Knesset forces Olmert to explain himself
The MKs want Ehud Olmert to explain why he refuses to resign:
MKs from both opposition and coalition parties submitted a petition to Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik on Tuesday demanding the plenum hold a special debate with the participation of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to discuss "the prime minister's refusal to resign following the Winograd report."Olmert would do well to step up to the podium and start giving some clear answers as to why he's still staying put when the time has come for him to pack his bags.
46 MKs signed the petition, including six from the Labor Party. The signatures of only 40 MKs are legally required in order to force the prime minister to participate.
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"We only turned to the clause in the Basic Law: The Government that forces the prime minister to participate in the discussion after Olmert, who refuses to take responsibility, evaded appearing before the Knesset plenum," [Gideon] Sa'ar said.
To date, Olmert has refrained from addressing the report before the plenum.
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"The prime minister cannot continue avoiding to deal with the report and its severe findings," [Ami] Ayalon said. "If he does not understand himself that he must provide the Knesset and the public with clear answers, the Knesset will require him to."
