The legal investigation into Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and his alleged receipt of a bribe from businessman David Appel has led to a flurry of calls from politicians for his resignation.
The opposition Labor Party is demanding he be suspended or resign at this stage.
The smaller parties in the government are suggesting Sharon will have to step down if he is indicted.
For the time being Sharon’s Likud party colleagues are refusing to comment publicly on the affair.
Earlier this week Israel’s Foreign Minister Sylvan Shalom told The Media Line he is not currently planning a leadership bid. He said it is the last thing the Sharon government needs right now.
He attacked others whom he said are preparing themselves for a potential Sharon resignation.