Coalition chair to present PM with letter asking him to resign

[oberliner]

Sources in Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Kadima party said Tuesday that the coalition chairman, Avigdor Yitzhaki, is gathering signatures for a letter he will present to Olmert on Thursday, asking him to resign in the wake of the damning report on the handling of the Second Lebanon War.

Olmert insisted in a televised address to the nation following the release of the report Monday that he would not step down. But officials close to the prime minister said Tuesday night that he realized a public outcry could force him out.

Israel Radio said Tuesday that Yitzhaki would call on Olmert to resign during the Kadima faction meeting Thursday.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/854197.html

[saltpoint]

1. "As well, we'll even drive you to the bus station."

I think the Prime Minister does not have the support to continue in his role.

[oberliner]

2. Kadima kingpin Yitzhaki publicly urges PM to quit

In a step which may create irreversible momentum within the prime minister's own party, Kadima action chairman and coalition chair Avigdor Yitzhaki Wednesday publicly called on Ehud Olmert to resign from office over the conclusions of the Winograd Committee's interim report on the conduct of the Second Lebanon War.

Underscoring the seriousness of his call, Yitzhaki issued what amounted to an ultimatum to Olmert, declaring that if the prime minister decided to remain in his position, Yitzhaki would immediately resign his.

"Today, during the meeting of the faction, after I have stated my opinion that the prime minister should resign, if he decides that he will not resign, I will cease being the faction chair and the chairman of the coalition."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/854673.html