By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : Israeli Housing and Construction Minister Ze’ev Boim announced Monday that he supports Transportation Minister Shaul Mofaz to replace Ehud Olmert as chairman of the ruling Kadima party.
Boim told a press conference in Tel Aviv that he made the decision after weighing the qualities that he believes a prime minister should possess, including political, defense and diplomatic experience, ability to make complex decisions, honesty among others.
“I have come to the conclusion that Mofaz possess all of these,” he said, while stressing that besides the former defense minister, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, Interior Minister Meir Sheetrit and Public Security Minister Avi Dichter are also worthy candidates.
Boim also called on all Kadima members to make a choice and rally round whoever wins the primary, in order to enable the ruling party to take care of national missions.
As of Olmert, who was embroiled a legal battle over corruption and graft suspicions and decided not to run in the primary scheduled on September 17, Boim said he hopes that Olmert would beable to clear his name.