Olmert Voted Israel's Most Corrupt Government Minister for Second Consecutive Year

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert actually finished on top of an opinion poll this week, although it is unlikely to put a smile on his face. Public sympathy following his announcement that he has been diagnosed with prostate cancer did not prevent Olmert from being voted Israel's most corrupt government minister, and for the second year in a row. Indeed, the percentage of those questioned who described Olmert's public service as "corrupt to very corrupt" actually increased from last year's poll results, from 42% to 56%.

What does it say about the overall corruption of the Israeli body politic that, in a parliamentary system, where a single no-confidence vote in the Knesset would trigger new elections, the least popular and perhaps the most corrupt Prime Minister in Israeli political history continues to hold office? Shame on Kadima's coalition partners--Labor, SHAS and Yisrael Beiteinu--for conspiring to keep this albatross around Israel's neck, in order to preserve their own petty political fiefdoms.