Ehud Olmert backs Eisenkot, says Netanyahu is 'on wrong side of history'

Former prime minister Ehud Olmert endorsed Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar Party ahead of the 2026 elections, saying Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is 'on the wrong side of history.' In an interview with Al-Arabiya English, Olmert criticized Netanyahu's AI-generated nuclear explosion post and accused him of lying about destroying Iranian nuclear bombs.

Former prime minister Ehud Olmert endorsed Gadi Eisenkot and his Yashar Party ahead of Israel's 2026 elections, arguing that Eisenkot is better suited to lead the country than his political rivals. In an interview with Al-Arabiya English on Tuesday, Olmert said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is 'on the wrong side of history' while opposition leaders are 'on the right side of history.' Olmert described the upcoming vote as 'perhaps the most consequential elections in the modern history of the Jewish people in the State of Israel.' He criticized Netanyahu's recent social media post featuring an AI-generated image of a nuclear explosion over Tel Aviv, calling it a 'sign of desperation.' Olmert also accused Netanyahu of making false claims about destroying Iran's nuclear capabilities, alleging that Iran never possessed a bomb. On the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Olmert called for advancing a two-state solution and held Netanyahu responsible for policies that preceded the October 7 massacre. He warned that Israeli leaders could face legal consequences if they fail to address settler violence in the West Bank.