Olmert Approves of Sex Offender’s?

Olmert rewards disgraced ally

Ramon had forcibly kissed an Israeli woman soldier[AFP]

3 July 2007

Ehud Olmert, Israel's prime minister, has named his ally Haim Ramon, who was convicted of sexual misconduct this year, deputy prime minister.

Olmert's decision received cabinet approval on Wednesday as Ramon returns to the government six months after he was found guilty of committing an "indecent act" by forcibly kissing a woman soldier.

As part of a cabinet reshuffle, Olmert nominated Ramon, a close ally in his centrist Kadima party, to replace elder statesman Shimon Peres.

Peres was elected head of state on June 13 to succeed Moshe Katsav, who faces his own conviction for sex offences.

'Amoral'

On Tuesday, a religious feminist organisation appealed to the high court against Ramon's nomination, branding it "amoral" and "unacceptable".

The government has faced a series of probes implicating Olmert and his lieutenants - the latest was the case of Avraham Hirshson, the finance minister, who resigned over the weekend amid police inquiries for embezzlement.

Ramon had resigned as justice minister last August, after he was accused of forcibly kissing a soldier at a party on July 12 - the day Israel launched its devastating war against Lebanon's Hezbollah.

Though he denied the charges, a court later convicted him.

Ramon helped found Kadima with Ariel Sharon, the former Israeli premier, and is considered one of the closest allies of the beleaguered premier.

Source