Israeli Voices Break Ranks: Olmert, Golan Condemn Gaza War Amid Global Pressure
Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and ex-general Yair Golan join a wave of internal and international criticism, calling Israel's actions in Gaza close to war crimes as Western nations begin to shift their stance.
Watan-In a sharp escalation of internal dissent in Israel, retired general and former deputy army chief Yair Golan declared, “A sane state does not kill children for sport.” His remarks were soon echoed by former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who told the BBC that Israel’s war on Gaza is “very close to a war crime.”
Olmert, a staunch opponent of Benjamin Netanyahu, criticized the ongoing war as aimless and senseless, pointing out the high number of innocent Palestinian and Israeli soldier deaths. As Britain and the EU take tougher stances against Israel, Olmert warned that the war—now in its 19th month—has no clear goal and endangers Israeli hostages.
Despite attacks from across the Israeli political spectrum, Golan has not backed down. He clarified that his criticism targets the political leadership, not the military. The liberal Israeli newspaper Haaretz defended Golan in an editorial, calling his comments truthful and urging others to join the call to end the war and stop the bloodshed.
Internal Israeli Dissent Fuels Global Backlash as Western Allies Reassess Ties
Haaretz even published a provocative cartoon showing Netanyahu atop a pile of Palestinian bodies, pointing at Golan and accusing him of defaming Israeli soldiers. Political analyst Ofer Bronstein compared Israel’s global isolation to apartheid-era South Africa. Other commentators, like Yedioth Ahronoth’s Merav Batito, argued that the horrors Golan described reflect a grim reality that can’t be dismissed.
Meanwhile, extremist MK Limor Son Har-Melech was caught on Israeli Channel 12 admitting that “killing 100 Palestinian children wouldn’t matter to the world”—a comment that shocked audiences globally and is fueling Western outrage.
This growing internal critique appears to be influencing international reactions. European governments, previously muted, are now reconsidering ties with Israel. The EU is reviewing its partnership agreement, while the UK has paused trade deal talks and summoned Israel’s ambassador. London and Paris are also reportedly moving toward recognizing a Palestinian state.
There’s speculation that the U.S. is also shifting. Though officially silent, Washington may be signaling approval of mounting Western pressure on Netanyahu. Gulf states, according to Haaretz, are lobbying Trump’s circle to support an end to the war.
Global Isolation Mounts as Netanyahu Faces Ultimatum and Western Recognition of Palestine Looms
A Haaretz headline today highlights the urgency:“In the Next 48 Hours, Trump Will Have to Decide: Confront Netanyahu or Enable Ethnic Cleansing.”
This comes amid deadlocked Doha negotiations, where Hamas is demanding a complete ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal, while Israel insists on a partial deal to continue the war.
Growing fears inside Israel now center around a “domino effect” of international isolation. Some Israeli analysts even describe the crisis as a looming “political tsunami,” a metaphor reinforced by a Yedioth Ahronoth cartoon depicting massive waves rushing toward Israeli ministers playing war games on the beach.
Olmert’s harsh critique coincided with the UK’s recent sanctions on Israeli settlers and its formal reprimand of Israel’s ambassador in London. France and the UK both announced intentions to recognize a Palestinian state.
In closing, L’Humanité and other European outlets ask: What is the world waiting for? How much more brutality must be documented before action is taken against Netanyahu, who remains under an international arrest warrant?
