Acting Israeli PM a long-time Sharon ally

Acting Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who took over after Ariel Sharon suffered a massive stroke yesterday, is a seasoned operator and Sharon confidante who is comfortable in cut-throat local politics and in world capitals alike.

Like Sharon, his mentor in recent years, Olmert underwent a political transformation from hawk to moderate, from backing Israeli control of all of the West Bank and Gaza Strip with constant settlement expansion to helping Sharon lead Israel’s unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and part of the West Bank in the summer.