28-03-2024 10:58 AM Jerusalem Timing

Zionist Court Hears ex-Premier Olmert Corruption Ruling Appeal

Zionist Court Hears ex-Premier Olmert Corruption Ruling Appeal

The Israeli Supreme Court on Tuesday heard the appeal of disgraced former prime minister Ehud Olmert, who asked that an eight-month corruption prison sentence be cancelled, or at least served concurrently.

OlmertThe Israeli Supreme Court on Tuesday heard the appeal of disgraced former prime minister Ehud Olmert, who asked that an eight-month corruption prison sentence be cancelled, or at least served concurrently.

Olmert is already facing 18 months in prison for a separate conviction on bribery, which he will begin on February 15.

Tuesday's hearing was over Olmert's May 2015 conviction at the Jerusalem District Court of fraud and corruption for receiving envelopes of cash from a US businessman while trade and industry minister in the early 2000s.

The appeal was over "the conviction and the punishment" as well as "the decision it will be consecutive and not concurrent," a lawyer for Olmert told the panel of five justices.

Justice Neal Hendel did not seem convinced.  

"A person committed two felonies. Why would he get some kind of discount," he asked.

Olmert was led the Israeli war against Lebanon in 2006 when Hezbollah defeated the Zionist army despite all the massacres it committed against the Lebanese civilians.