Ehud Olmert has decided not to run for the leadership of his centrist Kadima Party.
The Israeli prime minister was expected to make the annoucement during a hastily organized speech at 8 p.m. Israel time (1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time).
The Prime Minister’s Office did not give details of the speech, but Israeli media are reporting that Olmert will announce he is not running in primaries for the leadership of Kadima. Olmert has been the subject of a number of corruption investigations. Some of his government colleagues have called on him to step down, saying the scandals are impeding peace talks with the Palestinians and Syria.
Omert’s decision is expected to turn the spotlight on Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the second-ranking member of the party.
Livni was the subject of a lengthy New York Times Magazine profile almost exactly a year ago. I’d urge people who are following the Middle East to read it. Now.