PARIS: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has urged United States President Donald Trump to tell Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu that “enough is enough,” condemning the continuation of the war in Gaza as a crime and insisting that a two-state solution is the only viable path to end the conflict.
Speaking in an interview in Paris, Olmert emphasized that the United States holds more sway over Israel than any other country and that Trump has the power to bring about meaningful change. He acknowledged that the international community initially accepted Israel’s right to self-defense following the October 7 attacks but said that sentiment shifted in March when Netanyahu rejected opportunities to end the war and instead escalated military operations.
Olmert accused Netanyahu of prioritizing personal interests over national ones. Analysts believe Netanyahu is concerned that ending the war would prompt hardline coalition members to withdraw support, potentially collapsing the government and leading to elections he may lose.
Olmert criticized the war’s continuation, stating that if military operations are no longer saving hostages or significantly weakening Hamas, and are instead leading to more deaths of soldiers, hostages, and innocent Palestinians, then such actions should be condemned as crimes.
He called on Trump to summon Netanyahu to the White House and publicly declare that it is time to stop, saying, “Bibi: enough is enough.” Olmert expressed hope that Trump would take such a step, noting that with Trump, “there is nothing that cannot happen.”
Despite occasional concerns raised by Washington, the United States remains Israel’s closest ally, regularly using its veto power at the UN Security Council and approving multi-billion-dollar arms sales. Israel’s offensive has resulted in the deaths of 54,880 people, mostly civilians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, figures regarded as credible by the United Nations.
Olmert is working with former Palestinian foreign minister Nasser Al-Qidwa on a plan to resolve the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict by establishing a Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. The proposal includes a mutual land swap of 4.4 percent, granting Israel portions of the West Bank occupied by Israeli settlers and offering the Palestinian state land currently within Israel.
Ahead of a conference in New York this month, co-hosted by France and Saudi Arabia to discuss Palestinian statehood, Olmert said the plan is practical, realistic, and viable. In a column for Haaretz, titled “Enough Is Enough. Israel Is Committing War Crimes,” Olmert described Netanyahu’s government as a “criminal gang” and questioned whether ongoing actions could be considered anything but war crimes. He reiterated this view in a CNN interview, accusing Netanyahu and his far-right coalition members of committing serious violations.
Olmert, who served prison time from 2016 to 2017 for corruption charges that ended his political career and peace efforts, remains a prominent critic of Netanyahu. Despite both having emerged from the Likud party, Olmert continues to push for peace, though he acknowledges that support for a Palestinian state and land swaps has dwindled in Israeli society since the October 7 attacks.
He emphasized that leadership on both sides is essential and said that their efforts aim to raise awareness internationally and domestically that peace is still possible. Al-Qidwa, who will present the plan with Olmert at a Paris conference organized by the Jean-Jaurès Foundation, described it as the only feasible solution. However, he noted that both Israeli and Palestinian societies need to be convinced, which is difficult while the war continues.
Al-Qidwa expressed optimism that perspectives would change once the conflict ends but stressed that meaningful progress would not occur under the current Israeli and Palestinian leadership. He argued that both Netanyahu and President Mahmoud Abbas, who has been in office for two decades, must be replaced, describing the Palestinian leadership as “corrupt and inept.
Read also:UN warns Gaza hunger crisis deepening due to Israeli blockade
