Portrait of Ehud Olmert
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Ehud Olmert on Palestine

Two-state solution advocate (strong) Position evolved

TL;DR

Ehud Olmert strongly advocates for a two-state solution as the only way to guarantee Israel's future as a democratic Jewish state.

Key Points

  • He backed the creation of a Palestinian state and relinquishing parts of the West Bank to maintain Israel's Jewish majority as early as January 2006.

  • Olmert proposed a peace agreement to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2008 based on a two-state solution, reportedly including shared Jerusalem.

  • In May 2025, he stated that Israel was committing war crimes in Gaza due to the indiscriminate killing of civilians and called the government a 'criminal gang'.

Summary

Ehud Olmert, the former prime minister of Israel, has positioned himself as a proponent of a two-state solution, viewing it as the necessary framework for lasting peace and Israel's long-term viability as a democratic Jewish state. During his premiership, he engaged in comprehensive peace talks, notably at the 2007 Annapolis Conference, where he reportedly discussed dividing Jerusalem and implementing land swaps with the Palestinian Authority leader, though the talks ultimately stalled. In his post-premiership career, he has continued to champion this two-state framework, even collaborating on joint proposals with former Palestinian leaders to advance a cessation of hostilities and a political resolution.

However, his stance also shows a capacity for sharp criticism of current Israeli government actions, particularly regarding military operations in Gaza. The former prime minister publicly asserted that Israel was committing war crimes in Gaza, citing the indiscriminate killing of civilians reaching “monstrous proportions.” This critical perspective on contemporary military conduct contrasts with his foundational belief in a political resolution, suggesting a position that supports Palestinian statehood while strongly condemning specific military policies that he views as criminal and counterproductive to national goals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ehud Olmert continues to strongly advocate for a two-state solution as the only path to peace, according to events in 2025. He has recently collaborated with Palestinian leaders on a joint proposal outlining recommendations for lasting peace, as reported by Princeton-affiliated organizations. However, Olmert also sharply criticizes the current government's actions in Gaza, stating that Israel is committing war crimes.

Yes, during his term as prime minister, Ehud Olmert engaged in intensive negotiations, reportedly proposing a peace agreement to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2008. This proposal included dividing Jerusalem as a joint capital and implementing land swaps, according to his memoirs. The talks ended before a final deal was signed.

His fundamental belief in a two-state solution appears consistent since at least 2006, as he warned that its failure would mean the end of Israel as a democracy. However, his public assessment of current Israeli military policy has evolved, as the former prime minister declared in 2025 that Israel was committing war crimes, a position he previously suggested he would not take.

Sources4

* This is not an exhaustive list of sources.