Ehud Olmert Criticizes Netanyahu Government Over Gaza Ceasefire and Proposes Multinational Force
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert sharply criticized Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his government, which he dubbed the "TikTok government," accusing them of opposing a ceasefire in Gaza and preferring to continue the conflict. In an interview with ynet ahead of a conference at the Tel Aviv Museum of Science, Olmert argued that no real progress can be made without establishing a multinational military force to enforce a ceasefire and contain Hamas. He suggested that this force should include Palestinians and moderate Arab countries such as Egypt and Jordan, dismissing the need for more distant contributors like Indonesia.
Olmert expressed trust in Egyptian, Jordanian, and Palestinian security forces, emphasizing Egypt's strategic role despite public hostility toward Israel. He lamented Israel's refusal to cooperate with these countries, attributing it to the current government's arrogance and unwillingness to resolve the conflict. He also called for a technocratic government to manage Gaza's reconstruction, restoring living conditions for hundreds of thousands displaced by the fighting.
The conference Olmert was attending focused on what is known as the "Trump peace plan," which Olmert described as a ceasefire agreement with a 20-point framework similar to one he co-authored with former Palestinian Foreign Minister Dr. Nasser al-Kidwa in July 2024. He praised the plan's principles but stressed that implementation depends on cooperation from local actors and the establishment of the enforcement force.
Regarding the 20th anniversary of the Second Lebanon War, Olmert defended his tenure as prime minister, rejecting criticism from Cabinet member Miri Regev that the war's end allowed Hezbollah to strengthen. He highlighted Israel's efforts to block weapons shipments to Lebanon during his term and maintained that UN Security Council Resolution 1701 was fully upheld until his departure in April 2009. Olmert dismissed hypothetical questions about targeting Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah as unproductive, noting that his government took decisive covert actions when necessary.
Overall, Olmert portrayed the current Israeli government as reckless and ineffective, contrasting it with what he described as his own responsible leadership style.
