Olmert and Barak Launch Sharp Criticism of Netanyahu and Israel’s Iran Strategy

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and former Defense Minister Ehud Barak appeared in an interview with Piers Morgan where they launched an unprecedented attack on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his government, and Israel’s approach to Iran. Barak sharply criticized the recent Israeli strikes against Iranian targets, calling them a "complete failure" and dismissing the strategy as based on a fantasy that eliminating a few leaders could topple the Iranian regime. He warned of the dangers this approach poses to Israeli democracy.

During the interview, Barak also faced tough questions regarding his alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein amid accusations made by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed she was abused by a "former foreign prime minister." Barak denied any involvement, stating that Giuffre could never have met him and that he was introduced to Epstein only in May 2003 by Shimon Peres, after Giuffre had already been married and separated from Epstein. He emphasized that her name never appeared in any documents linking him to the scandal.

Olmert joined Barak in condemning the current government’s policies, describing them as having a "fascist and extreme character." The interview highlighted deep divisions within Israeli political leadership over the handling of Iran and internal governance. The discussion comes amid ongoing global attention to the Epstein scandal and its alleged connections to prominent figures worldwide.

The interview aired on July 9, 2026, and is expected to fuel further debate on Israel’s security policies and political climate under Netanyahu’s administration.