Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert emphasized that there is no substitute for a peaceful resolution based on a two-state solution, commenting on the Gaza agreement.
اضافة اعلان
In an article published by the British Independent, Olmert noted that “the absence of momentum toward a two-state framework recognizing the mutual rights of both sides, if continued, will lead us back to conflict.”
Olmert highlighted that the key question now is whether the temporary ceasefire, the partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and Hamas’ limited ongoing activity could serve as a starting point for a bold political step that transforms the Middle East and achieves Israeli-Palestinian peace based on a two-state solution.
He described the vision for peace as “a Palestinian state alongside Israel, based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, while the Old City remains outside Israeli or Palestinian sovereignty. The Palestinian state would be demilitarized, without its own army, neighboring Israel.”
Ceasefire, Not Peace Agreement
Olmert, who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2009, characterized the Gaza agreement celebrated in the Israeli Knesset as a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty. He explained: “It is an agreement to end the Gaza war, return the prisoners (alive and deceased), release Palestinian detainees, and ensure Israel’s gradual withdrawal from Gaza. The deal includes forming a joint security force of Palestinian, Egyptian, and Jordanian soldiers to maintain military control over Gaza and prevent Hamas from regaining military capabilities. It also calls for a technocratic committee to manage Gaza instead of Hamas, under international supervision including Turkey, Qatar, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, and the U.S. President himself.”
Trump’s Impact
Olmert described the ceasefire arrangement as “an impressive achievement, unexpected just weeks ago due to President Donald Trump.” He noted that international efforts alone had failed to halt the war until Trump intervened, writing: “Had Trump not forced Netanyahu to apologize to the Qatari Prime Minister, we would still be in the midst of conflict. No other leader could have triggered this chain of events but Trump.”
He acknowledged contributions from Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and others in ending the war, but emphasized that only one leader made a radical difference.
Severe Blow to Hamas, But Not Defeated
Olmert pointed out that Trump’s speeches in the Knesset do not yet constitute a political plan, especially after “two bloody years and painful memories of violent conflict.” He wrote that the Israeli government agreed to abandon the hardline positions of Prime Minister Netanyahu. Hamas was not completely defeated but received a severe blow. Gaza was almost entirely destroyed, with many residents likely still buried under rubble.
He added that a significant portion of Gaza’s casualties—more than 67,000—were not involved in terrorism but were victims of the Israeli military campaign that followed the October 7 attack.
Olmert concluded by noting that many Israelis still dream of annexing the West Bank and Gaza entirely and displacing its residents, while many Palestinians hope to restore Hamas’ military capabilities to reignite the conflict. Both populations remain trapped in destructive fantasies, but only Trump, he argued, is capable of effecting a transformation by endorsing “two states for two peoples.”
