Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has strongly criticized current Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for misrepresenting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney as “an enemy of Israel,” calling the framing inaccurate and harmful.
Speaking at an Institute for Peace and Diplomacy conference in Ottawa, Olmert urged Canadians to distinguish between opposing the policies of Israel’s government and opposing the Israeli people. “Don’t oppose the State of Israel and the people of Israel. They are friends of Canada,” he said. “Canada is a friend of Israel and the prime minister of Canada is a friend of Israel.”
Olmert, who led Israel from 2006 to 2009 and pursued peace talks on a two-state solution, has emerged as one of Netanyahu’s fiercest critics since the Israel-Hamas war began nearly two years ago. He said Netanyahu’s far-right cabinet is damaging Israel’s global image, citing mass protests at home and polling that shows most Israelis favor ending the conflict through negotiations.
The former prime minister accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war to preserve his governing coalition and avoid facing corruption charges. He also said unwavering support from U.S. President Donald Trump is emboldening Netanyahu, arguing that Trump thrives on “being against the whole world.”
Olmert defended Prime Minister Carney’s push for a two-state solution and said it remains possible, noting historic reconciliations between nations once bitter enemies. He identified the Palestinian Authority, despite its weaknesses, as the only legitimate representative of Palestinians in any eventual agreement.
The remarks come as Carney has yet to hold a direct conversation with Netanyahu in his first six months in office, despite repeated Canadian attempts to schedule one. Observers noted Netanyahu never offered congratulations after Carney’s April election win and has continued to openly criticize him.
Olmert’s intervention underscores growing divisions within Israel over the government’s strategy and highlights Canada’s evolving role in pressing for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict.