Trump Critics Argue Why Some Voters Still Trust Him

In a column published by vg.no, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert argues that the two-state solution remains a viable path forward for the Israel-Palestine conflict despite widespread public resignation and the active opposition of current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government.

Ehud Olmert Argues the Two-State Solution Remains a Viable Option

Writing in vg.no, former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert details a pervasive sense of flat resignation among citizens across the political spectrum in Israel regarding the conflict. Olmert argues that while most Israelis now view the two-state solution as permanently dead, no good alternative exists outside of maintaining a hopeless status quo. During a meeting in Tel Aviv, Olmert maintained his belief in partition, insisting that removing the current administration stands as the primary prerequisite for any diplomatic progress. The former leader labeled cabinet members Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir as fascists and asserted that Netanyahu bears a large responsibility, also for what happened before the Hamas attacks.

Benjamin Netanyahu Accused of Sponsoring Division and Undermining Trust

According to the vg.no report, Netanyahu spent years intentionally cultivating a political split between Hamas in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian Authority on the West Bank to prevent a possible two-state solution. Olmert criticized this strategy, noting that Netanyahu’s past facilitation of funding transfers from Qatar into Gaza demonstrated a fundamental miscalculation. This deliberate fragmentation occurred alongside severe governance challenges within the Palestinian Authority under 90-year-old President Mahmoud Abbas, where corruption and mismanagement have worsened year by year and a lack of elections since 2006 have steadily eroded public trust.

Regional Pressure and US President Donald Trump Form the Basis for Future Hopes

Proponents of a regional approach argue that direct bilateral negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians can no longer succeed on their own, requiring intervention from Arab states including Jordan, Egypt, and Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The vg.no commentary notes that neighboring governments view the ongoing conflict as a source of problems for them, both in the form of wars and conflicts in the Middle East, and in the form of riots and unrest within their own societies. Within this regional framework, some look to US President Donald Trump as an unpredictable catalyst, suggesting his popularity in Israel and potential desire for a legacy if domestic legislative agendas stall could compel him to press for a settlement.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Israeli-Palestinian Political Landscape

What specific criticisms did Ehud Olmert direct at current Israeli leaders?

Olmert labeled cabinet ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben Gvir as fascists and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of enabling Hamas through past financial arrangements while actively blocking the two-state solution.

How long has it been since the last Palestinian election?

The last election in the Palestinian territories was held in 2006, after which internal divisions deepened between the Palestinian Authority on the West Bank and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Which regional countries are viewed as necessary facilitators for future peace talks?

The commentary points to Jordan, Egypt, and Gulf-state nations including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman as actors required to apply pressure on both parties.