Israelis Call On Olmert To Resign....

[RamyGras]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6621337.stm


Israelis call on Olmert to resign

Rabin Square was filled with thousands of protesters

Tens of thousands of Israelis have rallied in Tel Aviv, calling for Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to quit over his handling of last year's Lebanon war.
Demonstrators filled Rabin Square three days after an official interim report sharply criticised Mr Olmert's role in launching and running the war.

Followers of political parties from across Israel's often bitter political divides were present at the rally.

Mr Olmert says he will stay in office and implement the report's proposals.

But on stage in Tel Aviv a large banner carried a message directly aimed at the country's leaders: "You failed, go home."

Organisers, who said 100,000 protesters were at the event, banned politicians from taking to the stage, but said politicians from all parties were welcome in the crowd.

"There are no politicians here, but this is a political event," said Uzi Dayan, a retired general and one of the organisers.

Olmert 'weak'

Many people in the crowd made clear the widespread anger at the government's handling of the 34-day conflict with Hezbollah militants.

"All this government needs to go - including Prime Minister Ehud Olmert," one protester, Shevah Salner, told the BBC in the square.


"They were elected to bring hope and all they brought is disappointment."

The prime minister's aides say he will not be moved by opinion polls or rallies, the BBC's Tim Franks reports from Tel Aviv.

There are some who say Mr Olmert can draw strength from the fact he remains in office today, our correspondent says.

But, he adds, the Israeli prime minister's position does remain weak.

Edan Mehallel, 16, from the northern city of Haifa, told the Associated Press he lived through Hezbollah rocket attacks and had come to make a difference.

"The more people there are, the more influence the demonstration will have," he said.

Knesset support

Earlier, Israel's parliament, the Knesset, held an extraordinary session to debate the report's findings.

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu called for Mr Olmert to resign, but Kadima MPs backed the prime minister and a vote of no-confidence was not held.

The report, issued after a six-month investigation led by retired judge Eliahu Winograd, accused Mr Olmert of "serious failure in exercising judgement, responsibility and prudence".

On Wednesday Mr Olmert's own Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, called for the prime minister to resign, offering to stand as his replacement.

Defence Minister Amir Peretz and the former military Chief of Staff Dan Halutz were also heavily criticised by the report.

The inquiry, commissioned by Mr Olmert, did not explicitly call for resignations.

[singern]

Biggest rally Ive ever seen anywhere, Well over 100,000 people,
Olmert and Peretz are walking on coals. I said from the beginning neither one had the experience to lead. Olmert was the mayor of Jerusalem. Peretz was a low level cabinet member with zero military experience, I never understood his appointment.

God bless democracy.

[RamyGras]

I saw photos. It looked unreal. Now, a quick question. How does the prime minister elections work. It seems there have been five elections in ten years, but I thought they had four year terms, like in the U.S. Obviously, the math doesn't work. If he holds out, and remains seated, how long until another election?

[Prada]

At least the Israelis are smart enough to recognize incompetency when they see it and react to oust him. That is a functional democracy from that aspect.

[singern]

I saw photos. It looked unreal. Now, a quick question. How does the prime minister elections work. It seems there have been five elections in ten years, but I thought they had four year terms, like in the U.S. Obviously, the math doesn't work. If he holds out, and remains seated, how long until another election?

Elections in Israel are much like in the US except for some subtle differences. We have two major parties along with more than 20 smaller political parties which combine to form coalitions.
The Knesset (Israeli Parliament) can hold a vote of no confidence in a political leader or call for early Elections. This happens quite often but normally the vote is not enough to pass. Similar to having a president impeached but instead of the VP taking over we hold elections.