Ehud Olmert is 'honest', says George W Bush

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is under investigation for bribery, was an “honest man”, President George W Bush said yesterday, on the eve of his visit to the Middle East.

Mr Bush’s comments came as police raided Jerusalem’s city hall in search of evidence to be used in the bribery case which could force Mr Olmert from office.

The prime minister admitted last week that he took money from Morris Talansky, an American businessman, but has denied any wrongdoing, saying he would step down only if indicted.

Mr Olmert said money from Mr Talansky came as contributions to his two campaigns for Jerusalem mayor in the 1990s and for posts in his former political party, Likud, in 1999 and 2002. Current Israeli law broadly prohibits political donations of more than a few hundred dollars.

With a newspaper opinion poll showing that a majority of Israelis want Mr Olmert to resign or go on leave over the affair and do not believe his denials, the scandal threatens to overshadow Mr Bush’s visit to mark Israel’s 60th birthday and to promote peace making efforts with Palestinians.

“I understand the legal issue goes on and I ... respect Israeli rule of law,” Mr Bush said.