The premier said he had a job to do and would continue doing this to the best of his ability, while the police were free to investigate and do their job.

On Sunday he told a meeting of his Kadima party ministers, "I have no complaints about the State Prosecutor's Office or the police, and I find no fault with them."

His comment followed Public Security Minister Avi Dichter's concern that the meeting could possibly give the impression that Olmert's party was against the police's investigation into Olmert allegedly receiving bribes and donations from a Jewish-American confident and associate of his.

American businessman and fundraiser Morris Talansky is alleged to have donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Olmert when he was the industry and trade minister in Ariel Sharon's government from 2003-2005.

However, Olmert has tried to draw the focus of the investigation and the public's attention toward funds he also received from Talansky during the years 1999 to 2002 when he ran for mayor of Jerusalem twice and participated in the Likud primary.

He acknowledged receiving the money from Talansky, saying they had known each other for 20 years, but said they were merely campaign contributions and were intended to cover losses.

This led one law-enforcement official, who is familiar with Olmert's testimony and the investigators' work, to comment that it appeared that the prime minister may be attempting to mislead the public.

Investigators are instead focusing on gathering incriminating evidence about Olmert's activities since 2005 saying it would be easier to uncover suspicions related to a more recent period than those from 15 years ago.

The investigation is the fifth against Olmert since his government took office exactly two years ago and the latest in a long string of probes to dog him during his three decades in politics.

Although he has never been charged and has never been convicted of criminal activity, the allegations against him have damaged his reputation which was also hurt by the failures of the 2006 Lebanon war.

His inability to deal with continuing Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza has also exacerbated his flagging status with Israelis.

Some of his Kadima comrades have rallied to his support, defending his right to innocence until proven guilty. Several went so far as to call for legislation barring investigation of sitting prime ministers.

Key party activists even convened a show of support for Olmert at Kadima headquarters in Petah Tikva on Sunday. Two hundred party members also sent a message to their ministers and Knesset members that they expect them to give Olmert their full support.

His strongest support came from fellow Kadima ministers Shaul Mofaz, Roni Bar-On, Meir Sheetrit, Ruhama Avraham Balila, and Vice Premier Haim Ramon who lashed out at Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni for failing to rally around the premier calling her an "ingrate," and warned that she would pay the price.

But Livni has long harbored ambitions to one day be prime minister and rivalry between herself and Olmert are an open secret. Other Kadima members have played both sides of the coin.

Publicly they have refrained from attacking Olmert or challenging his leadership, but privately they have been discussing his replacement while suggesting that he "is finished."

The police for their part are relying on wedging a split between two of Olmert's most loyal aides, his attorney Uri Messer and Olmert's former office manager, Shula Zaken. Their relationship goes back to the 70s when they worked with Olmert in his legal firm.

So far Zaken has remained mum, despite being placed under house arrest and being interrogated four times. But, it appears police believe it is only a matter of time before she cracks, as both Olmert and Messer referred police to her saying she was responsible for handling Talansky's donations.

"She knows very well what the fact that she is keeping quiet means," a law-enforcement source said. "It has been made clear to her that her silence reinforces the suspicions against Olmert, who, without her, cannot refute the allegations against him.

Investigators believe it is a relatively easy case to prove as they have cross-checked a number of sources which reinforce their case. They also say that although the picture will be clearer in weeks as to where the case is heading, it could be months before they draw a final conclusion.