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Occupied Jerusalem: Israeli police questioned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert for a third time amid growing calls that he resign over a probe into his financial dealings.
The questioning today came less than a week before Olmert's lawyers get a chance to cross-examine U.S. businessman Morris Talansky who has said he gave Olmert more than $100,000 in cash- stuffed envelopes.
Officers met with Olmert for two hours until about noon at his official residence in Jerusalem today, police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said by telephone. Police left without making any statement to the media, Israel Radio said.
The allegations against the prime minister, together with his low popularity ratings, threaten to force Olmert from office. A poll in the daily Yediot Ahronot today found that 79 percent of his Kadima party, which yesterday decided to hold primaries in September, support Olmert's resignation.
Talansky, a New York-based investor and fundraiser for Olmert when he was mayor of Jerusalem for 10 years, is scheduled to be cross-examined July 17.
The U.S. businessman testified in May that he gave Olmert about $10,000 to $15,000 a year during the 15 years before he became prime minister in 2006, much of it in cash. Olmert claims the funds were legitimate campaign contributions and has denied any wrongdoing.
Both Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, who founded the Kadima Party with Olmert in 2005, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak, chairman of the allied Labor Party, are trying to get Olmert to step aside. Livni leads in Kadima polls to take over as leader from Olmert.
In addition to the Talansky probe, Olmert is being investigated over accusations he bought a Jerusalem house at a below-market price in exchange for helping a building contractor. He also faces probes over allegations he favored associates in awarding jobs and financial aid when he was industry and trade minister. He has denied any wrongdoing.
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