In a frank interview with AFP in Paris on June 9, 2025, Ehud Olmert, Israel's prime minister from 2006 to 2009, delivered a stark message: "U.S. President Donald Trump needs to tell Benjamin Netanyahu that enough is enough," he said, calling the ongoing Gaza operations a "crime" risking countless lives.
Olmert laid much of the blame on Netanyahu's leadership, asserting he "failed completely" first by not preventing Hamas's October 7 attack and later by rejecting ceasefire overtures in March to ramp up military operations instead.
He highlighted the United States as Israel's most powerful ally: "The U.S. has more influence on the Israeli government than all the other powers put together," Olmert argued, urging Trump to leverage that clout to halt the violence.
At its core, Olmert insists only a two-state solution can secure lasting peace. His call echoes as France and Saudi Arabia prepare to co-host a New York meeting on steps toward recognizing a Palestinian state later this month.
Olmert's core points:
- Leadership Gap: Netanyahu's personal interests have, in Olmert's view, overtaken national priorities.
- Missed Ceasefires: Rejected March truce offers would have paused fighting, he noted.
- Human Cost: Continued operations risk more soldier, hostage, and civilian casualties.
With the global spotlight on U.S.–Israel relations, Olmert's challenge to Trump underscores a pivotal question: will diplomatic pressure finally steer both sides toward a ceasefire, or will the conflict drag on, deepening its regional and international repercussions?
Reference(s):
Ex-Israeli PM: Trump must tell Netanyahu to stop the war in Gaza
cgtn.com
