Israel approves Olmert's Cabinet shuffle

JERUSALEM, July 4 (UPI) -- A panel of Israeli government ministers Wednesday approved Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's Cabinet reshuffle despite bickering over one appointee.

Consensus was reached after former Justice Minister Haim Ramon declined a position offered him by Olmert, but Ramon then accepted the post of vice premier with a job in Olmert's office with responsibility for state policy, Ynetnews reported.

Ramon resigned as justice minister last summer to stand trial for indecent assault, and was found guilty of harassment.

The compromise opened the door for the panel to accept Olmert's shuffle, which included new ministers for finance, housing and interior.

The report said Olmert was keen on having Ramon on board as he is deft at political maneuvering, which Olmert anticipates needing soon when a government inquiry issues its report criticizing his handling of last summer's war with the Hezbollah in Lebanon.