Speaking with Radio 103FM on Sunday morning, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, the first and only prime minister to be convicted of crimes and jailed, explained with a measure of confidence that as Israel heads to a third round of elections, it is clear that Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu has finished serving in his post and his days as Prime Minister are over.
Olmert spoke out against coalition efforts, despite having been a player in forming two such governments; in 1984 and 1988, but today, he feels the players are different and therefore, not comparable. He feels the attacks against one another seen in recent weeks will only intensify in the coming weeks ahead of elections.
He cited the fact that three former IDF chiefs of staff exhibiting a willingness to enter into a coalition “with enemies of Israel”, namely the joint Arab list, shows that today, times have changed for such a reality would not and did not occur back then, during the days of Shimon Peres and Yitzchak Shamir and the political scene was entirely different.
On the other hand, he cites that PM Netanyahu in his reference to former IDF chiefs of staff, MKs Benny Gantz, Moshe Ya’alon and Gabi Ashkenazi, who led the nation through wars, are attacked for expressing a willingness to sit with the Joint Arab List, which Netanyahu refers to as the enemies of Israel while they were democratically elected and swore an oath of allegiance to the nation. Olmert explains “I am convinced” that Netanyahu is done and cannot be elected again.
Regarding a suggestion by Avigdor Lieberman to give Netanyahu immunity in exchange for retiring from political life, Olmert preferred not to respond, calling the question “improper”. He is certain Netanyahu will lose in the upcoming election and then, as a private citizen, whatever occurs will occur.
(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)
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One Response
He cited the fact that three former IDF chiefs of staff exhibiting a willingness to enter into a coalition “with enemies of Israel”, namely the joint Arab list This is the only fact he ever got right, and yes:- Olmert is so correct on this front. Worse than being a disgrace, it is petrifying.
But as far as ending Netanyahu’s time, it is up to the Likud party members and the Israeli voters; Certainly not up to Olmert nor Mandelblit.