Israeli police again question Olmert

Israeli police questioned Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Friday for the fourth time in a corruption investigation that is a key factor in his political downfall.

The session was the latest round of questioning on suspicions that Olmert improperly accepted money from an American businessman. Another case involves alleged violations in funding trips abroad.

Though Olmert has not been charged, public anger over allegations that he had a lavish lifestyle further damaged his already dismal approval ratings. Olmert announced Wednesday that he would resign after his Kadima party holds primaries in September to choose a new leader.

The investigation has seriously hampered Olmert’s ability to conduct peace talks with the Palestinians and Syria, although he has said he will persist in those efforts as long as he is prime minister.

Police officers questioned Olmert at his Jerusalem residence for three hours, said his spokesman, Amir Dan.

“The prime minister answered all of the investigators’ questions,” Dan said. “Of his own volition, he suggested adding an hour to the questioning. The questions were to the point.”

Dates will be set next week for further questioning, Dan said.