Former Israeli prime minister Olmert says 'Israel' entering civil war

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
25 Jul 2023 12:16
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For the former Israeli Prime Minister, the main issue with the judicial overhaul legislation is that it lacks a 'legitimate base'.

In this Dec. 29, 2015 file photo, former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert leaves the courtroom of the Supreme Court after the court ruled on his appeal in the Holyland corruption case in Occupied Al-Quds (AP)

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert told the British news outlet Channel 4 News on Monday that "Israel" is nearing a civil war after the Knesset voted on Monday to pass a bill aiming to undermine the Supreme Court's ability to veto or review decisions made by the ruling echelon.

The Israeli occupation parliament passed in a final vote a bill to restrict the "reasonableness law," implying that the reason of the cabinet surpasses that of the judiciary.

“We are going into a civil war now.”

Former Prime Minister of Israel Ehud Olmert says the country faces civil war as huge protests have flooded the streets in Israel over judicial overhaul. pic.twitter.com/WZ33aItKP7
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 24, 2023

"There is a threat. This is a serious threat," Olmert said. "It’s never happened before and we are going into a civil war now."

Over the past seven months, "Israel" has been shaken by mass rallies over Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's judicial overhaul plan that many among the settler population consider a threat to 'Israeli democracy'.

Thousands have taken to the streets in reaction to the bill and protests later intensified after the cabinet greenlighted the legislation, with IOF reservists threatening to quit and medical staffers voting to strike in reaction to the law.

When asked to clarify his statement, Olmert said, "I mean, civil disobedience with all the possible ramifications to the stability of the state and to the ability of the government to perform and to the obedience of the large part of the Israeli population."

He proceeded to explain that the civil disobedience is directed towards "a government which is perceived by a large part of the population to be illegitimate. [The] government has decided to threaten the foundations of Israeli democracy. And this is not something that we can accept or that we can tolerate."

The interview has solicited multiple negative reactions on the part of viewers, with some writing comments as follows: "This old man is a convicted criminal who was in prison because he took a bribe! in cash envelopes, and you believe such a man?!"

Commentators were recalling the time the former Prime Minister was convicted of bribery and corruption in 2015.

"Prisoner number 9032478," another comment on social media read.

Despite negative reactions, Olmert is the first politician to suggest "Israel" is heading towards a civil war.

Earlier this month, Israeli news website Maariv published a survey conducted by the "Israeli Center for Democracy" on the protests and in preparation for the completion of the legislation on reducing the "reasonableness" clause, a bill that limits some powers of the Israeli Supreme Court.

According to the newspaper, the survey revealed that 45% of settlers believe that there is a high possibility of a violent civil war erupting in "Israel" in the foreseeable future. The survey also showed that 43% of Likud voters believe that the judicial amendments should be abandoned "to enhance national unity," while 70% of respondents considered protests in front of elected officials' residents to be legitimate.

Meanwhile, protests continue to roam the Israeli occupation after the government voted to greenlight the legislation.