 JERUSALEM - One of the parties in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud OlmertÂ’s coalition has split, but the new partyÂ’s members say they might still back the government. Three members of parliament from the Gil pensioners party said Sunday they are joining Russian-Israeli tycoon Arkady Gaydamak to form the Justice for Pensioners Party. The Gil party won seven seats in the last election but has been plagued by infighting in recent months.
Moshe Sharoni, the leader of the rebels, and Gaydamak said their new party might support Olmert if he promises more benefits to retired Israelis.
Gaydamak is a controversial figure in Israel, donating millions to charities, buying sports teams but operating under a cloud of unproven suspicions of shady dealings. |