Ehud Olmert denies ever having taken a bribe. The former prime minister, who was officially revealed today to be the person suspected of accepting a bribe of millions of shekels in the affair of the Holyland real estate project in Jerusalem, published a first response to the allegations against him this evening.
"I welcome the decision to lift the gag order in what has become known as the Holyland affair. It's a relief for me," Olmert says in his statement. "In any case my name appeared in all the media.
"An attempt is being made here at character assassination without precedent in its scope and strength. I, my family, my wife and children, have all been hurt. Unfounded rumors without a grain of truth in them have been spread about.
"I supported the Holyland project from the outset, when it included three hotels for boosting tourism in Jerusalem, in the middle of the 1990s and as the 50th anniversary of Israel's founding approached, as well as housing units for the non-haredi population that we wanted to attract to the center of the city," the statement continues.
"The plans were completely changed after I ceased to be mayor of the city. I had no hand in the changes that were introduced afterwards.
"I declare categorically that, as I have said in the past, no bribe has ever been offered to me, and I have never accepted a bribe from anyone, in any matter, in any way, whether directly or indirectly.
"I call upon all parties to be patient, to respect the investigation, to refrain from hasty and unfounded prejudgment. Not to reach unreasoned conclusions, and not to involve themselves in obstructing the investigation through tendentious and unfounded reports and leaks.
"I am here. I am ready to be questioned at any stage and at any moment that the police decide they want to question me.
"As Memorial Day approaches, I embrace the bereaved families and wish the people of Israel a happy Independence Day," the statement concludes.
Expectations are growing that the police will confront Olmert with Uri Lupolianski, who succeeded Olmert as mayor of Jerusalem, and who was arrested yesterday on suspicion of having accepted bribes amounting to NIS 3 million in the Holyland affair.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on April 15, 2010
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