Calling Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan “fair”, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke out criticizing the current administration’s foreign policy, commenting during a Sunday conference at Tel Aviv University.

The former leader, whose name generally appears in the news in connection with one of the fraud investigations or ongoing trial against him decided to slam the policies of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, stating that it is easy to be angry at Erdogan, but he is a fair mediator and Israel must reconcile and permit Turkey to resume its role as mediating talks between Jerusalem and Damascus.

Olmert, who offered most of Yehuda and Shomron to the PA (Palestinian Authority) yet failed in his ‘peace-making’ efforts, called on the Netanyahu administration to return to the negotiating table with the PA, calling peace agreements with Israel’s neighbors “essential”.

Olmert stated that when he was prime minister, he withheld many comments, realizing the value of not commenting, adding this was the case regarding Russia as well, deciding to refrain from openly criticizing state leaders.

He delivered an even more serious blow relating to current policies in Yehuda and Shomron, stating it is known that during his administration construction was taking place but today, with the right-wing government, everything remains at a standstill.

The former prime minister defended his administration’s actions and performance during the Second Lebanon War, and in reference to Gilad Shalit he stated the administration made a “far-reaching” offer towards obtaining his release.

Olmert added that as a former mayor of Jerusalem, he is well equipped to understand the complexities of the issues surrounding the capital, adding he feels that “Arab areas” of the capital should be placed in PA hands while Israel maintain sovereignty over the “Jewish areas”. The religious sites, which would include the Kosel and Har HaBayis, Olmert feels should be placed under international control, a body of five nations which would of course include Israel.

Olmert boasted his visionary abilities, reminding reporters that as far back at 2003 he stated there would be a need to withdraw from most areas of Yehuda and Shomron for he prefers a “Jewish democratic state” over the “Greater Land of Israel” philosophy. He rejects any and all theories that attempt to portray any other alternatives to this problem.

In short, the man who offered Israel’s enemies everything and at the end of the day delivered nothing positive is now publically criticizing the current administration for its policy failures.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)