Now that Olmert is history, we can wrap up the Prime Ministers in History series on The Israel Situation. The most recent Prime Minister is harder to look at in a historical perspective, but has no lack of controversy to add to the post.
Olmert was born in 1945 near Binyamina in what would shortly become Israel. Olmert attended Hebrew University (my study abroad school) and earned degrees in psychology, philosophy, and law. Olmert grew up in a Zionist home and became affiliated with the Beitar Youth Movement at a young age.
After spending time in the Golani Brigade of the IDF and practicing law, Olmert was elected to the Knesset as a member of Likud and held several portfolios before being elected mayor of Jerusalem in 1993. As mayor, Olmert worked on mass transportation projects including the now under construction Light Rail line. His term lasted until 2003.
Olmert was elected to the Knesset again in 2003 and held several ministerial portfolios. He became acting finance minister in 2005 when Benjamin Netanyahu resigned in protest of the Gaza pullout.
When Ariel Sharon left Likud to form the Kadima party, Ehud Olmert was one of the first high profile MKs to join him. This put Olmert in a high position in the new party, which he eventually became leader of when Sharon suffered a career ending stroke. Olmert was subsequently elected Prime Minister.Olmert will be remembered for overseeing the Gaza Pullout which was engineered by Ariel Sharon. Olmert was also Prime Minister during the 2006 Lebanon war and Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip. These operations, primarily the Gaza withdrawal, changed Israel’s political and social landscape and the shock waves will be felt for generations.
His term as Prime Minister came to a quick end as Olmert was investigated for corruption charges. As it became apparent that the suspicions were correct, Olmert resigned as Prime Minister paving the way for Tzipi Livni to take over as party chair and the eventual 2009 election that brought Benjamin Netanyahu back to power.
Olmert remains in Israel married to his wife, Aliza. He has four grown children living in Israel and the United States.
This is the final post of a series titled Prime Ministers in History. The series focuses on the lives and careers of the men and women who have held Israel’s highest office.
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