May 8 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who once described himself as "indestructible", denied allegations of corruption on Thursday but said he would resign if indicted. Here are five facts about Olmert: * Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas relaunched Israeli-Palestinian peace talks at a U.S.-backed conference last November after a seven-year hiatus and agreed to try to reach an agreement on Palestinian statehood by the end of this year. But he heads a fractious coalition and many doubt he can win Israeli support for the critical concessions needed to secure a deal. * Olmert served as mayor of Jerusalem from 1993 to 2003 and used to position to champion building Jewish enclaves in Arab parts of the city. He confirmed on Thursday he took money from a New York-based financier to fund campaigns for city hall and later for internal elections in the right-wing Likud party. Olmert spent his mandatory military service as a reporter due to health problems, seeing combat only from afar. He entered parliament aged just 28 and, in his 30s, he briefly reenlisted to undergo an officer's course. He also had a legal career. * He joined former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in leaving Likud in 2005 to form the centrist Kadima party and became leader when Sharon was felled by a stroke in January 2006. Kadima won elections two months later. Olmert refused to resign after a scathing official report on the conduct of the 2006 war against Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas. * As well as the latest investigation, Olmert is facing police probes in two other corruption affairs in which he denies wrongdoing. They relate to his conduct before becoming prime minister in 2006 and include accusations he dispensed favours in return for a discount on the 2004 purchase price of a Jerusalem home. He also faces allegations that as trade minister in 2003 he appointed cronies to a state business authority. Last November, police concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue complaints against him over his role in the sale of state-owned Bank Leumi when serving as finance minister. * A keen runner, sports fan and fitness fanatic, he is now 62. His approval ratings got a boost last October when he announced he had early-stage prostate cancer but would stay on in office. He plans to have surgery to remove the growth. Olmert and his artist wife Aliza have four children. (Writing by Ori Lewis)
Arab Israelis march for the right of return for refugees who fled their homes during the 1948 war that followed the creation of Israel, which celebrated its 60th anniversary May 8, ...
