Former PM Olmert Accuses Israel of Ethnic Cleansing in West Bank

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert launched a scathing attack on current Israeli policy, accusing a "group of murderous terrorist criminals" of attempting ethnic cleansing in the West Bank. Speaking on 103fm radio, Olmert stated that the actions occurring in the territories are systematic, aimed at harming, robbing, destroying, burning, and killing Palestinians to drive them from their homes, with the ultimate goal of Israeli annexation.

Olmert also criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, referencing a report that Netanyahu received a warning from UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed before the October 7th Hamas attacks. Olmert asserted that such a conversation should have been recorded and immediately relayed to Israel's military and security leadership. He declared that if Netanyahu failed to do so, it constituted a "treacherous criminal act" that should not be forgotten or forgiven.

He specifically targeted National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, calling them symbols of this "brutal policy," while noting that others are also complicit.

Furthermore, Olmert expressed concern that the IDF Chief of Staff, Herzi Halevi, could become a target of the International Criminal Court in The Hague due to the army's formal sovereignty in the West Bank. However, Olmert clarified he does not blame Halevi, urging him to use all available means to prevent the unacceptable actions.

Olmert's remarks also touched upon a decision by 12 Western nations, led by the UK, to impose sanctions on products from the West Bank, which he linked to the alleged ethnic cleansing efforts. He also briefly mentioned his new book, "Arizona, All of Us," and details about a Syrian reactor, noting that more information can now be revealed 19 years after the event.