WASHINGTON, FEBRUARY 7, 2025 – Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has rejected former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for Israel to “take over” Gaza. In an interview with the BBC, Olmert asserted that such a plan could not be implemented because Gaza does not belong to Israel for it to hand over to anyone.
Speaking on BBC’s World News America, Olmert expressed support for U.S. efforts to help rebuild Gaza, but only if it is rebuilt by and for the Palestinian people.
“I heard that America wants Israel to hand over Gaza to them. We cannot do that because Gaza is not ours (Israel’s). Gaza belongs to Palestine,” he firmly stated.
Olmert was a long-time member of the Likud Party, which is now led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for over 30 years. However, in 2006, he and Ariel Sharon left the party to carry out the withdrawal of Israeli forces and settlers from Gaza.
Olmert’s statement further reinforces the claim that Gaza is Palestinian territory that must be rebuilt for the well-being of its people. However, the key question remains: will the world take firm action to uphold Palestinian rights, or will it continue to allow oppression to persist?