Monday, 25 May 2026
Ex-Israeli PM: Trump should tell Netanyahu ‘enough’
PARIS – Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has called on US President Donald Trump to firmly urge Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu to halt the war in Gaza, condemning its continuation as a “crime” and asserting that only a two-state solution can bring lasting peace.
Speaking to AFP in Paris, Olmert, who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2009, emphasized that the United States wields greater influence over Israel than any other nation and that Trump’s intervention could be pivotal.
Olmert criticized Netanyahu’s leadership for failing to prevent the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that triggered the war, describing it as a complete dereliction of duty.
He noted that while the world initially recognized Israel’s right to defend itself after October 7, international sentiment shifted when Netanyahu missed opportunities to end the conflict in March, choosing instead to escalate military actions.
According to Olmert, Netanyahu has put “personal interests ahead of national priorities.”
Analysts observe that Netanyahu is concerned a ceasefire could prompt hardliners within his coalition to withdraw support, potentially toppling his government and leading to elections he might lose.
“If this war isn’t rescuing hostages or decisively weakening Hamas, and if it results only in more soldiers, hostages, and innocent Palestinians being killed, then in my view this is a crime,” Olmert declared. “This must not be accepted and should be universally condemned.”
Olmert urged Trump to invite Netanyahu to the White House and publicly confront him, saying, “Bibi: enough is enough.”
“I hope President Trump will take this step. With Trump, anything is possible. We can only hope and encourage him,” Olmert added.