Netanyahu 'enough is enough': ex-Israeli PM

Defence affairs

Ehud Olmert criticizes Israeli prime minister for prioritizing personal interests over national interests.

Ehud Olmert, prime minister between 2006-2009, said in an interview in Paris that the United States has more influence on the Israeli government "than all the other powers put together" and that Trump can "make a difference".

He said Netanyahu "failed completely" as a leader by not preventing the October 7, 2023 attack by Palestinian group Hamas that sparked the war.

He said while the international community accepted Israel's right to self-defense after October 7, this changed when Netanyahu spurned chances to end the war in March and instead ramped up operations.

Netanyahu "has his personal interests which are prioritized over what may be the national interests," Olmert charged.

Analysts say Netanyahu fears that if he halts the war, hardline members of his coalition will walk out, collapsing the government and forcing elections he could lose.

"If there is a war which is not going to save hostages, which cannot really eradicate more of what they did already against Hamas and if, as a result of this, soldiers are getting killed, hostages maybe get killed and innocent Palestinians are killed, then to my mind this is a crime," said Olmert.

"And this is something that should be condemned and not accepted," he said.

Trump should summon Netanyahu to the White House Oval Office and facing cameras, tell the Israeli leader: "'Bibi: enough is enough'", Olmert said, using the premier's nickname.

"This is it. I hope he (Trump) will do it. There is nothing that cannot happen with Trump. I don't know if this will happen. We have to hope and we have to encourage him," said Olmert.