Sharon escapes prosecution but son indicted

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon weathered another storm today when Israel’s attorney general declined to charge him in a party finance scandal while indicting his son.

The decision by Attorney General Meni Mazuz came just a day after Israel’s parliament gave its final approval for the withdrawal from Gaza and parts of the West Bank.

Some settlers to be evacuated were beginning the process of applying for compensation, a lawyer said, while others vowed to fight the removal of their settlements.

An indictment of Sharon might have forced him to step down, delaying or even scuttling the pullout plan, which faces stiff opposition in his own Likud party.

Instead, Mazuz put the onus of the alleged irregularities on Sharon’s older son, Omri.

Omri Sharon, now a member of the Knesset, Israel’s parliament, is suspected of setting up a shell company to direct cash to his father’s Likud Party primary campaign in 1999. Sharon was later elected premier in 2001 and 2003.

“Charges will be brought against Knesset Member Omri Sharon,” the Justice Ministry said in a statement. “The attorney general decided to close the file in all matters in this case pertaining to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on grounds of insufficient evidence.”

Omri Sharon will be charged with failing to keep proper accounts, accepting illegal contributions and other offences, the statement said.

Last year, Mazuz decided not to indict Ariel Sharon on charges of taking bribes from an Israeli businessman, overturning a recommendation from the state prosecutor’s office. An investigation continues into a questionable loan to Sharon’s sons in connection with the 1999 campaign.

The myriad investigations into financial irregularities involving Sharon and his sons have had little impact on the Israeli political scene. Many Israelis express cynicism about their politicians, assuming that most are corrupt, and the issue pales in comparison to the importance attached to issues concerning the Palestinians, especially the pullout plan.

The plan still faces a series of Cabinet votes starting on Sunday, but Vice Premier Ehud Olmert said: ”There is an absolute majority in the Cabinet for a withdrawal.”

Many of the 9,000 settlers to be removed from their homes hoped a defeat in parliament would scuttle the plan to withdraw from Gaza and four West Bank settlements. But the 59-40 vote for the pullout and compensation Wednesday persuaded many the withdrawal would proceed.

About 200 families are preparing to file compensation claims worth about £25m (€36m), said Yosef Tamir, a lawyer representing those families. The overall coast of compensation is to be £450m (€651m), according to the new law.