Someone’s wanting change in the government… of Israel.

Israel’s powerful defense minister on Wednesday called on Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to step down amid a burgeoning corruption scandal and threatened to bring down the government if the Israeli leader does not comply.

The ultimatum was the latest in a string of career-threatening challenges that Olmert has weathered during his two years in office.

If Labor Party leader Ehud Barak carries out his promise to withdraw from Olmert’s fragile coalition, new elections could usher in a government opposed to current peace talks with the Palestinians and Syria.

And that’s a good thing. Olmert would give too much away and get nothing. Can’t have that. Wouldn’t be an Israel left if he did that. He’s given too much away already. Without talks. Without preconditions. Of course, the destruction of Israel is the goal of those Israel is negotiating with.

One of his little faults, taking money from an American. Doesn’t pay to have a foreigner finance one’s lifestyle. Methinks he needs to take lessons from Bill Clinton on how to do that.

More erudite commentary at Meryl’s. She’s better at this stuff than I am.