O. was born near Binyamina in the British Mandate of Palestine. O. is married to Aliza, a writer of novels and theater plays. The couple has four biological children and an adopted daughter. His grandfather, J. J. Olmert settled in the Chinese city of Harbin after World War-I, where he died. O.'s father Mordechai grew up in Harbin where he led the local Beitar youth movement. In 1933, O.' father moved to the British Mandate of Palestine, where he affiliated with the Jewish militia group Irgun. He promoted Israel's land settlement, was a member of the Second and Third Knessets, and died 1999.

O. himself was a member in the Beitar Youth Organization. After his studies at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, he acquired degrees in psychology, philosophy and law and opened a law partnership in Jerusalem. O. served in the Golani combat brigade and completed his military duties as a journalist. During the Yom Kippur war he joined the headquarters of Ariel Sharon as a military correspondent. 

O. was first elected to the Knesset in 1973 as a member of Likud and was re-elected seven consecutive times. Between 1981 and 1989, he was a member of the Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee and was active in the Finance, Education and Defense Budget Committees. Later on, he became minister in different portfolios. Between 1993 and 2003, O. served two terms as Mayor of Jerusalem. 

In January 2003, O. was elected member of the Knesset, appointed minister in different departments, and became Acting Prime Minister as Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's right hand. When Sharon announced his leaving the Likud and the formation of a new party, Kadima, Olmert was one of the first to join him. In January 2006, O. became the effecive Prime Minister as a result of the stroke suffered by Ariel Sharon. When Sharon was incapacitated, O. became Prime Minister on 4 May 2006. Since his attack on Lebanon in summer 2006, O. has become unpopular in Israel. In 2007 and 2008, O. was the subject of police investigations.  
 
Werke von / Works of O..: 

Literatur über / Writings concerning O.: 

Literatur im Katalog der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek von und über / Writings in the catalogue of Deutsche Nationalbibliothek of and about :  Ehud Olmert    

Letzte Änderung / Last update: 27.12.2008 

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