Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert Supports UK Ban on Settlement Trade
Ehud Olmert, the ex-Israeli Prime Minister, endorsed a British policy prohibiting trade with West Bank settlements. The former leader described recent actions in the region as an ethnic cleansing effort by Jewish terrorists.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert voiced support for the United Kingdom's new ban on commercial transactions involving illegal settlements in the West Bank. Speaking to The Guardian, Olmert stated that moving toward this prohibition became inevitable due to what he termed a continuous campaign of ethnic cleansing by a group of Jewish terrorists in the West Bank. He claimed that Israeli police and military units have actively assisted these groups over an extended period. Olmert further asserted that the highest levels of government in Israel, including Defense Minister Katz and Prime Minister Netanyahu, continue to support these actions while avoiding necessary measures to stop them. He added that millions of Israelis are appalled by this situation and are resisting the violence. Despite his comments, Olmert emphasized that sanctions target specific terrorists rather than the state of Israel itself. Ed Miliband, the British Foreign Secretary, referenced Olmert's description when announcing the policy. The statement was made while preparations were underway for Israeli elections scheduled to take place late next month.
