Olmert questioned about Holyland deal

JERUSALEM, May 25 (UPI) -- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert underwent several hours of questioning Tuesday in connection with a Jerusalem real estate deal, a spokesman says.

Olmert was summoned by police to answer allegations that he received bribes for promoting a real estate project on a large tract of land where the Holyland Hotel once stood, Ynetnews.com reported Tuesday.

Owners of the land are suspected of paying bribes to increase their building rights on the property and to have the land's zoning changed to residential.

They reportedly received many other benefits including tax breaks from the municipality of Jerusalem for the project.

Some of the changes made in the project were carried out during Olmert's terms as mayor of Jerusalem while others occurred during the term of his successor, The Jerusalem Post reports.

Police have already questioned one of the owners of the project.