Dr Uzi Landau

In a HARDtalk interview shown on 3rd June 2008, Stephen Sackur talks to Dr Uzi Landau, a senior Likud politician.

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is in deep trouble.

Prosecutors are investigating allegations that he received substantial sums of cash from an American businessman over many years.

His own defence minister has told him to step down.

He himself denies the allegations and has said he would only step down if charges were brought against him.

Nonetheless, the coalition Government could be brought down by the affair.

The right wing Likud opposition is demanding an early election, and their leader Benjamin Netanyahu is riding high in the polls.

Stephen Sackur talks to a senior Likud politician, formerly a Cabinet minister in Ariel Sharon's Government, and asks why is Israel so lacking in leadership?

HARDtalk is broadcast on BBC World News at 03:30 GMT, 08:30 GMT, 14:30 GMT, 20:30 GMT and 22:30 GMT.

Hardtalk can also be seen on BBC News at 04:30 & 23:30.