Former Israeli prime minister: Israel will be tried and arrest warrants issued for its leaders

Former Israel Prime Minister Ehud Olmert warned Friday that Tel Aviv will eventually be tried and issue arrest warrants for its political and military leaders for crimes committed against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

In an article in Haaretz newspaper, Olmert wrote, “Israel wouldn’t have any defense when accused of crimes against Palestinians in the West Bank”.

In parallel with its devastating war on Gaza since October, the army and Israeli settlers are escalating their attacks in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, killing 571 Palestinians since October 7, in addition to about 5,350 wounded.

Because of the war on Gaza, which has killed more than 126,000 people and wounded people, most of them children and women, Israel is facing genocide charges before the International Court of Justice.

“I issue this warning because if we continue to tolerate crimes against Palestinians in the West Bank, serious and painful sanctions will be imposed on Israel, and we won’t have a good defense,” Olmert wrote.

“Everyone knows the reports about the settlers… Those who attack, loot, destroy, burn and kill innocent people, as well as Israeli soldiers who are unwilling to provide assistance for their crimes,” her added.

“Riots in these places are often attended by Border Police officers, and it’s impossible to obscure the facts that make many of them close one eye, sometimes even two, when criminal acts occur by Jewish rioters next to them”.

“How many of these rioters have been arrested? How many of them are on trial? How many are punished according to the gravity of their actions? Marginal number,” Olmert Asked.

“None of this would have happened without the inspiration, support and support of the country’s top leaders, led by (National Security Minister) Itamar Ben-Gvir, the TikTok minister who controls the government like a violent bully, and with him (Finance Minister) Bezalel Smotrich,” he wrote.

“Smotrich and Ben Gvir support the settlement of Jewish settlers in the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon… For this illusory goal they are encouraging an all-out war in the north, which is unnecessary and unjustified”.

“This government wants a war in the north to achieve its big dream: a war of all against all, mutual destruction, the expulsion of Palestinians and the annexation of Palestinian land to Israel”.

“I warn Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: the day is approaching when arrest warrants will be issued against you for the crimes committed by Israel every day in the West Bank, with the support of its government, while deliberately turning a blind eye,” Olmert said.

In the West Bank, he said, “crimes are committed on a daily basis… by the rioters, who are Israeli citizens, hating Arabs, with the clear intention of expelling them from their homes and the villages in which they have lived all their lives”.

Addressing Netanyahu, he added, “When these accusations are made against you, Mr. Prime Minister, we won’t find among us, or in the international arena that supports us, a single person of conscience who can defend you”.

“I also warn Defense Minister Yoav Galant, who will also be subject to an arrest warrant… He is responsible for security; he can move and fight against the reckless policies of Netanyahu and Smotrich”.

“I warn Ben Gvir, Minister of Threat, Incitement and Hilltop Youth Support, that you won’t avoid arrest warrants… You’ll get arrest warrants from the ICC because of the responsibility you bear and are proud of”.

Olmert also warned Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich against issuing an arrest warrant against him.

“I am warning the heads of the police, border guards and army… You’ll not be able to shirk responsibility for crimes committed against Palestinians territories arrest warrants will also be issued against you, and you will have no real response”.

Olmert concluded, “Indeed, arrest warrants will be issued for the prime minister, leaders, ministers and leaders personally – but it’s the state of Israel that will ultimately be prosecuted”.