kadima. Everyone is responsible for the government that failed miserably at governing the nation," the party's statement said.

Meretz Chairman Haim Oron commended Olmert's decision, but said the police investigations against him must continue. "The investigation must continue with Olmert defending himself as a citizen," he said, adding that the new government's test will still be the ongoing peace efforts opposite the Palestinians and Syria.

But not everyone was happy. Minister of Pensioner Affairs Rafi Eitan said he was 'sorry' Olmert would be stepping down. "I think Olmert is an excellent Prime Minister. He ran the government with dignity even in the difficult times recently. Israel needs stability these days. I hope we come through this next difficult period without sustaining too much shock," he said.