In statements to local radio station 103 FM, Olmert called for "an end to the government's excesses and arrogance," noting that the policies led by Ben-Gvir and Smotrich are causing a catastrophe for Israel and will lead to its international isolation and ostracism.
When asked if they could be "terrorists," Olmert replied, "Yes, definitely terrorists." Olmert criticized the war on Gaza, describing it as "a war without a goal and without hope of success, just deception and arrogant, baseless boasting."
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has launched a massive assault on the Gaza Strip, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring international appeals and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt the war. These operations, with American support, have resulted in the deaths and injuries of more than 175,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, in addition to more than 11,000 missing and hundreds of thousands displaced, while famine has spread widely.
Olmert explained that what was happening was "actions that led to the loss of the hostages in Gaza, and resulted in the killing of Israeli soldiers and the injury of a large number of Palestinians." He noted that continuing the fighting without a real goal meant either rescuing the hostages or losing them, but there was no hope of success.
For his part, Ben-Gvir responded to Olmert's statements, saying, "It's no surprise that Olmert, a convicted criminal, describes ministers as terrorists." He added, "It would be better for the released prisoner to rehabilitate himself and stop repeating nonsense on air."
It's worth noting that Olmert spent 16 months in prison after being convicted on corruption charges, making him the first prime minister in Israel to be imprisoned on corruption charges. Current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also faces trial on corruption charges.
Netanyahu's far-right government faces sharp domestic criticism, including responsibility for Israel's international isolation and growing hatred of the country. In remarks Wednesday evening, Olmert asserted that Israel is committing war crimes not only in Gaza, but also in the occupied West Bank, where Palestinians are subjected to increasing attacks by the Israeli military and settlers.
Meanwhile, Yair Golan, head of the opposition Democratic Party, said in statements on Tuesday that the government "kills Palestinian children as a hobby," stressing the need to address this reality when "ministers celebrate the death and starvation of children."
The official Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported that Israel is experiencing an unprecedented diplomatic crisis due to its escalation of the war on Gaza, explaining that what is happening amounts to a "diplomatic tsunami."
On November 21, 2024, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity against Palestinians in Gaza.
Israel continues to occupy lands in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, and refuses to withdraw from them or establish an independent Palestinian state on the pre-1967 borders.
