AhlulBayt News Agency: Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has urged US President Donald Trump to pressure Israel into ending its military campaign in Gaza, citing Washington’s significant influence over Tel Aviv.
In an interview with AFP published on Tuesday, Olmert condemned the ongoing war in Gaza as a “crime” and insisted that a two-state solution is the only viable path to ending the prolonged conflict.
He emphasized that the United States holds more sway over Israel than any other global power and argued that Trump has the ability to intervene decisively.
Olmert suggested that Trump should summon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House and publicly tell him, “Bibi: enough is enough.”
“I hope he (Trump) will do it … I don’t know if this will happen. We have to hope and encourage him,” Olmert added.
He criticized Netanyahu’s leadership, stating that he had “failed completely” by not preventing Hamas’s October 7, 2023, retaliatory attack.
Olmert claimed that while the international community initially accepted Israel’s right to self-defense, Netanyahu missed opportunities to end the war in March and instead escalated military operations.
He further accused Netanyahu of prioritizing his personal interests over Israel’s national interests.
Despite occasional concerns expressed by US officials, Washington remains Israel’s primary ally, using its veto power at the UN Security Council and approving billions of dollars in arms sales.
The Israeli military resumed its bombardment of Gaza on March 18, killing thousands of Palestinians and injuring many more after violating a two-month ceasefire agreement with Hamas.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, at least 54,927 Palestinians have been killed, mostly women and children, with another 126,615 injured since the war began in October 2023.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and former military affairs minister Yoav Gallant, citing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice over its actions in the besieged coastal territory.
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