Politician · person

Ehud Olmert on Benjamin Netanyahu

Vehement critic (strong)

TL;DR

Ehud Olmert strongly opposes Benjamin Netanyahu, criticizing his leadership and handling of the Gaza war as a profound failure.

Key Points

He criticized Netanyahu for having "almost nothing right" in the conduct of the Gaza war since October 7, 2023.
Olmert asserted that Trump should directly tell Netanyahu "enough is enough" regarding the continuation of the war in Gaza as of June 2025.
He is engaged in an effort to promote a regional solution that includes recognizing a Palestinian state, which implies a change from the current government's direction.

Summary

Ehud Olmert is one of Benjamin Netanyahu's most vocal critics, consistently and sharply attacking his government's strategy, particularly regarding the conflict in Gaza. He charged that the premier "failed completely" in preventing the October 7, 2023, massacre and later rejected opportunities to end the fighting, which Olmert subsequently deemed a "crime." Olmert argues that Netanyahu prioritizes personal political survival over national interests, leading to unnecessary military actions and deepening Israel's international isolation.

Beyond the immediate conflict, Olmert is actively promoting an alternative path that requires a change in Israeli leadership to achieve a comprehensive regional peace involving Palestinian statehood. He views the current situation as a dead end, warning that without a bold diplomatic shift—one he would have initiated—Israel risks continuous confrontation. Olmert, a former political rival who also emerged from the same party, suggests that the situation requires leaders who can make the difficult concessions necessary for a historic peace process, implying Netanyahu is incapable of this.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Ehud Olmert's position on Netanyahu?

Ehud Olmert is strongly opposed to Benjamin Netanyahu, viewing his leadership as a failure, particularly concerning the war in Gaza, according to interviews in 2025. Olmert believes Netanyahu is prioritizing personal political interests over the national good, leading to deeply problematic military conduct.

Has Ehud Olmert changed their stance on Netanyahu?

Olmert has evolved from being a former colleague in the same political party to becoming one of Netanyahu's most outspoken critics, according to reports on his recent public statements. His current stance is consistently one of strong condemnation regarding policy and leadership failures.

What did Ehud Olmert say about Netanyahu's handling of the Gaza war?

Ehud Olmert told reporters in June 2025 that Netanyahu "failed completely" to prevent the October 7 massacre and that continuing the war in Gaza after certain opportunities passed constitutes a 'crime.' He argued that the premier lacks the necessary strategy for the conflict.