February 01, 2007	Thursday	Muharram 12, 1428

TEL AVIV, Jan 31: An Israeli court on Wednesday found ex-justice minister Haim Ramon guilty of sexual harassment, dealing a blow to key ally Prime Minister Ehud Olmert as he plans a major cabinet reshuffle.

“We find the accused guilty of the charge of an indecent act,” said Hayuta Kohan, chief justice of the three-member panel.

The unanimous verdict in the case – one of a spate of scandals involving top Israeli officials – was eagerly awaited in political circles as it will have a direct impact on Olmert’s teetering coalition.

Observers said the conviction of one of Olmert’s closest allies who helped found his centrist Kadima party with former premier Ariel Sharon could also have serious implications for the beleaguered premier himself.

“This is not Ramon’s trial, it’s the trial of Olmert’s government,” Daniel Ben Simon, a political analyst for the Haaretz newspaper said.—AFP