(1945- ) A Jewish Israeli political figure and lawyer. A long-time member of the Likud party, he left Likud in 2006 to help form the Kadima party after Israel’s withdrawal of settlements from Gaza (see Gaza Disengagement). Olmert has served in both municipal and national governmental positions, including parliament member from 1973-1993, Mayor of Jerusalem from 1993-2003 and Prime Minister from 2006-2009. During his tenure as Prime Minister, he oversaw the 2006 Lebanon War, took part in the 2007 Annapolis Conference, and ordered the Israeli military offensive into Gaza at the end of 2008 (see Gaza War). Olmert stepped down as Kadima party leader in July 2008 due to corruption allegations and officially left his post as Prime Minister in February 2009. He has since been charged in several corruption cases. See “Profile: Ehud Olmert.” 30 August 2009. BBC. 27 June 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4135680.stm.  http://www.justvision.org/glossary/olmert-ehud