Israel must revive ‘two-state solution’, former PM Ehud Olmert tells FRANCE 24

11:31

In an interview with FRANCE 24, Israel’s former prime minister Ehud Olmert (2006-2009) said he believes Israel will be able to eliminate the military capabilities of Hamas in Gaza. However, he expressed regret at Palestinian civilian casualties from the Israeli offensive and stressed that time was “limited”. Olmert said Israel should now offer to “start negotiations” with the Palestinian Authority, immediately after the war, on a two-state solution. In addition, he claimed that no Arab country would agree to replace the Israeli army in Gaza after the war. This is why he advocates a NATO-led military presence that would usher in a transitional civilian administration before final talks over a Palestinian state. Olmert slammed Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, saying he had failed his citizens and boosted Hamas while weakening the Palestinian Authority. “He is in a nervous breakdown,” Olmert said.