Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has expressed concerns about the current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's leadership style, accusing him of prioritizing personal interests over national interests. Olmert stated in an interview that he believes Netanyahu is running the governing coalition and the war in Gaza based on personal needs to remain in power.
According to Olmert, the decision to launch an assault on Rafah was influenced by pressure from National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, who threatened to withdraw support from the coalition if the ground offensive did not proceed. Netanyahu subsequently announced a set date for the assault on Rafah.
Despite facing protests and international pressure, including from the United States, Netanyahu and his coalition have maintained a defiant stance. Olmert predicts that Netanyahu's confrontational approach towards world leaders, particularly President Biden, is driven by a desire to portray himself as the only leader capable of standing up to global pressures.
Olmert believes that Netanyahu's focus on projecting strength in the face of external pressures may ultimately lead to his downfall in Israeli politics. The former Prime Minister suggests that Netanyahu's need to appear as a strong opponent to world leaders could backfire and weaken his position within the government.
