Israeli analysts say the country’s Prime Minister Ariel Sharon may have to resign or temporarily step down pending an investigation into his alleged receipt of a bribe from a businessman.
A court indicted David Appel on Wednesday for his alleged attempts to bribe Sharon, Sharon’s son Gilad and Deputy Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.
The incident dates back to 1998 when Appel supposedly tried to use Sharon’s political influence to arrange the purchase of a Greek island to turn it into a vacation resort.
Taped conversations suggest Appel offered cash and political help in return.
Legal experts in Israel say Appel will find it extremely difficult to prove his innocence. However, they say it may be far more difficult to prove guilt in the cases of the Sharons and Olmert.
Some 50 percent of Israelis believe Sharon should either resign or was knowingly involved in the scandal, according to opinion polls in the country’s two largest selling dailies on Thursday.
Israel’s acting Attorney-General Edna Arbel says she will conclude her investigation of Ariel Sharon as soon as possible.
The prime minister told Russian journalists late on Wednesday that he has no intention of resigning at any point.