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IDF soldiers operating in the Gaza Strip during Operation Cast Lead, January 2009. (Getty Images / Image
Bank.)
had little practical impact even though the UN General Assembly endorsed it. Richard Gold-
stone, the chief author, himself later denounced the report.
But questions about the report and many other efforts, including coverage by foreign
media, remained: Was Israel being demonized and delegitimized? Were Western politicians,
intellectuals, media, and public opinion starting to see Israel as an aggressor rather than as the
defender of its citizens?
THE PEACE PROCESS DEADLOCKED
Although Israelis generally supported Olmert's foreign and strategic policy, they were skepti-
cal about him personally, given both the mismanagement of the Lebanon War and several
personal fi nancial scandals. Throughout his tenure, Olmert was accused of corruption. When
evidence and testimony accumulated about bribe-taking and an indictment seemed possible,
he announced, in July 2008, that he would not seek reelection as the Kadima Party's leader.
In September 2008, Livni narrowly won internal party elections, defeating former chief of
staff Shaul Mofaz. After Livni's election, Olmert resigned as prime minister, making him the
interim prime minister until Livni could form a government. When she was unable to do so,
national elections were scheduled for February 2009.
In the elections, Kadima won one seat more than Likud, twenty-eight compared to twenty-
seven. Although it had the largest number of seats, Knesset members from smaller parties
preferred Netanyahu, giving him the parliamentary majority needed to form a government.
