The former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has launched a stark critique of current leader Benjamin Netanyahu, accusing him of actively undermining the foundations of Israeli democracy. In an interview with the German Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, Olmert expressed deep concern over what he described as Netanyahu’s deliberate effort to erode the rule of law, alleging a willingness to commit serious legal breaches and dismantle institutions responsible for upholding justice. He asserted this dismantling is being pursued with the consistent backing of Netanyahu’s political allies, directly endangering the core principles of Israeli democracy.
Olmert’s assessment casts a long shadow over Israel’s long-held claim to be the sole democratic nation in the Middle East, questioning the validity of that title in the current political climate. “We were always proud to say that Israel is the only democracy in the Middle East. But is it that today? I am not sure and I believe many Israelis feel the same” he stated, highlighting a growing unease within the country.
Beyond concerns about the executive branch, Olmert warned of a perilous escalation of violence perpetrated by radical settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank. He characterized this as the most significant and dangerous threat to Israel’s long-term security, arguing that the government’s failure to rapidly address the situation risks triggering a massive terrorist escalation within the West Bank and posing a broad threat to Israel’s overall security.
Perhaps most critically, Olmert raised the specter of international legal action against Israel as a consequence of the settlers’ actions. He specifically warned of the possibility of Israel being brought before the International Criminal Court in The Hague, charged with enabling crimes of the gravest nature committed by settlers, facilitated through the tacit support of Israeli police and military forces. He urged immediate intervention to avert such a scenario, underscoring the potentially devastating ramifications for Israel’s standing on the global stage and accountability for actions within the occupied territories. Olmert’s words represent a rare and pointed condemnation from within the Israeli political establishment, signaling a deepening crisis of confidence and raising fundamental questions about the future trajectory of Israeli democracy and its relationship with both the Palestinian people and the international community.
