Former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is officially out of the
race for Prime Minister. In a special interview on Ynet’s election broadcast, he
explained why he opted out from running for Prime Minsiter as an alternative to
Netanyahu in the upcoming elections.
"I saw a (political) arena I didn’t like. Knesset
members being auctioned off and in my camp there were other considerations that
influenced my decision,” Olmert said.
He also accused Netanyahu for alienating the United Sates
following the UN vote. “Israel is being ruled by a radical far-right leadership
that is getting into a confrontation with the entire international community,”
he said.
On Channel 2 News’ “Meet the Press” program, Olmert also responded
to allegations by the Prime Minister’s Office that he has not missed an
opportunity to attack Netanyahu in recent months.
"This is not a respectable claim,” said Olmert of the
remarks made by the Prime Minister’s Office. "I make my opinion heard in
Israel and abroad. That's what I have to do and I always do it with due respect
to the prime minister."
"I think Israel conducted itself in an inappropriate
manner, and that was indeed a slap in the face of the President of the United
States," said Olmert. "The day after the United States opposed
Abbas’s unilateral move at the UN, we decided to expand construction. This is
misconduct that will isolate Israel in the whole world.”
The Likud responded to Olmert’s allegations, saying he is
the last person who can preach to Netanyahu."Olmert, who incites against Israel around the world,
who caused Hamas to rise to power when he supported the unilateral withdrawal
from Gush Katif and who brought about the Goldstone Report, is the last one who
can preach any morality to the prime minister," said a statement by the
party issued on Saturday night.
