JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced Wednesday he will resign in September, throwing his country into political turmoil and raising doubts about progress for U.S.-backed Mideast peace efforts.
Olmert’s brief address, given at his official Jerusalem residence, included harsh criticism of corruption investigations against him. He said he was choosing the public good over his personal justice. He has consistently denied wrongdoing but pledged to resign if indicted.
Appearing angry and reading from a prepared text, Olmert said, ‘‘I was forced to defend myself against relentless attacks from self-appointed ’fighters for justice’ who sought to depose me from my position, when the ends sanctified all the means.’’
Olmert, whose term was to end in 2010, said he would not run in his party’s primary election, set for Sept. 17, and would step down afterward ‘‘in order to allow the chairman to be elected and form a different government quickly and efficiently.’’ He did not answer questions from reporters.
Olmert’s popularity dropped below 20 percent at one point after his bloody but inconclusive war in Lebanon in 2006, and a string of corruption allegations and police interrogations have battered him in recent months. Political analysts here have predicted his resignation for weeks.
In Washington, the State Department said Olmert’s eventual departure from his post would not affect U.S. efforts to broker some kind of peace agreement with the Palestinians by the end of the year.
‘‘The Israelis will work out their own politics,’’ spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters. ‘‘We are going to look forward to working with all responsible Israeli leaders in the government, whether it is this government or some future government. I’m just not going to comment on their politics.’’
Olmert, 62, served as Jerusalem mayor for 10 years until 2003, when he was appointed trade minister in former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government. He held that position until he became prime minister in 2006 after Sharon suffered a devastating stroke.
His decision not to run in the Kadima Party primary sets in motion a process to choose a new prime minister. Main candidates in his party are Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz, a former defense minister and military chief of staff.
Polls show Livni with an advantage in the primary. If she were to replace Olmert, she would become Israel’s second female prime minister, after Golda Meir.
If Olmert’s successor as party leader can form a coalition, Israel could have a new government in October. If not, an election campaign could take several months. Olmert would remain in office until a new premier is chosen, heading a caretaker government after he submits his resignation to President Shimon Peres.
Olmert pledged to work for peace ‘‘as long as I am in my position,’’ and said that talks with Palestinians and Syria are ‘‘closer than ever’’ to achieving understandings.
But the internal turmoil could make it difficult for Olmert to close deals with either the Palestinians or Syria, agreements that have eluded successive Israeli leaders for decades.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said Olmert’s decision would change little. ‘‘It’s true that Olmert was enthusiastic about the peace process, and he spoke about this process with great attention, but this process has not achieved any progress or breakthrough,’’ Malki added. He said the Palestinians would deal with any Israeli government.
Olmert spoke as his delegation to indirect talks with Syria returned from their fourth round in Turkey. The two sides set another round with Turkish mediation for August.
Dan Margalit, an Israeli political analyst and longtime friend of Olmert who recently fell from his favor, called the decision to step down ‘‘a sad end to a miserable career.’’
Olmert’s brief address, given at his official Jerusalem residence, included harsh criticism of corruption investigations against him. He said he was choosing the public good over his personal justice. He has consistently denied wrongdoing but pledged to resign if indicted.
Appearing angry and reading from a prepared text, Olmert said, ‘‘I was forced to defend myself against relentless attacks from self-appointed ’fighters for justice’ who sought to depose me from my position, when the ends sanctified all the means.’’
Olmert, whose term was to end in 2010, said he would not run in his party’s primary election, set for Sept. 17, and would step down afterward ‘‘in order to allow the chairman to be elected and form a different government quickly and efficiently.’’ He did not answer questions from reporters.
Olmert’s popularity dropped below 20 percent at one point after his bloody but inconclusive war in Lebanon in 2006, and a string of corruption allegations and police interrogations have battered him in recent months. Political analysts here have predicted his resignation for weeks.
In Washington, the State Department said Olmert’s eventual departure from his post would not affect U.S. efforts to broker some kind of peace agreement with the Palestinians by the end of the year.
‘‘The Israelis will work out their own politics,’’ spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters. ‘‘We are going to look forward to working with all responsible Israeli leaders in the government, whether it is this government or some future government. I’m just not going to comment on their politics.’’
Olmert, 62, served as Jerusalem mayor for 10 years until 2003, when he was appointed trade minister in former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government. He held that position until he became prime minister in 2006 after Sharon suffered a devastating stroke.
His decision not to run in the Kadima Party primary sets in motion a process to choose a new prime minister. Main candidates in his party are Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Transport Minister Shaul Mofaz, a former defense minister and military chief of staff.
Polls show Livni with an advantage in the primary. If she were to replace Olmert, she would become Israel’s second female prime minister, after Golda Meir.
If Olmert’s successor as party leader can form a coalition, Israel could have a new government in October. If not, an election campaign could take several months. Olmert would remain in office until a new premier is chosen, heading a caretaker government after he submits his resignation to President Shimon Peres.
Olmert pledged to work for peace ‘‘as long as I am in my position,’’ and said that talks with Palestinians and Syria are ‘‘closer than ever’’ to achieving understandings.
But the internal turmoil could make it difficult for Olmert to close deals with either the Palestinians or Syria, agreements that have eluded successive Israeli leaders for decades.
Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki said Olmert’s decision would change little. ‘‘It’s true that Olmert was enthusiastic about the peace process, and he spoke about this process with great attention, but this process has not achieved any progress or breakthrough,’’ Malki added. He said the Palestinians would deal with any Israeli government.
Olmert spoke as his delegation to indirect talks with Syria returned from their fourth round in Turkey. The two sides set another round with Turkish mediation for August.
Dan Margalit, an Israeli political analyst and longtime friend of Olmert who recently fell from his favor, called the decision to step down ‘‘a sad end to a miserable career.’’